Customer Success StoryFlex­i­bility for every cell

Mr. Rombach, why did you switch from the proven SRU-plus swivel module to the SRM unit?

In our flex­ible cells, we handle very small as well as rela­tively large parts. One single automa­tion solu­tion needs to be able to cover this perfor­mance spec­trum on one machine. We had designed the SRU-plus ourselves, but it was simply too small and could not provide the neces­sary power. But with the limited instal­la­tion space, we could not install a larger unit.

Then came the solu­tion that saved the day when SCHUNK recom­mended the newly dimen­sioned SRM to us. This swivel module is now avail­able in all step sizes, meaning we have been able to access the size that suits us best.

Despite the rela­tively small instal­la­tion space, the SRM provides higher maximum moments and better damping, and runs with absolute stability.

“Despite the relatively small installation space, the SRM provides higher maximum moments and runs with absolute stability.”

Marco Rombach

Do you also use the SRM swivel unit in other appli­ca­tions?

The SRM has come into use throughout our company ever since then, because it enables a down­ward leap in size with greater power density at the same time. Since our core concept is to build compact cells that are also easy to inte­grate into the customer’s space, instal­la­tion space is always an issue for us. We always need full perfor­mance in the smallest possible space. That’s why the SRM has come at just the right time for us.

It is notice­able that several SCHUNK modules are used in each system, both grip­pers in all versions and swivel units. Are there no alter­na­tives for you?

Perhaps there are alter­na­tives. But what we need is absolute reli­a­bility, and we find that with SCHUNK compo­nents. Our customers depend on reli­a­bility. Their systems run 24/7 all year round. Maximum throughput, no down­time and high flex­i­bility are the
spec­i­fi­ca­tions.

Reli­a­bility is at the top of the list, and we don’t allow ourselves any exper­i­ments here, because the customer needs the best possible delivery perfor­mance. And we can only achieve this with top quality, which is why we rely on SCHUNK.

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Source of inno­va­tion in the Black Forest

Black Forest Smart Automa­tion – BFSA – is an automa­tion specialist based in Löffingen, Germany. The core of the solu­tions is the “smart cell”, which can be equipped in a customer-specific and modular way depending on the appli­ca­tion. In compact Euro pallet size, it can be inte­grated into existing processes and expanded as required.

This results in flex­ible and modular cells for palletizing, stacking, cleaning, labeling, debur­ring or handling in different indus­tries.

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The SRM rotary module: versa­tility in modules.

The swivel unit SRM 25 offers BFSA maximum flex­i­bility.

BFSA has inte­grated the SRM 25 into a customized automa­tion cell and supple­mented it with a variety of SCHUNK grip­pers. In this cell, pre-turned parts are fed to a knurling machine. The SRM swivel unit then performs a crucial func­tion in the cell: when the knurled compo­nent is removed from the machine, it is pointing down­ward; for place­ment on the conveyor belt, the swivel unit rotates it upwards by 180 degrees.

The SRM 25 swivel unit in use at BFSA:

Due to the tight instal­la­tion space at this pick-and-place station, the focus of BFSA for the cell design was on perfor­mance and compact­ness. Since SCHUNK has been offering the SRM pneu­matic swivel module in all sizes as of this year, BFSA can use it instead of the SRU-plus module it orig­i­nally used.

The greater torque of the SRM module and the high energy absorp­tion of the shock absorbers mean that the compo­nents are set down precisely and gently. “We get higher perfor­mance within the same instal­la­tion space, and we can easily handle swiveling the eccen­tric load beyond the twelve o’clock point,” confirms Rudolf Martin, Design and Manu­fac­turing Manager at BFSA.

BFSA also relies on SRM modules in a labeling cell. Here, turned parts are guided by SCHUNK SRM 16 swivel modules in perfect inter­ac­tion with the PGN-plus‑P parallel grip­pers and the PZN-plus three-jaw gripper precisely through the labeling process and on to the next machining step.