Equipment
Preforming production unit
For the production of preforms out of roving the most elaborate unit is needed. For the production of preforms out of fabrics, you do not strictly speaking need a robot. For repeatability is is advisable.
This is one example setting of a typical production unit. Variations of the layout are possible to meet different needs according to available space and organisation. Storage room for preforms, moulds and materials is excluded.
- Preform installation
| 1 | Cabinet with auxiliary equipment and regulating valves |
| 2 | Rotating arm for glass roving input |
| 3 | Robot |
| 4 | Robot controller |
| 5 | Chopper-unit |
| 6 | Preform mould |
| 7 | Production carousel |
| 8 | Glass roving |
| 9 | Air suction unit with filtering system |
| 10 | Hot air blower for manual use |
| 11 | Heating equipment for binder melting |
The chopper unit consists of a solid construction founded on a metal plate. Transmission is supported by reliable heavy duty ball bearings.
One 24 Volt motor drives a cutter roll that chops glass roving to fibers of the desired length. Two inlets supply pressured air towards the exit of the gun for fiber transport. When a powder binder is used, it is supplied through a tube on the side of the chopper unit.
The majority of the parts are internationally available in the market.
For manual operation the chopper gun is equipped with a handle and three electrical switches for the cutter motor, pressured air and binder supply. In case of robot operation the three abovementioned electrical switches are integrated in the I/O system of the robot controller.
Manual operation is possible and practical for testing and trials. Robot operation is highly recommended for serial production since it provides high precision in fiber distribution and standard high quality.
Robot
We recommend the new M series robots from Fanuc. Experience has shown that robot programming is relatively easy and accessible after a three-day training program.
- Robot
Even for limited production series the application of the robot is preferred as the quality of the product is higher and programming time is reasonable. Once a program has been written it is stored and can be used again for recurring orders. With the application of sensors the robot detects the mould and loads the appropriate program. This can also be done through a console where the operator chooses the appropriate program manually.
The robot and manipulator will be delivered already installed on a steel frame connected to the vacuum positioning table for the moulds as a unit.