Many industrial products must be sealed. Food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical packaging, as well as products such as lamps, electronic products or plastic parts in the automotive industry. But how do manufacturers test the tightness of their products?

Many industrial products must be sealed. Food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical packaging, as well as products such as lamps, electronic products or plastic parts in the automotive industry. But how do manufacturers test the tightness of their products?

The entry-level solution is tested in a water bath. This is a very simple but effective method. Place the sample under water, and the tester observes the rising air bubbles. Very intuitive.

The product is not inflated, but tested in a vacuum chamber. The product will expand on its own and air bubbles will escape from the leak. The important thing is that you know the packaging leaks and identify the location of the leaks so that you can detect and eliminate the weak links in the process. It is not unreasonable that so many customers use Witt's Leak-Master Easy.

Almost everything that must be leak-proof. Usually packaging, tube bags, stand-up bags or thermoformed trays, and even vacuum packaging can be tested using Easy. Mainly about meat or sausage products, salads, bread, snacks, dairy products, pet food or medical products. Even coffee capsules are possible. The lamp, bubble film or plastic parts must also be sealed.

If you just check for leaks and find the source of the leak, these devices are indeed very good. But there are limitations: testing in water usually means that I can no longer sell the product. In addition, the test is performed manually, placing high demands on people who may affect the results.

Leak test using specific test gas and sensor technology. With Leak-Master Pro 2, we have a device that can use a CO2 sensor to determine the tightness of related products. A vacuum is created in the test chamber to extract gas from the leaking package. Parameters such as vacuum degree and measurement time are pre-defined by the customer, so the test is carried out automatically. PRO 2 displays the result on the rotating light signal. If the device lights up red, it means that CO2 has been detected and the product is leaking. The test is completely independent of the inspector, standardized and repeatable. Everything is recorded digitally and can be exported.

The more carbon dioxide in the package, the faster the leak is found. Eight to ten seconds is usually sufficient. Leaks of 10 microns or more can be detected, and these micro-leaks can cause problems for manufacturers. CO2 testing is also non-destructive. After testing, the leak-proof packaging can be marketed without any problems, saving waste and cost.

Water baths provide the cheapest method; they have been proven for many years and work reliably. If I want to find out where my product is leaking, I need a water bath anyway. If there is no carbon dioxide in my product, or if I have a vacuum package, a water bath is the best choice.

For more standardization and automation, carbon dioxide devices are a good choice because they do not need to be inspected by human inspectors. Even with countless tests at the end of the long working day, the results are still reliable. You can test the tightness without destroying the product. Finally, since there is no need for regular water changes and cleaning, the water-free test is cleaner and simpler.

Ideally, I own both devices. With CO2 equipment, I can perform all spot checks safely and without damage. In case there is a leak, I can find the location of the leak and eliminate the weak point with a water bath.

Only a 100% inspection can provide 100% certainty. So, I usually need an inline solution. Here, machines with CO2 sensors have also been widely used in practice. Witt's Leak-Master MapMax is used by food manufacturers all over the world to ensure perfect packaging, thereby ensuring the quality of their products.

Like Pro 2, MapMax receives all packages from the packaging machine. Create a vacuum in the chamber. The sensor detects the escaping carbon dioxide.

There is an alarm directly on the device. In addition, leaked packaging can be physically rejected. Everything is fully automatic, very fast and reliable. MapMax can manage up to 15 cycles per minute.

MapMax is used to directly test whole batches or cartons. There are indeed some faster machines on the market where the pressure is applied from the roller to the packaging. However, this method is rather crude, and only very large leaks can be found. This is not good enough for most products. In fact, testing the outer packaging is the safest because the test is done at the end of the process. After that, the packaging will no longer be touched and will not be damaged.

Whether random testing or online testing is required depends largely on the product, packaging, craftsmanship, best shelf life, and distribution channels. But in any case, inline provides the greatest confidence.

The company turned to thermal management and introduced wheel bearings, and Dayco is developing its chassis system, launching a comprehensive series of more than 3,300 original equipment (OE) equivalent steering and suspension components.

Dayco is a supplier of engine products and drive systems for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries. With a technical heritage of more than 110 years, Dayco recognizes the transition from traditional internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric power systems.

