trends in automation

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Kiefel GmbH
Sudetenstraße 3
83395 Freilassing
Germany
Area of business:
Developing and building
systems for thermoforming
and joining polymer films.
“With the VFOF we have reduced
assembly time and installation
space. Instead of three parts, we
now need to install only one.”
Peter Kronawitter, Pneumatics Design Engineer, Kiefel GmbH
Easy to adjust: simple adjustment
of the cylinder speed.
From film to bag
Although the individual systems from Kiefel
are all used to produce different products,
the fundamental automation principle
behind the medical technology machines
is the same. The process is best illustrated
by a new system for manufacturing
infusion bags. In the first step, the film is
unrolled. Dancer rollers perform a buffer
function to cushion the synchronised
motion sequences. They isolate the power
from the machine, which is needed to set
the parent roller in motion. This is followed
by contactless electrostatic cleaning of
the film and application of the product
specific information in the printing station.
The system laterally feeds a film with the
print medium. The inlet and outlet tubes
for fluids such as blood or infusion
solutions are then welded on. In the next
processing step the entire bag is welded
and the cooling systems then reduce the
temperature of the welded sections.
Finally, the bags are separated by
punching or cutting, placed on a conveyor
and transported onwards.
Three functions, one valve
Until a year ago, two pneumatic control
elements – the one-way flow control valve
GRLA and the shut-off valve HGL – were
still required on many cylinders. The GRLA
was used to adjust the flow rate, while
the HGL blocked the flow in one direction.
The blocked connection could be opened
again by a control signal. Both valves are
still installed in systems where called for
by the design specifications. In other areas,
however, the compact, multifunctional
valves VFOF-LE-BAH are used. The new
components integrate three functions:
variable piston speed, short intermediate
stop and individual manual exhaust. The
efficient control element therefore saves
time and money and reduces the
installation space by over 50 per cent. It is
easy to operate and assemble and can be
used everywhere. The pneumatic control
elements offer versatile functionality, are
energy efficient and non-polluting, and
reduce compressed air losses.
Two-thirds less assembly time
For Peter Kronawitter, Pneumatics Design
Engineer at Kiefel, use of the valves
VFOF-LE-BAH has paid off right down the
line. “Previously, our installation
technicians had to install up to three
different parts. Now they install just one
pneumatic component. Assembly now
only takes a third of the time that it used
to”, explains Kronawitter. He also sees
benefits for his company in the extensive
portfolio of Festo pneumatic products and
in the fast, worldwide spare parts delivery
service. “This has permanently reduced
our warehousing requirements”, he says.
With the one-way flow control valve VFOF-
LE-BAH, Festo has opened up new
possibilities in terms of time and space
savings for Kiefel.