The problem presented by the customer regarded the manual movement of 2.5 metre long rolls of fabric where the fabric produced by the looms is rolled up. Transport is difficult because of the size and weight of the fabric but also because of the environment: long narrow corridors between the rows of looms.
Oppent contributed to the automation of Lanificio Zignone in Biella (Italy), designing and developing two 3300 mm-long omnidirectional vehicles. Between the two power heads we developed an axle equipped with mechanisms for gripping and releasing the rolls of fabric. It guarantees the transport of a maximum load of 500 kg. Compared with manual transportation, the use of automated vehicles makes it possible to reach up to +30% of the rolled surface, with a 25% reduction in machine downtimes.
- Automate the process of picking the canvas rolls wrapped with the fabric of the looms, at the same time making the empty rolls available so the single looms can immediately continue with their work
- Once the roll of wrapped fabric has been picked, it must be transported to the finished products warehouse, while the empty rolls must be collected by the relevant warehouses.
- Preliminary analysis
- Design of solution
- Customisation
- Assistance