Sheet metalwork
The manipulation of sheet metal concerns various sectors of activity and different applications to which NOVACOM is able to respond thanks to its diversity of vacuum components. The hardness, thickness, and material of the sheets can vary and they can be lubricated, thus greasy, which requires suitable equipment.
Sheet Metal Industry Requirements
- High speeds
- Energy savings
- Safety / reliability
Applications
- Handling of metal profiles
- Unstacking of plates (separating sheets to feed the production line)
- Window handling (palletizing, depalletizing…)
- Stamping
- Holding for drilling and laser cutting
- Liquid traps
In this environment, filters with liquid traps are to be preferred. Filters (FV PL series) are available for accidental liquid suction extracted by suction cups and vacuum systems. Their transparent tank allows visualization of the level of liquid suctioned.
Blowing and Cooling
To remove chip and/or lubricant residues on the plates or to promote their separation, NOVACOM offers blowing nozzles, air curtains, blowing ramps, and air amplifiers.
For the recovery of chips and oil as well as for cleaning applications, the POMPE 90 series drum pump (sold with or without drum) is the ideal tool. Regarding the cooling of parts, vortex tubes and cold air guns ensure this function.
Holding and Gripping
The sheets can be lubricated, so the suction cups must be adapted to offer the best grip. Anti-slip suction cups with stops are therefore to be preferred as well as suction cups with cleats to allow the potential oil present on the sheet to drain.
NOVACOM advises against silicone suction cups in this type of industry because silicone is not resistant to oil. In this context, flat suction cups series 6, PFG, and 7FF, bellows suction cups series 8R and 8TC, as well as oblong suction cups series 4BO, 4OF, and 4R are recommended.
Process Safety
Parallel clamps (DZ series) are reinforced clamps that allow secure holding of sheets during machining. NOVACOM measuring devices can also participate in controlling the vacuum level and the proper functioning of the vacuum system.