Blank Washing System can feed several press lines.

Press Release Summary:

Stand-alone Blank Washing System consists of conveyor belt that transports blanks through washer and lubricator, 2 high-speed shuttles, 4 blank carts that run on RoundTrack® in-floor rail system, and centering station. Detached configuration allows press line to run during washer stoppages. SRLS 2/120 material handling robots enable acceleration rates up to 1,120 m/s², velocities up to 5.5 m/s, and payload capacity to 150 kg. Transfer distances of 6.3 m can be achieved.

Original Press Release:

ATR-Strohmann's Stand-Alone Blank Washing System Can Feed Several Press Lines At Once

Cambridge, Ont., Canada, June 2, 2004 - ATR-Strothmann has gone against conventional wisdom and taken the blank washing system out of the press line and placed it in a central location with excellent results, including improved capacity utilization and decreased capital investment. This detached configuration also allows for a build-up of buffer capacity, allowing the press line to run during washer stoppages For years, the typical press line has been laid out in a linear fashion that goes from destacker to blank washing/lubrication station to centering station to press feeder to press. ATR-Strothmann has discovered that by centrally-placing the washing/lubrication station -- depending upon the size of the blanks -- one system can potentially feed several press lines at once. ATR-Strothmann's blank washing system consists of a conveyor belt that transports the blanks through the washer and lubricator, two high-speed shuttles, four blank carts (two carts per shuttle) that run on ATR-Strothmann's RoundTrack® in-floor rail system, and a centering station. Key to this centralized washing station solution is the highly dynamic performance of SRLS ATR-Strothmann's SRLS 2/120 linear material handling robots, which enable acceleration rates up to 1120 m/s², velocities up to 5.5 m/s, and payload capacity of up to 150 kg.  Transfer distances of 6.3 meters can be achieved. The sequence of operation is straight-forward. While the first robot feeds the washing system, the second robot is responsible for stacking the blanks as they come out of the system. When a cart is completely loaded or unloaded, the feeder simply switches to the other side, thereby maintaining continuous operation. ATR-Strothmann develops and markets industrial automation, information and vision system solutions as well as manufacturing linear and rotary robotic components and systems used in handling of a variety of materials in multiple process applications. A subsidiary of G. Siempelkamp GmbH & Co. Group of Krefeld, Germany, ATR-Strothmann serves a global base of customers including Boeing, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Coca-Colallins and Aikman, Ford, Magna, Molson Breweries, Procter & Gamble and Weyerhaeuser. Industry-Scope (Grand Blanc, Mich.), ATR-Strothmann's North American representative, is a strategic consulting, marketing communications and manufacturer's representative firm, focused on supplying the needs of automotive companies and their supply partners. For more information, visit www.industry-scope.com. Find more information on ATR at atrsi.com Find more information on Strothmann at www.strothmann.com For more information on Siempelkamp GmbH & Co. Group at www.siempelkamp.com