Technorop Automation helps position seals in car assembly

Citation

(2001), "Technorop Automation helps position seals in car assembly", Assembly Automation, Vol. 21 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2001.03321daf.001

Technorop Automation helps position seals in car assembly

Technorop Automation helps position seals in car assembly

Keywords: Assembly, Automotive

French company Technorop Automation recently exhibited its automated equipment for the positioning of self-adhesive seals at the Hanover Fair.

Especially developed for the automotive industry, this machine enables the positioning of leak-proof seals directly onto the sides of vehicle bodies. Fully automated, the machine is simple to operate. It can position seals on moving vehicles or at a fixed workstation (see Plates 1 and 2).

First, the operator loads the seal, which is cut to length, and peels off the protective film. The device approaches the vehicle from the side with the assistance of built-in sensors and positions itself on the vehicle side while exerting a force controlled by an air balancer. When the device is correctly positioned on the vehicle, the cycle for positioning the seal commences. The positioning is carried out with the help of a head fitted with a positioning thumbwheel which makes it possible to control the length of the seal during application.

After positioning the seal, the device withdraws from the vehicle and the positioning head returns to its original location.

This machine is suitable for operation with several types of vehicle having a common shape (for example: three- and five-door vehicles).

Plate 1 Technorop Automation equipment in use on production lines at Renault

Using the Technorop Automation system, the application pressure is precisely controlled and the positioning of the seal remains accurate and constant. Improving quality and productivity, the machine enables a high seal positioning rate of one vehicle/minute.

Plate 2 Technorop Automation equipment in use on production lines at PSA

The Technorop Automation machine is already in use on production lines at Renault (Kangoo, Twingo) (Plate 1) and PSA (Saxo, 307) (Plate 2).