IAL help keep Yaris drivers in the dry

Industrial Automation Ltd has developed an automatic drill and clip insertion machine for manufacturers of automotive sealing systems. It is the first machine of its kind to feature a special camera system which ensures that each clip is positioned accurately to within 1.5mm. This is significant for manufacturers of door and window sealing systems, because if the clip is positioned incorrectly, it will not align with the corresponding hole on the window frame, door or boot. This is not an uncommon problem for manufacturers because of the natural variations in rubber.

The first two machines have been installed at Toyoda Gosei in Rotherham. Toyoda Gosei manufacture weather strips for the automotive sector and already use a number of IAL’s machines which automatically drill and insert clips into continuous rubber extrusion. The new machine will be used to provide sealing systems for over 1,000 cars per day – including three and five door variations of the Toyota Yaris. The line runs for 24 hours a day, for either five or six days a week, depending on production requirements.

The new machine incorporates a camera system and backlighting to assess a silhouette of the strip and clip. A computer calculates the number of pixels between two datum, calculates the distance in millimetres and if any reading is plus or minus the user set tolerance, the part is rejected. Thankfully, errors are rare thanks to the reciprocating gripper and actuated guides for the profile feed, combined with the servo driven motors. Other features include the ability to cut to pre-determined lengths, colour marking, labelling, length checking and remote VPN access. The machines are fully-programmable via a touch-screen and quick change tooling offers maximum flexibility to suit batch and cell production. The machine is capable of drilling and inserting 10 clips/pegs into a metre length of extrusion in just 21 seconds and to help maintain this work rate, the bowl feeders can feature automatic ‘unjamming’.

A range of options such as electronic drill heads and accessories such as infeed decoilers and outfeed conveyors are available to integrate the unit into existing production lines and to maximise productivity. Further information is available from IAL on (0115) 8400500.

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