In connected factories, everything must interact dynamically, seamlessly and quickly. The same applies in intralogistics too. The aim is to ensure short throughput times in production by optimizing material flows. ctrlX FLOWHS is the key here – a linear motion system which brings flexibility and high speed to manufacturing, with maximum precision and reduced space requirements. In the interview, Rob Bierbooms, product manager ctrlX FLOWHS, gives an insight into current intralogistics requirements and explains why ctrlX FLOWHS and ctrlX FLOW6D are the solution.
The supply chain problems of recent years have prompted companies to rethink their entire supply chain, including production and transport routes. This change is influencing the design and operation of production sites, with a clear trend towards greater automation and efficiency as well as higher throughput. These requirements need to be met in more complex production lines that combine robots, high-speed machines and manual stations.
On top of this, there is the increasing individualization of products and the associated production of smaller series. This requires reliable and quick solutions for product transport along the production line. At the same time, flexibility is needed here. After all, product adaptations involve changes to production processes that need to be implemented quickly with the help of software. The ultimate aim is to reduce overall complexity and combine several functions in a single machine.
This is where ctrlX FLOWHS comes in. The linear high-speed motion system makes it possible to optimize production processes and react flexibly to new requirements.
ctrlX FLOWHS is a space-saving high-speed system which can be configured flexibly for various topologies and thus applications. It is also 100 percent integrated into ctrlX AUTOMATION and benefits from the system’s openness and security as well as the entire ecosystem. It gives users unrestricted access to a wide range of functions.
The linear motion system functions according to the modular principle and is designed for modular configuration. It can be used for applications both inside and across machines. A typical application is the direct feeding of products into a production line, which eliminates the need for complex robots to remove and place components. At the same time, power ovals in the machine can easily be combined with conventional conveyor systems for example to perform tasks such as forming product stacks. These applications require high power, speed and precision. ctrlX FLOWHS meets all of these requirements.
Through the use of the linear motion system, the internal machine transport processes between the workstations can easily be expanded to include additional applications, for example in bottling lines. Bottles are gripped between two movers, transported to a filling station, labeled in another, checked in a third and bundled together with other bottles in the last. If the bottle size in this line is to be changed, only the distance needs to be adjusted in the software.
Product transport between machines is optimized by ctrlX FLOWHS as products can be moved through the factory at high speed and transported flexibly to various stations, possibly with the help of a diverter. This means that queues can be avoided by using a parallel route. These applications underline the versatility and adaptability of ctrlX FLOWHS.
Both ctrlX FLOWHS and the planar system ctrlX FLOW6D offer solutions to improve throughput and flexibility. ctrlX FLOWHS can handle rapid product transport between process stations and modifications to the flow.
ctrlX FLOW6D expands this solution and increases the flexibility of production lines. With the planar system, we have raised contactless, high-performance transport and positioning to the next level. Free-floating transport platforms, so-called movers, are moved on a horizontal, vertical or overhead working surface. Each mover acts in six degrees of freedom at high speed and with great precision, without any friction or pollution.
The classic line is more or less supplanted and replaced by a self-sufficient area where products can pass through the line individually. This allows for example a larger bottle to be filled twice or products to be rotated during operation. The system also allows products that fail the quality test to be retested or removed from the production line. This highly adaptable production line has the potential to fundamentally change the conventional production methods of current lines.
The combination of both products combines the best of both worlds and can therefore lead to highly flexible production processes.
If you have any questions or require further information regarding ctrlX AUTOMATION, please contact us:
Rob Bierbooms
Game Changer
ctrlX FLOWHS
„Openness is everything“ – this is the motto of the ctrlX AUTOMATION magazine 2023/2024. This year, it´s all about openness and co-creation, which enables a completely new world of automation. Furthermore, there will be innovations of the product portfolio, exciting case studies and expert opinions on digitalization and connectivity.
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