Automated Engineering Systems

Our automation system performs two main functions: an accurate component feed and removal process (component handling) and the accurate repeated movement of the mixing head. This integration into a production process must take into account at least as many criteria as the requirements profile for the material formulation.

The Sonderhoff technology portfolio demonstrates the unique ability of Henkel's experts to think about the material, machine, and automation in context – and to exploit the potential offered by their perfect interaction.

In order to determine the type and constructive design of the mixing and dosing system, fundamental questions about whether the mixing head will be moved over, what automation will be used, and how these will link to work processes both before and after implementation must be answered. However, this also depends on how the system can be best integrated into the customer-specific production process.

We offer many options and even more industry-specific experience for the design of your customized automation. Whether you need a semi-automatic stand-alone solution or integration into fully automatic production lines - the Sonderhoff specialists will always have the right solution.

In line with your production concept, the automation of the mixing head movement and positioning processes can be carried out with our CNC-controlled 3-axis linear robots, the 2-axis mixing head traversing unit, or with commercially available 6-axis robots.

Whether it is better to move the mixing head above the component or move the component by a 6-axis robot under a fixed mixing head is a matter of science, part geometry and experience. However, many aspects play a role here, such as the size, weight, geometry of the component, the speed at which the contour is to be run off, the dimension of the contour, and different seals per component – but above all, the requirements for integration into the customer-specific production steps before and after.

By intelligently linking the automated movements before, during, and after processing, customized plant layouts can be designed for both autonomous production units and fully integrated inline production steps. For complex movements that combine several steps – component pretreatment (e.g. plasma, primer), material dosing application, stacking – elegant solutions can be implemented with 6-axis robots.

Automation With 6-Axis Robots

The DM 50x mixing and dispensing machine can also be operated with the use of 6-axis robots for parts handling and mixing head guidance.

Here we cooperate with renowned manufacturers such as ABB and Kuka and can provide successful references for automation with 6-axis robots.

With 6-axis robots, both the mixing head and the component can be guided. Elegant solutions can thus be implemented with 6-axis robots, particularly for geometrically demanding components with difficult-to-access contours or multiple applications on different sides of a part.

By intelligently linking automated movements before, during and after the application process, customized system layouts can be designed, both as stand-alone production units or fully automated and integrated inline production.

Shuttle Tables WT 1-LEVEL and WT 2-LEVEL

The shuttle and sliding table concept enables the continuous processing of parts by two pick-up plates in shuttle mode. These are located next to each other on one level, in the case of WT 1-LEVEL, or above each other on two levels, in the case of WT 2-LEVEL. The insertion area for the components is separated clearly and safely away from the traversing area of the CNC robots. The shuttle tables have a stable aluminum base frame with leveling feet. The aluminum pick-up plates are prepared with a hole pattern for attaching the workpieces or workpiece fixtures.