Transporting of workpieces on the right track – the TrackMotion automation system
TrackMotion is an automation solution that combines the traditional setup of conveyor belts, pick-and-place units and turn-overs into a single system.
The TransLift, a lifting and rotating carriage with programmable electric gripper, races back and forth on a rail (track). The TransLift covers 150 meters per minute, rapidly conveying the parts between the machines and the part-storage unit.
A complete manufacturing system with TrackMotion consists of three perfectly coordinated units: the modular machine tools (e.g. the VL 4 for chucked parts up to 200 mm in diameter), the TrackMotion automation system, and the infeeding and outfeeding conveyors. These conveyors, which act as storage units for the parts, can be laid out flat (for large workpieces) or in a three-dimensional structure as “stackers” for smaller workpieces. The latter option in particular offers huge performance in a very small space, allowing several hundred workpieces to be stored ready for processing. For this purpose, the TransLift is equipped with a Z-axis that permits lifting up to 650 mm. In addition, the gripper can turn over the workpiece, and thus replaces traditional conveyor belts, pick-and-place units, and flip-over units.
This allows the setting up of extremely "lean" assembly lines, since both the modular machines and the TrackMotion system have a very small footprint.
Main features of the TrackMotion automation system
- TrackMotion is equipped with its own control unit that communicates with the machines via an interface
- The TrackMotion control also controls infeeding and outfeeding conveyors or stackers
- TransLift in two different sizes
- Size 4 - 20: VL 2 / VL 4
- Size 8 - 70: VL 6 / VL 8
- Two available gripper sizes with two sets of jaws each, matching the maximum workpiece diameters of the VL series
- Up to two TransLifts can operate on the same rail system
- Gripper pivoting ± 180 °
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Advantages
- Minimum tooling times – just enter the workpiece height and diameter, and TrackMotion is ready for operation
- High reliability because of simple and sturdy design
- Fast automation due to high travel speeds of 150 m/min horizontal and 25 m/min vertical
- Positioning and turning over of workpieces in one operation
- Space-saving layout because TrackMotion is installed entirely behind the machines
- Measuring devices, marking systems, cleaning machines and many other functions can be integrated
- Easy to service – TrackMotion can be accessed from all sides
