trends in automation

39 / 44

Setting standards
The new assembly lines for electric connectors are not just setting
high standards from a technical point of view, they are also a modu­
lar and scalable automation concept. The three main stations for
inserting the pin contacts into the connector housings, press-fitting
the pins and bending the pins are based on modules with as many
standard parts as possible:
• All three stations have a common base plate.
• The moulded connector bodies are moved using the compact
handling system YXMx.
• All the electric and pneumatic actuators are controlled by a con­
troller CECC-X in combination with a valve terminal CPX/MPA.
• The press-fitting and bending stations use the servo press kit YJKP. Modular design: the three stations of the Gecko assembly line for
inserting, press-fitting and bending the contact pins – designed using
standard components from Festo.
Harwin plc Europe
Fitzherbert Road, Farlington
Portsmouth, PO6 1RT
United Kingdom
Area of business:
Manufacturer of electric
connectors and mechanical
components for PCBs
Everything under control with the servo press kit
YJKP: controller CECC-X and motor controller CMMP
including application software.
for manufacturing the connectors consists
of three central stations: for inserting,
press-fitting and bending the contact pins.
In the first station, the workpiece carriers
are equipped with the connector housings
and are positioned using the compact
handling system YXMx so the contact pins
can be inserted. In the second station, the
servo press presses the contact pins into
the connector housing. The precision grip­
per HGPT from Festo locates the work­
piece carriers holding the connector hous­
ings while the pins are fitted.
Dynamic and precise
The kinematics of the compact handling
system enable dynamic and precise move­
ment and ensure the connectors are pre­
cisely placed under the press-fitting tool.
This works flawlessly thanks to the low
moving mass.
The modular servo press kit YJKP consists
of a closed-loop servo motor, a mechanical
axis, a motion controller, force detection
as well application software. The result is
precise, powerful and gentle movement of
the pins to the correct position. Evaluation
functions such as insertion or block force
monitoring by the application software
supplied detect whether the fit is within
tolerance.
Modular and reliable
The handling system and the servo press
kit are also used in the last station for
bending the contact pins to the required
angle. The CoDeSys software in the con­
troller CECC-X allows comprehensive
control of the servo press profile, provid­
ing position and force control throughout
the cycle.
The application software supplied with the
servo press makes programming extremely
easy thanks to an intuitive graphical user
interface. It makes it easy to adapt the
press profile to the different connector vari­
ants without the need for special program­
ming skills. Three valve terminals CPX
controlled by the master controller CECC-X
actuate the numerous electric and pneu­
matic grippers and actuators.
“The automated modular concept en-
sures low production costs and high reli­
ability, precision, repetition accuracy and
flexibility,” explains automation expert
McGuinness.
1.2017 trends in automation
Synergies 38 – 39