Schmalz launched its SCTMi Compact Terminal at EuroBLECH in Hanover

GLATTEN,  27-10-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Schmalz, the vacuum specialist, presented its SCTMi Compact Terminal at EuroBLECH in Hanover. The terminal can be installed on a universal component gripper, for example, and accommodates up to 16 ejectors. This allows users even greater flexibility and enlarges their area of application significantly.

Increasing variant variety is not only a trend in the automotive industry. In other sectors, the trend of producing several variants for one product is taking on momentum – and going hand in hand with process cost optimization. Handling technology is being faced with the challenge of developing a universal gripper solution for handling different goods. Schmalz’s innovation also targets this direction. The SCTMi Compact Terminal consists of several block-mounted, intelligent compact ejectors. It can be used on universal component grippers, for example. The terminal can be equipped with up to 16 ejectors. This means that a maximum of 16 individual vacuum circuits can be implemented, which enlarges the area of application to a significant extent.

The terminal is supplied by only one compressed air line and can be integrated into a field-bus system via I/O link with only one electrical connection. The advantages of the lean, standardized communication interface: the cost of wiring falls and users can use standard cable and replace components more easily. The low number of interfaces also increases system availability while reducing the costs of project planning and design at the same time. Schmalz also wanted the terminal to be as lightweight as possible. The resulting improvement in speed increases productivity and shortens process cycles.

The compact terminal is making an important contribution to increasing the level of interconnection in lean production processes. Each ejector is equipped with an intelligent energy and process control: the vacuum circuits can be actuated and monitored individually. The ejectors provide relevant process data and take on extensive tasks during handling system configuration, optimization and maintenance. This makes the entire production process more transparent and efficient. Intelligent condition monitoring and preventive maintenance both minimize downtime, for example.

The SCTMi Compact Terminal from Schmalz shows that a compact unit can deliver several advantages to users. The handling process in industrial production has just become more effective: now parts with different sizes or geometries can be transported reliably with only one gripper. This saves conversion time and lowers costs. At the same time, efficiency and productivity rise. The terminal’s compact design also ensures greater flexibility by serving a variety of application areas. Extra input ports make it easier to adopt additional functions. For example, automobile manufacturers can now implement a tooling management system in their pressing plants with little effort.

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Schmalz presents the SCTMi Compact Terminal at EuroBLECH.