Rolling energy chains for fast handling of metal sheets

With the "high-speed liner feeder" of Schuler Automation GmbH & Co. KG, press lines can be operated that ensure a very high degree of economic efficiency, yielding 15 to 17 parts a minute. Developed for the automotive industry and its parts suppliers, it can be used for other applications as well as for the feeder.

Dynamic supply of plates

The technical advantages of the current new development of Schuler Automation are mainly to be found in the dynamic values. The aim was to increase the yield even further. This meant that all components had to withstand extremely high speeds and rates of acceleration.

Fast, quiet profile rol energy chain
The upper run and lower run of the energy chain of the "P4" system are offset from each other when they are rolling. As a result, the tribologically optimized plastic profile rollers are not rolled over but roll on a continuously wide surface, as a result of which the service life of the energy chain is increased even further. In addition, the pitch of the chain links is the same with or without roller, which means that, radially, the moving energy chain is especially quiet and vibration-free. The rollers themselves are permanently integrated into the side sections. On request, the system can also be supplied with cable-friendly "auto-glide" crossbars and a special trough system.
 
Ten meters per second

These features are the right ones for the "high-speed linear feeder". Sascha Verch, responsible for mechanical design at Schuler Automation: "Dynamic responsiveness is central. As regards plate handling, the speed and acceleration used to be 6 m/s and 16 m/s2 respectively and are now 10 m/s and 20 m/s2 respectively." The total travel is 10.5m whereby the energy chain is 6.2m long. When the system was being designed, a decision was made in favor of a "P4.56" energy chain (inner height of 56mm) on the basis of tests carried out in advance. The profiled rollers roll on a specially designed metal sheet in the unsupported area of the energy chain. As a result, heat and therefore wear is minimized due tothe high dynamic values and the upper run of the energy chain is reliably guided.