trends in automation

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With a modular design that makes them
suitable for use as both a valve terminal
and individual valves, solenoid valves
VUVG combine high performance with
short switching times and minimum
space requirements. Another important
argument in favour of choosing Festo as
a technology partner was the global
availability of spare parts.
As innovative technology partners and
suppliers of high-quality products, Festo
and Dürkopp Adler both benefited from
stepping up their cooperation. For ex-
ample, as the relative humidity in textile
production facilities in the Far East
requires greater protection for machines,
the IP class of the solenoid valves VUVG
was increased to IP65.
Speed and force
The high energy density of pneumatic
components comes into its own when
operating different industrial sewing
machines. In addition to greater speed,
the high pneumatic forces ensure clean
cutting. Cutting blades, punching tools
and cutting blocks cut through even the
strongest of fabrics in a matter of se-
conds. Compact and with high flow rates,
solenoid valves VUVG can be integrated
not only into new product developments,
but also into existing automatic sewing
machines. In the automatic double-chain-
stitch eyelet buttonholer 581,
the solenoid valves type VUVG control
all pneumatically driven functions. These
include cutting and punching to separate
the fabric as well as the pneumatic ad-
justment of the cutting/punching device
itself depending on the size and type of
buttonhole. The spreading and clamping
of the fabric before stitching the button-
hole are also pneumatically controlled.
A further pneumatic clamping mechanism
stops the fabric after the buttonhole is
produced and pulls it forward slightly
so that the thread can be cut off. The
thread tensioning is then switched off
by a pneumatic cylinder.
Good prospects
The new automatic double-chainstitch
eyelet buttonholer 581 is, according to
Dürkopp Adler, the world’s fastest ma-
chine of its kind. The faster the system,
the greater the customer benefits and
therefore the company’s competitive
edge. The increasing degree of automa-
tion in the garment industry also means
opportunities for textile firms in European
countries to move production back closer
to home. A good 90 per cent of the tech-
nology used in the textile market in the
Far East is high-tech made in Germany.
Dürkopp Adler believes there is potential
for further cooperation with Festo, and
hopes to build on the relationship in
the future. The newly developed basic
solenoid valve VUVG-…-S has a crucial
role to play. It features a selection of core
functions and significantly reduces cost
pressure, particularly in the production of
automatic sewing machines with a minimal
range of functions.
Dürkopp Adler AG
Potsdamer Straße 190
33719 Bielefeld
Germany
Area of business:
Development and production
of modern sewing technology
Powerhouse in a small space
Compact, high flow rate and low cost. The solenoid valve
VUVG is ideal for small parts assembly and electronics
and for the food and packaging industry. Electrically and
pneumatically actuated, the solenoid valve VUVG can
be used as both an individual valve and a valve terminal.
One of the unique characteristics of this valve is its
optimised footprint with an excellent size/performance
ratio. Compact and made from lightweight aluminium,
the VUVG saves space in the system and reduces weight.
Its 10 bar technology ensures accelerated cycle times,
smaller cylinder sizes and a higher energy density.
The patented cartridge principle makes the solenoid
valve VUVG extremely durable and very reliable.
Meeting of automation experts: Dürkopp Adler Head of Development
Markus Richter (centre) and Development Engineer Artur Hinkelmann (left)
together with Viktor Peters, Sales Engineer Automation Technology at Festo.
Solenoid valve VUVG
2.2016 trends in automation
Synergies 32 – 33