Heat Staker Machine.
Controls were developed for this machine which welds 4 plastic lugs
using a heatstaking process.
The operator loads two components into a nest
then activates the two handed start. The nest advances
into the work area and the guard closes. The closure
of the guard initiates the rest of the process.
The components are lifted up and presented into a
stream of hot air which softens the plastic pips.
The heater then moves away and another tool swages
out the soft plastic to weld the two components
together.Technology Used. Leicester hot air tools and blowers were used to provide hot air. The setting up of each machine was critical, too hot or too fast an air flow and the surounding plastic melted; too cool and the process failed. Experiments were carried out to optimise both airflow and heat delivered from each heater nozzle. The PLC used was a Mitsubishi FXo. |