Driven by the potential for data networking of future-oriented manufacturing concepts under the heading of Industry 4.0, Stäubli Fluid Connectors is introducing a new end-of-arm tooling range in partnership with FIPA GmbH.

Both system developers and system operators will benefit from this partnership. From Stäubli’s perspective, the new arrangement not only reduces interface problems, but eliminates time-consuming co-ordination with various points of contact.

In short, the automation of material handling processes requires expertise and precise planning. Stäubli Fluid Connectors relies on many years of experience in the development of individual solutions and offers comprehensive support. From the analysis of framework conditions and application requirements, through the concept and CAD planning of the system, to the delivery of all components, Stäubli Fluid Connectors offers a complete service package.

The more durable an end-of-arm tooling solution is, the longer it can remain productive and generate revenue. In today’s environment a general scarcity of resources heightens this effect, therefore extended periods of use and operation are desirable from both an ecological and an economic point of view.

With the uncertainty of which robot applications will be required in the future, Stäubli Fluid Connectors offers a high level of flexibility inherent in its solutions. The systems should be adaptable to meet new requirements at any time, within the scope of a re-tooling or retrofit project, for example. In this way, durable products achieve long life.

Stäubli Fluid Connectors is represented by subsidiaries around the globe. This local presence is an important factor in ventures such as the new FIPA partnership. Of course, notwithstanding standardisation across borders and continents, it is also necessary to take country-specific directives and standards into account.
For further information www.staubli.com

Germany-based clamping and gripping specialistRöhm has appointed Martin Kaufmann, a former top manager from the Voith Group, to the management board as its new chief technical officer (CTO) and chief operating officer (COO). He replaces Dr Till Scharf, who has left the company. With Gerhard Glanz as managing director, Kaufmann now forms a dual leadership business model at Röhm GmbH.

“I’m very pleased that with Martin we’ve been able to gain an experienced expert for the further development of our company,” says Glanz.“We have a lot of potential that needs leveraging, which is where we can make excellent use of Martin’s know-how.

Kaufmann comes to Röhm with more than 15 years of management experience, which he gained at the Voith Group. Most recently, he was executive vice president and CEO of the Voith Turbo Industry Division with headquarters in Crailsheim. At Röhm, Kaufmann will primarily be responsible for the areas of production and technology, as well as the supply chain.

“I’m very much looking forward to the new task and will do everything in my power to ensure that Röhm can further expand its leading role as an innovative supplier of clamping and gripping devices,” says Kaufmann.“As the new products and solutions presented in recent months show, we not only have enormous innovation potential, but also the right spirit.”
For further information www.roehm.biz/en

Ringspann is optimising the deployment of its clamping fixtures for vertical balancing technology. The flange mandrels from Ringspann’s BKDF series and its FUSR-type force-generating spring force actuators rank among the standard clamping systems for balancing rotationally symmetrical components in automotive, pump and gearbox construction. With the aim of significantly reducing set-up costs and increasing flexibility, the company has revised the design of these internal clamping fixtures and optimised them for use on many different balancing machines.

The design sees an improvement in one crucial area: the geometry of the seating body with which the flange mandrels docks onto the power clamping unit is today standard and identical for the entire series, now bearing the new BKDW designation. For all balancing scenarios in which the flange mandrels find use in conjunction with a FUSR spring force actuator as the clamping unit, from now on users will only require one spring force actuator.

Christoph Schulz, product manager – clamping fixtures, summariseswhat this means in practice: “Since all 10 sizes of flange mandrels in our new BKDW series now work with the same type of spring force actuator [previously three different ones were necessary], both the set-up costs at the balancing machine and the acquisition costs for the clamping systems are lower. In addition, many of our customers operate balancing machines from different manufacturers. It is now possible to equip all of these with one spring force actuator or intermediate flange, and access the same taper collet flange mandrels from the BKDW series. This overarching compatibility enables us to fulfil the wish of numerous users for a neutral and‘universal as possible’ clamping system in vertical balancing technology.”
For further information www.ringspann.co.uk