SMC PRESS AUTOMATION ENSURES PROCESS STABILITY
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Be always one step ahead. SMC PRESS AUTOMATION ENSURES PROCESS STABILITY HIGHLIGHTS » Dedicated cutting technology with round knife » Generic AutoCut software for easiest programming allowing fast and material-saving operations » Advanced AutoCut system with weight compensation function for ideal molding results » Specific gripper design and manufacturing by Schmidt & Heinzmann » Fastest prodcut change over without need for reprogramming » Fastest cycle times and highest production outputs due to shortest mold opening times When processing SMC material in the premium segment of passenger cars, OEMs are continuously increasing their quality standards, especially when process stability, high surface quality, tight tolerances of weight, shape and position as well as economical production are the focus. A leading European molding company and Tier-1 supplier has, together with Schmidt & Heinzmann, overcome these challenges by using press automation. » Reduction of 6 operators in 3-shift production » ROI < 1.7 years » High cell availability with lowest scrap rate SMC semi-finished material (Sheet Molding Compounds), made from thermoset resin and glass fibers, has proven itself for years for the production of fiber-plastic composites. In industries such as the automotive and commercial vehicle, as well as rail road, electronics or construction, the material has estabished itself due to its high durability, low weight, good shape and high surface quality. This material is particularly popular for the production of hoods, roofs, coverings and trunk lids of passenger cars. To keep the product specifications and to remain economical at the same time, it makes sense to automate the manufacturing processes. “Schmidt & Heinzmann has been a reliable and valued supplier of ours for years. One again, Schmidt & Heinzmann delivered an innovative and robust production cell.“ A Tier-1 supplier made this decision. The developer and manufacturer of high-quality composite parts optimizes his production with a new press automation. The system consists of a cutting unit, scales, several cooling units, which are adapted to the products, and an outlet conveyor belt. The handling within the production cell will be done by two industrial robots. The system is one of the first press automations at this location. This process step has largely been carried out manually up till now. With the new press automation components, trunk lids, amongst others, will be produced as an OEM in the premium segment in the future.

High product quality starting with the first process step The SMC material is delivered, in jumbo rolls, to the press companies, and is protected against drying out by films on both sides. The films will be removed and unwound before cutting, and the flat molding material will be fed into the cutting unit. “In this case the customer decided to use the cutting unit ‘AutoCut’,” explains Martin Stehle, Project Manager from Schmidt & Heinzmann. “This 2D free-form cutting unit is specifically designed for usage in automated production cells and for geometrically challenging cuts of SMC or other...

Subsequently the SMC cuts are formed and cured into the final component using a hydraulic press under the pressure and temperature which is required for the component. Due to the good flowability of the material, complex geometries, jumps in wall thickness, ribs and the integration of metallic inserts are also possible. After around 2 minutes the pressing process including the hardening of the material is completed. Then the handling robot takes the component again out of the press and places it for cooling down onto the cooling station to prevent warping. After reaching the desired...

World-class SMC production equipment for manufacturing of glass and carbon fiber SMC material and parts. Automation of processes for FRP product manufacturing. CUTTING & STACKING FIBER PROCESSING High volume manufacturing line for efficient and economic fiber cutting and stacking production. Proven solutions for fiber cutting and fiber spraying. Innovative production cell for dry fiber fabric preforming. Unit for precise bonding of multiple FRP and metal components. Schmidt & Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG Schmidt & Heinzmann North America Inc. Schmidt & Heinzmann Shanghai Co. Ltd Vichystraße 12...