Align Production Systems Delivers Custom Die-Change Robot
Align Production Systems has partnered with a metal stamping manufacturer to create a custom, omnidirectional Mold and Die Changer. The new robotic system is designed to replace slower, traditional methods and improve efficiency in industrial die change operations.
- The custom transporter is engineered to handle dies weighing up to 36,000 pounds and features a hydraulic lift system capable of raising them to a height of 103 inches. - Its omnidirectional movement is achieved through steerable drives that allow for car-like steering, "crab walking" sideways, and zero-point turns, enabling precise maneuvering in constrained factory environments. - A key feature is the electromagnetic push/pull mechanism integrated into the transporter, which applies controlled force to extract dies from presses and position them without manual intervention. - Align Production Systems has a strategic partnership with Kollmorgen, a vehicle control solutions pioneer, to integrate Kollmorgen's NDC Solutions platform and advance the capabilities of heavy-duty automated guided vehicles (AGVs). - The robot addresses a core manufacturing challenge, as traditional die changes can be a significant source of production downtime; Quick Die Change (QDC) systems are designed to streamline this process, allowing for more flexible and efficient production runs. - This type of automation is part of a larger trend in the metal stamping industry, which is increasingly adopting robotics to improve the speed, precision, and safety of operations for major sectors like automotive, aerospace, and electronics. - The integration of technologies like IoT and AI represents the next step for such systems, enabling predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring to further boost efficiency and minimize errors. - Align Production Systems offers its mold and die handling systems through its brand Hedin USA, a joint partnership that focuses on battery-powered manufacturing transport systems.