The company’s steering thermal management and the introduction of wheel bearings, Dayco is developing its chassis system and has introduced more than 3,300 original equipment (OE) equivalent steering and suspension components, including axle joints, tie rod ends/components, steering shoes , Track control arm, ball joint, stabilizer link and bushing.

As the OE manufacturer and supply partner of many car manufacturers around the world, quality is of the utmost importance. The company provides wholesalers with a range of products that enable them to provide their workshop customers with brands with genuine OE pedigree and arousing confidence.

This means that the series is manufactured in accordance with OE equivalent standards in terms of performance and durability, and has been tested and verified in accordance with certified quality control protocols during the production process. Additional product tests used to check material fatigue and dimensional accuracy are supplemented by the application of environmentally friendly electrophoretic coatings to achieve long-lasting protection from salt spray, other chemicals, impacts and scratches.

When installing parts, it is also necessary to replace auxiliary items such as fasteners and clips, so the Dayco kit comes with replacement items to make the work of the technicians easier and improve the efficiency of the workshop.

Identifying the correct replacement parts is a prerequisite for the successful introduction of any new product line. A support catalog containing comprehensive cross-reference data and images can be accessed through the Dayco website, app and TecDoc.

For more information about Dayco OEM quality products, please visit: www.dayco.com.

The event was called "the biggest transformation since industrialization."

Digitalization and sustainability-these are the key themes of the Hannover Messe 2022. Therefore, the world's leading industrial technology trade show promotes more climate protection in business and industry, and clearly illustrates how digitization, automation, and renewable energy can contribute together. After a long break caused by the pandemic, Hannover Messe will return as a face-to-face event in April 2022.

"We are facing the biggest transformation since industrialization-the transition to resource-efficient, climate-neutral and sustainable production," said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe. "Digitalization, automation, innovative technologies, and renewable energy: these existing trends are dynamic drivers for achieving climate goals. All technical fields must work together to initiate constructive exchanges between business, politics, science, and society. 2022 The Hannover Messe focuses on its globality and theme, providing an ideal platform for this, and once again achieving face-to-face contact."

Under the leading theme of "Industrial Transformation", global leading companies from the electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, logistics, energy, IT and software industries demonstrated how to successfully shift to digital, resource-efficient and climate-neutral production. By demonstrating specific solutions, leading figures in the scientific and business circles demonstrated how to master such a historic feat of power.

For example, companies in the energy industry demonstrated how to efficiently produce green hydrogen and its potential for energy-intensive industrial companies. Climate-neutral mobility is another focus.

Industrial companies provide technologies to reduce carbon dioxide and demonstrate how energy efficiency can contribute to climate neutrality. Digitization and automation enable networked manufacturing systems to operate more efficiently and save resources. Innovative technologies such as 3D printing can create tailor-made components, thereby reducing inventory and resource usage.

During the Covid pandemic, the global supply chain is very fragile, so repositioning certain parts of the value chain will help reduce this vulnerability while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Energy is also a key issue for logistics companies, especially because electric products occupy an increasing share of the forklift sector and increasingly replace internal combustion engines.

Digitization includes topics such as networking, data analysis, Internet of Things, platforms, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. In order to survive global competition, companies must use digitalization to develop, manufacture, and sell products faster and more efficiently. In Hanover, companies from electrical engineering, mechanical and plant engineering, and IT and software demonstrated how to automate and digitize the entire process chain of climate-neutral production.

Hannover Messe 2022 emphasizes on-site participation. After the epidemic, exhibitors and visitors hope to communicate face-to-face, experience products and solutions first-hand, and establish contacts with industry communities. Comprehensive digital presentation options extend the offer. “Hannover Messe brings together the best of both worlds and enhances unique physical products through innovative digital participation options. This makes Hannover Messe even more valuable to exhibitors from all over the world because they create additional potential in the digital space. Customers," Köckler explained.

Portugal is a partner country of the Hannover Messe 2022. Under the motto "Portugal is meaningful", Portugal presents itself in exhibitions, forums and seminars. The focus is on industrial supply, digital platforms and energy solutions-these areas provide many synergies between Portugal and Germany and generate the potential for new partnerships.

