Situation:
ArcelorMittal produces coated insulation panels at one of its locations. This coating makes the products susceptible to damage. The stacking of the panels was performed entirely by two operators. To increase production capacity and reduce dependence on personnel, ArcelorMittal sought a fully automated solution.
Challenge:
The project involved several technical focus areas:
- Large product dimensions (3-meter panels), making protective sheets difficult to position manually
- High line speed, requiring the stacking process to integrate seamlessly with the existing production flow
- Safety requirements for both operators and the robot cell
- Robustness of the system due to the heavy industrial environment
During manual stacking, a protective anti-slip sheet was applied each time to prevent sliding and damage to the panels. This process needed to be automated to reduce production interruptions and increase safety.
Solution by InduQuip International:
Induquip International developed and supplied a Cut N’Grip Sheet Dispenser with a 3-meter bed length
Key elements of the solution:
- Unwind and cutting unit placed outside the robot cell for safe and fast roll changes
- Two unwind trolleys allowing roll changes without stopping the line
- Communication between the robot and the dispenser for automatic adjustment of sheet lengths
- Detection of when a sheet is placed or picked up by the robot
Results (ROI):
The implementation delivered significant benefits to the customer:
- Payback period of just 2 years
- Savings of 2 operators per shift
- 12% higher production capacity of the production line
Additionally, the automation resulted in a more consistent process, fewer damages, and higher output reliability
Integration possibilities of the Cut N’Grip Sheet Dispenser:
The Cut N’Grip Sheet Dispenser is widely applicable and can be integrated into:
Robot cells
Palletizing solutions
Manipulators
Suitable for many OEM solutions and integration into numerous possible installations The Sheet dispenser is suitable for a wide variety of roll-fed materials and is available in galvanized or stainless-steel versions for food or chemical environments
