Joining in Extremely Confined Spaces with New Electromechanical NC Joining Module NCFS

Successful automation of joining processes where room is at a premium and joining stations closely spaced requires particularly slender modules. Kistler developed its electromechanical NC joining module Type 2152B… for applications such as press fitting valve seat rings and valve guides.

Its specialized housing construction makes it particularly rigid despite being very compact. Its special shape and a center distance of just 70 mm allows very close spacing of neighboring stations on an assembly line. A special high-precision guide also helps minimize the amount of space required for mounting. The center distance can be reduced even further by pressing eccentrically within the permissible range. Several electromechanical NC joining modules NCFS Type 2152B… can be assembled into a single joining station. This allows faster throughput by avoiding the usual need to synchronize several assembly stations.

The integral piezoelectric force sensor in the robust housing of the NC joining module NCFS gives a choice of two predefined measuring ranges of 15 and 25 kN. The stroke of 350 mm allows even deep end points to be reached effortlessly. The high speed of up to 250 mm/s offers a quick idle stroke and hence short machine cycle despite long feed travels. The fact that both tensile and compression forces are available as standard leaves considerable machine design freedom.

DMF-P A300 NCF force-displacement monitoring system Type 4734A... makes use of different tolerance windows to evaluate the force-displacement curves of virtually any application. It allows analysis of all four quadrants (forward and backward movement / compression and tensile force). In addition to the conventional tolerance windows, dynamic windows for evaluation on the basis of the maximum position achieved, windows for evaluating the gradient, the change in gradient, point-by-point and the mechanical work (integral of the curve), are available as standard. The system already has an Ethernet interface as standard. This permits easy connection to existing process and measurement acquisition systems via I-P.M. or the certified Q-DAS® protocol. Comprehensive documentation of the curve and associated setpoints and actual values is also possible.

NC Compact firmware (Type 2159A...) loaded into the servo controller is ideal for force-displacement evaluation of standard joining processes with a simple documentation function. For very modest capital and installation costs it facilitates integration into existing user control environments.

Kistler Group

Kistler's core competence is the development, production and use of sensors for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. Kistler's know-how and electronic systems can be used to prepare measuring signals for use in analyzing physical processes, controlling and optimizing industrial processes, improving product quality in manufacturing and improving performance in sports and rehabilitation.

Kistler offers a comprehensive range of sensors and systems for engine development, automotive engineering, plastics and metal processing, installation technology and biomechanics.

A worldwide sales presence in the form of 25 group companies and 30 distributors ensures customer proximity, application support on an individual level and short lead times.

With a staff of about 1 000, the Kistler Group is one of the world's leading providers of dynamic measuring instrumentation. The Kistler Group achieved turnover of 215 million Swiss Francs in the 2008 financial year.