Location: Michigan, USA
Customer: Automotive sheet metal
stampers
Key benefits: Resists heat up to 900°C
(1652°F)
Case study
Requirement
With the advent of NHTSA Standard #216
"Roof Crush Resistance" in 2009, automotive
stampers found themselves faced with
the requirement to produce more hot
formed parts in order to increase structural
strength while keeping vehicles lightweight.
Standard transfer grippers fared poorly with
this increased exposure to extreme high
temperatures. The customer needed grippers
that could operate consistently at 600°C
(1112°F). They also wanted sensors that
could confirm the grippers were holding a
blank and detect double blanks. And they
wanted to integrate the new grippers into
existing hot forming transfer systems.
Solution
IMI Precision Engineering used their expertise
in tooling, pneumatics and sensor technology
to create a gripper package that exceeds
customer requirements. The gripper operates
at 600°C (1112°F) and even survives
temperatures up to 900°C (1652°F). It can be
supplied with a sensor on top for part sensing
or double blank sensing. The gripper is capable
of 450 pounds grip force, the highest force
available for any gripper this size. And with all
the pneumatics, fittings, airlines and electric
cables in a package on the rear of the gripper
or in steel tubes and heat sleeves, the system
eliminates failure points common to most other
hot forming transfer systems.
Hot forming gripper meets challenge
of extreme operating environments
Engineering
GREAT
Solutions
Sector image used under license
from Shutterstock.com
© Norgren, Inc. 2016
