Entire production cells are necessary, especially for the production of high volumes that require precise surface treatment of specific contours, or for the continuous acceptance and transfer of components in a continuous production process. These are usually reproducible processes, which are partly carried out fully or semi-automatically. The emphasis here is on surface treatment with Openair-Plasma in combination with a wide variety of automation tools. Customer and the project to be implemented determine which systems are to be installed in the production cells. Within the project, for example, cycle times, quantities and pure processing periods or the budget are defined. These specifications ultimately determine how a complete system is assembled. The feeding and handling of the parts can be done by a variety of systems, such as robots, inline belt and pin chain systems, workpiece carriers or rotary tables.
For example, different connector strips that are installed in commercial vehicles can be processed. To produce these control units, a polyamide housing of the connector strip can be pre-treated so that a silicone sealant can later adhere to it. For this purpose the plastic surface is cleaned and activated with Openair-Plasma. A rotating plasma nozzle that generates cold plasma is used. This plasma nozzle is ideal above all for thermally sensitive and geometrically complex surfaces and materials. The patented rotation principle distributes the plasma effect evenly over the materials to be treated. In the process, the surface is briefly and pulsedly coated several times, which is a very effective form of cleaning and activation, while at the same time minimizing heat input.
It is particularly interesting that different types of connector strips can be processed within a single production process. In most versions, a robot guides the component to the nozzle, but in some versions the nozzle is directed to the component. This can lead to mix-ups during conversions for the treatment of other parts. In order to rule this out in advance, customers are provided with a comprehensive monitoring concept in which RFID chips and an integrated camera are used to automatically identify which connector strip is to be processed and which program, gripper and nozzle head must be used. The software provides direct information if a setting or component does not match the selected connector strip program, thus ensuring an automatic, reproducible and effective production process.
Do you have questions regarding this matter?
Your contact person: Joachim Schüßler
Company: Plasmatreat GmbH