Before choosing the best system that meets the user’s needs, all four must be carefully studied

The robotics industry is undergoing a demographic shift. It started with industrial applications, but has seen significant growth in customer service robots, personal assistant robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones), and "unmanned" vehicles. Despite the changes in the landscape, industrial robots are still vital in a market that is expected to reach 500 billion U.S. dollars in sales by 2025. One of the industries that continues to rely on robotics and automation is automobile manufacturing. This industry is one of the first to adopt robotics/automation to enhance and optimize manufacturing time and planning. The packaging, pharmaceutical, and aerospace industries also continue to use automation.

Manufacturers in these industries can enhance their experience in automation applications, such as metal stamping and metal assembly industries.

In the metal stamping industry, the commonly used stamping line styles are as follows:

Regardless of the type of press line used, stamped parts are not always finished. Stamping parts need to be welded or assembled before they become finished products. These requirements transform metal stamping parts into a metal assembly process. Robots and EOAT robots ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the metal assembly process.

The traditional mold design process begins when the end user and the mold manufacturer cooperate to create a mold design. After review and revision, the end user approves the mold and creates a CAD drawing. The mold supplier receives the agreed mold data and creates the mold design and work simulation of the automated mold. The Corrective Action Report (CAR) records any gaps or collision issues during the simulation. The CAR is sent to the mold maker, who resolves any gaps or conflicts before shipping the mold.

The cost of a fully designed and fully functional module may be as high as US$200,000, while the cost of the end effector is less than 10% of the previous cost. System designers and end users pay more attention to more expensive components, but all components must work together to create a powerful and reliable system. If the automation tool supplier is involved in the design process earlier, expensive time and rework of mold modifications can be avoided.

Therefore, the end effector supplier can incorporate into the design process where a finger tool or EOAT is needed after receiving a process sheet with suggested gripping points. The supplier designs the contact points of the system, simulates the required movements (clamping, lifting, pitching, unclamping, etc.) and cooperates with the mold manufacturer to ensure that the end effector works in coordination with the produced mold. The mold manufacturer determines whether the mold and the end effector are compatible and can meet the needs of the end user. If modifications are required, a corrective action report will be created. After completing all modifications, a simulation will be performed to see if the system can perform as expected.

By switching back and forth between the mold and end effector selections as necessary, end users and system designers include EOAT suppliers from the start.

Finding and implementing the perfect end effector system depends on the user's proper consideration of four key areas.

There are two basic industrial manufacturing environments that will use part handling systems that rely on robots:

Before choosing the best end effector, three main operating parameters need to be evaluated and quantified:

There are two options. The first is a modular tool, which is gaining use and acceptance. This requires less design time, because the end effector can be built from CAD components to achieve better design consistency and provide greater flexibility if the product design needs to be changed. Modular tools require fewer custom parts, thereby reducing assembly time. The total weight of the finished product is lighter, the start-up time is shorter, and if a collision occurs during operation, it can be recovered more quickly.

The second end effector design option is a welded structure. Although this approach brings a high level of durability and reliability, it pales in comparison to the design and operating features provided by modular tools. This method has fewer standard components in the CAD library, so it takes longer to design the end effector. This makes it more difficult to consider or predict future design changes, and there may be differences between design teams. Building welded end effectors requires more custom parts, resulting in longer assembly times and heavier parts and correspondingly longer start-up times. The failure recovery time of welded parts may also be longer.

Auxiliary components that can be used with the end effector system need to be considered:

Robotics in workpiece clamping and pick-and-place applications in industrial manufacturing will not disappear. It is important for industrial manufacturers to design and deploy compatible automation tools/end effector systems in the design process from the beginning, understand all variables and options, and use the latest digital design technology.

The Polish company Fanar, a manufacturer of solid round tools, will become part of Seco's products, enhancing the solid thread products.

The Polish company Fanar, a manufacturer of solid round tools, will become part of Seco's products, enhancing the solid thread products.

Fanar will initially operate as an independent company, and as Seco enters the Polish market, it will continue to sell its products under the Fanar brand. "I am very pleased that we can now strengthen our capabilities and experience in threading products and solutions," said Seco Oskar Edqvist, Vice President of Strategy and Product Management. “Fanar will be part of the Seco family. This fact will strengthen our influence in the important Polish market and will create a platform for further business development in the region,” he continued.

Fanar provides high-performance taps and other thread products, solid carbide drill bits and end mills. “It’s great to expand the Seco family with Fanar’s colleagues,” said President Seco Stefan Steenstrup. "I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of them to the Seco family," he continued.