WEISS Assembly Automation Modules - Perfect Partners in Automation

Flexibility and Accuracy at High Speed

Assembly automation systems historically have been designed and built to manufacture a single component variant, especially if the production volumes were relatively high. However, the need to reduce capital expenditure, reduce payback times and improve ROI means that it can be more difficult to justify an assembly system for a single component variant. In addition the traditional concept of a rotary indexing machine for assembly operations can often limit opportunities to produce additional variants due to fixed indexing pitches and limited space. By combining the programmable flexibility of the WEISS HP140 Pick and Place unit with the multi-pitch flexibility of the LS280 linear indexing system, a fast and highly flexible assembly system can be configured. This will enable the manufacture of multiple product variants and also have the capability to deal with differing process times.
Driven by highly dynamic linear motors the HP140 is extremely fast even when operating under load. With acceleration of 40m/s2 and speeds of 4.0 m/s, fast cycle times are easily achieved. The typical cycle time for a pick and place operation, carrying a 1.0kg payload and with vertical stroke of 40mm and a horizontal stroke of 120mm is an impressive 0.64 seconds.

The other half of this perfect partnership is the WEISS LS280 high speed linear transfer system. The LS280 comprises of assembly modules which use indexing scrolls to transport work carriers through the system. Capable of up to 60 smooth indexing cycles per minute the performance of the LS280 clearly exceeds that of traditional linear indexing systems, which reach their limits at around 20 cycles per minute. The LS280 concept also allows several work carriers to be indexed through the system at the same time. With four different precision indexing pitches available – 70mm, 140mm, 280mm and 560mm, the system can accommodate different assembly or process times without compromising the overall machine cycle time and output. For example:- A simple part transfer or assembly operations can be performed with the work carriers indexing through a single HP140 Pick and Place station on a 70mm pitch, working on one assembly at a time, and achieving a 1.0 second cycle. For more complex assembly operations or process operations, the work carriers can be indexed at a greater pitch through multi-tooled stations. These stations, with multiple HP140 units, can be used to process perhaps 2 or 4 parts for each index, thus providing a greater time to perform the required operation, but still achieving the overall output of 1.0 second for each individual part.

This same combination of pitch options can also be used to enable the system to process more than one part variant. For example:- A work carrier with 4 component location positions would use 2 of these locations for Part Type, “A” and the remaining 2 for Part Type “B”. With a 140mm pitch and multiple HP140 pick and place units, the system can therefore be used to manufacture 2 different part variants without the need for tooling or gripper changes. By combining the programmable flexibility of the HP140 with the multiple pitch capability of the LS280, WEISS can clearly demonstrate that it is possible to configure a high speed – high precision assembly system which will deal with differing assembly or process times and multiple part variants.

Maintenance free with high reliability

The design of the LS280 enables maintenance free three shift operation, due to a combination of hardened and ground bearing tracks and a fully integrated central lubrication system. With a minimum of moving parts, built in overload protection and no seals or shock absorbers to wear out, the HP140 is a robust and reliable solution to high speed assembly applications. WEISS also offer an automatic greasing function for the HP140 which makes the unit maintenance free over its long lifespan. The precision, quality and reliability of its product range have earned WEISS the reputation as first choice for indexing solutions and automation modules throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
DVD’s are available on the LS280 high speed linear transfer system and the HP140 programmable Pick and Place unit. To obtain a copy of these or for further information on the full range of WEISS products, please contact us.