Kenos KVG grippers to improve productivity in metal sheet handling

Automation Technology, a leader in the field of industrial automation, has leveraged its experience and expertise to design and build an automated line for a leading Italian manufacturer of prefabricated elements. The project's success hinged on the implementation of Piab's Kenos® KVG grippers, which played a crucial role in various stages of the production process, from handling smooth to corrugated sheets to the final assembly.

To cater to the diverse requirements of the production process, Automation Technology developed specific gripping systems: one with four Kenos® KVG grippers for the initial and intermediate stages (folding, corrugating, and joining) and another with six Kenos® KVG grippers for the riveting stage, where walls composed of 2 or 3 elements and doors are assembled.

"The Kenos grippers proved particularly effective in handling our client's sheets, which are very delicate, a maximum thickness of 0.35 mm, and require a firm and reliable grip", says Giampaolo Giacometti, Mechanical Engineering Manager at Automation Technology. "We chose the Kenos grippers for their versatility and ability to handle the variability of the sheet surfaces, preferring them over multi-suction cup systems, which do not offer adequate reliability for this specific application and would have required more maintenance."

"The Kenos grippers facilitate handling different formats without the need for tool changes, significantly reducing machine downtime and enhancing productivity", adds Edoardo Carretta, Owner of Automation Technology.

Thanks to the robotic line and Piab's technology, the system integrator from Borgaro Torinese (Turin) successfully replaced manual labour, thus eliminating the risk of injuries associated with press use.

Piab's Kenos® vacuum gripping systems are designed to streamline handling processes across various industrial sectors and applications. This versatile range, based on foam grippers or suction cups, is capable of handling a wide variety of objects with different shapes, sizes, and materials. Kenos® gripping systems can be equipped with integrated vacuum generation through Piab's COAX® multi-stage ejectors, as in the case of the grippers installed by Automation Technology, or prepared for external vacuum generation, e.g., by a side channel blower pump.

The Kenos® KVG series, available in two widths, KVG60 (as used by Automation Technology) and KVG120, is fully customizable in terms of length, type of foam or suction cup drilling, internal technology (self-excluding check valves or calibrated holes), or vacuum generator, enabling the handling of various objects in different industrial sectors, from furniture to packaging.

Piab's COAX® vacuum generation technology is designed to minimize energy consumption while ensuring safe and fast gripping, thanks to its high initial vacuum flow. The pump unit can deliver high performance even with low or fluctuating supply pressure. Independent comparative tests conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Dresden have shown that Piab ejectors require significantly less compressed air to achieve the same result as ejectors from other suppliers, thus reducing the cost of compressed air supply and the total manufacturing cost.

Automation Technology Srl

Leveraging over twenty years of experience in the industrial automation sector, Automation Technology Srl specializes in creating turnkey robotic plants and lines, positioning itself as the ideal partner for companies that believe in technological development linked to production logic, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the global market.

Each project begins with a careful analysis of the client's needs, crafting the best solution in terms of productivity and ROI.

Automation Technology operates across all industrial sectors and manages the entire process, from design to maintenance and post-activation support of the systems. Furthermore, to fully exploit the potential of the robotic lines, it offers training sessions for operators to ensure they are always up-to-date.

For more information

Paolo Santi, Senior Marketing Activation Specialist
+39 011 2263666
Piab Italia, Via Cuniberti 58, Turin, Italy
www.piab.com