2024/02/15
ID: 4688

Moving loads at the tip of two fingers

Intuitive balancer for improved ergonomics and safety

Ergonomics improves efficiency thanks to a servo-pneumatic balancer that enables employees in assembly and logistics to lift and move loads effortlessly, using just two fingers. At the heart of the balancer is the powerful and reliable drive solution YHBP from Festo with automatic weight detection and safety Performance Level d – perfect for the automotive and packaging industries.

The system automatically detects the weight of the load and sets the balancing force itself, even when suspended loads are added or removed. This makes production processes with a large number of variants much more flexible. And operation is child's play thanks to intuitive control using a pneumatically activated, ergonomic handle.

 

Playing it safe

Ergonomics must always go hand in hand with machine safety. The safety variant of the drive solution, with dual-channel speed monitoring and power shutdown, achieves Performance Level d. This ensures it is always brought to a safe state in the event of a faulty component. Dangerous movement is likewise prevented if there is a voltage failure or sudden drop in pressure.

 

The servo-pneumatic drive solution YHBP consists – depending on the version – of a pneumatic ISO cylinder with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm, a displacement encoder, optionally with safety relay for safety applications, the balancer valve unit VPCB, a pneumatically operative handle, the balancer controller CECC-D-BA for activation of the balancer. A balancer software with browser-based web visualisation is pre-installed on the controller for commissioning and diagnostics.

 

Additional functions can be easily configured via digital inputs and outputs. For example, the balancer can be moved to a predefined (start) position, the speed can be changed or it can be operated in jog mode. If you want to view the balancer's status data centrally on a host system, this function can be implemented via the controller's Modbus interface.

 

Kinematics and applications

The drive system has proven to be versatile and flexible, making it suitable for nearly all balancer kinematics, from lifting column to parallel kinematics and articulated-arm kinematics, regardless of whether it is standing or hanging, for example from a rail system.

 

In the automotive industry, the balancer can be used to move and precisely adjust heavy components, such as in the assembly of shock absorbers, engines, dashboards, tyres, windscreens, doors and seats. In the food processing and electronics industries, the balancer handles the loading and onward transportation of heavy containers, packages and goods. In the packaging industry, the focus is on conveying rolls of paper and film, and automated loading and repositioning of pallets. Similar applications can also be found in general machine and system building, in toolmaking, and in domestic appliances, heating and air conditioning engineering.

Festo es un actor global y una empresa familiar independiente con sede en Esslingen am Neckar (Alemania). Desde sus inicios, Festo ha marcado pautas en la tecnología de automatización industrial y en la formación técnica, contribuyendo así al desarrollo sostenible del medio ambiente, la economía y la sociedad. La empresa suministra tecnología de automatización neumática y eléctrica a 300.000 clientes de automatización de fábricas y procesos en más de 35 sectores. El sector LifeTech, con la tecnología médica y la automatización de laboratorios, es cada vez más importante. Los productos y servicios están disponibles en 176 países de todo el mundo. En todo el mundo, unos 20.600 empleados en cerca de 60 países con más de 250 sucursales generaron unas ventas de aproximadamente 3.650 millones de euros en 2023. De esta cantidad, alrededor del 7% se invierte anualmente en investigación y desarrollo. En la empresa de aprendizaje, las medidas de formación y desarrollo representan el 1,5% de la facturación. Festo Didactic SE es un proveedor líder de educación y formación técnica y ofrece a sus clientes de todo el mundo soluciones integrales de aprendizaje digital y físico en el entorno industrial.

© Festo SE & Co. KG
Compensador
Ergonomía para una mayor eficiencia: los compensadores servoneumáticos con solución de accionamiento YHBP de Festo permiten a los trabajadores elevar y mover grandes masas con total facilidad en tareas de montaje y logística.