09.17.07
Groz Beckert is demonstrating a semi-automated system for needle board handling. Still in beta test, the Board Master System is an interesting first step toward fully automated board management. It consists of three component products, a storage system, a transport vehicle, and a needle manager. Boards are efficiently racked in the robust steel framing of the GEBEStore component, where they are then safely picked up and transported in a modified fork-lift vehicle dubbed GEBEScoot. The Needle Master machine is then used to locate and change needles automatically according to wear signatures that are identified by historical data within the unit’s controller. Used needles are collated in bins for additional inspection.
The needle insert process still requires manual insertion, although the supplier has developed a hand tool that can receive up to 56 needles simultaneously according to a configuration entered into the controller, so the insertion process is reasonably efficient. Once hand inserted, the needles are set in place by pneumatic pressure, and the boards are ready for transport back to the storage area, or directly into operation.
This innovation seems to foreshadow more fully automated systems that may be around someday to increase the throughput of needlepunch operations everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Groz Beckert
The needle insert process still requires manual insertion, although the supplier has developed a hand tool that can receive up to 56 needles simultaneously according to a configuration entered into the controller, so the insertion process is reasonably efficient. Once hand inserted, the needles are set in place by pneumatic pressure, and the boards are ready for transport back to the storage area, or directly into operation.
This innovation seems to foreshadow more fully automated systems that may be around someday to increase the throughput of needlepunch operations everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Groz Beckert