Automation and robotics for footwear
Automation and robots are vital for shoe production that places high demands on quality, productivity and efficiency. With its incorporation, productions can increase up to 30%. Costs are reduced, horizons for innovative solutions are broadened and opportunities for completely new concepts are opened up. There are robots to spray adhesives; to place release agents in moulds; to collect and place parts and components -pick place-; to position inserts; to control pouring heads in injection systems; for roughing and gluing; to trim, etc. In short, most of the operations for the manufacture of footwear can be automated through robots.
Indistinctly, the automation systems are applicable both for shoe production by injection to the upper, as well as for independent soles. Whether in polyurethane, thermoplastic or rubber materials. In each case, it will be necessary to plan a personalized automation according to the characteristics of the products and the requirements of the industry.
To do this, DESMA from Germany has created a robot programming and operation system, adaptable to different productions.
It has been specially developed for the needs of the footwear industry. The highest ease of use has been combined with the most modern control technology, which requires the least programming effort, without production interruptions.
Operation is simple and runs on a graphical touch screen, logical icons and an intuitive program sequence, without requiring much programming knowledge on the part of the operator. System operation can be achieved after an extremely short training time, anywhere in the world. The system offers a wide variety of languages. Only those parameters that are necessary for shoe production are displayed.
This special software for higher-level robot programming immediately receives data and information from DesmaGRC -Graphical Robot Control- for the definitive programming of the corresponding operations. Offline control and programming allow program modifications and changes without production interruptions.
This new generation technology offers increased operating speed and individual axes can be moved faster. The memory is updated automatically and dynamically. Having only the modules that are currently needed in the robot's memory dramatically speeds up program execution.
Perfectly combined with each other, DEScom® and DesmaGRC® offer a time-saving alternative to conventional learning systems and thus lower costs. The combination of programming and simulation not only saves time, but also minimizes machine downtime.
Other system benefits include data backup, remote data management, and direct migration of CAD data from mold production.
Everything works on a standard PC with Windows user interface and useful standard modules like grading, mirroring and offline functions.
These DESMA robots spray the moulds in productions with polyurethanes with release agents, using spray technology, with and without electrostatics.
The release agent is applied with high precision in the area where it is needed, minimizing its consumption, whether it is based on water or wax, silicone or others. Thus, adherence of the injected PU to the mould is systematically avoided, and demoulding is facilitated, avoiding damage to the finished soles. Low release agent consumption leads to longer mould life. The investment in robots to spray the release agent pays off faster by reducing the consumption of release agent.
Roughing, plus the action of the adhesive, allow an optimal bond between upper and sole.
Each material must be worked with a different speed, and the contact pressure of the tools must be adjusted individually. The force of the roughing robot is carefully controlled, while it drives the head with a rotary tool. The contact force is variable within the contour.
It is the option of the Combi robot, a multifunctional equipment, which executes two production steps. A single robot using a combined head for roughing and adhesive spraying. Both cycles are performed with high precision.
RELATED ARTICLE:
- In September, DESMA restarts its House Fair in Germany
Participate with your content in SERMA.NET and in our printed edition.
It is the opportunity to reach your customers!
Write us! marketing@serma.net