L-A-C Logistics Automation impressed a Major Tier 1 Automotive Supplier working in collaboration with FSG Tool & Die, by producing an automotive automation bespoke interior trim punching machine. The machine delivers a clean and precise cut, that doesn’t mark and guarantees a repeatable performance.
Motor vehicle manufacturers constantly refine and develop their product range this produces a requirement for suppliers to be able to develop automotive automation solutions for alterations to part specifications.
What’s the client background?
The customer is a Global Tier 1 Automotive Interiors Supplier with a reputation for efficiency, versatility, responsiveness and quality control who provide everything from instrument panels, consoles, door systems, headliners, and overhead systems for all types of vehicles both budget and luxury cars through to all types of commercial vehicles.
L-A-C Logistics Automation was approached to help them in the automotive automation sector, with a part that required modifying for an enhancement to a luxury end marque passenger vehicle.
Requirement
A luxury car interiors new layout needed improved airflow through the cabin to ensure maximum passenger comfort. To help achieve this an existing part needed an additional opening through two parts of plastic trim at the D pillar of the cabin which would allow for better airflow and provide a link to the fan of an MHEV battery.
Solution
The part that required the extra opening has a complex geometry and is made of plastic which can be easily marked if not treated correctly. The part was made of two elements, one passenger facing and the other attached to the D pillar and are clipped together.
Working closely with FSG Tool & Die Company who are specialists in toolmaking services a hardened punch and die tooling machine was developed that would provide a clean, precise cut with aluminium CAD cut support tooling used to securely hold parts and the action is repeatable.
To ensure that the cabin facing side of the part was not marked upper nylon pressure pads have been incorporated for the contact point with the “A “surface. Actuation of the Danly Tooling set is achieved through Servo control offering exact positioning and control.
Pressure sensors have been used to ensure that the part is seated correctly with more sensors and limit switches to stop the punch over-driving.
The end tool crucially provides one action cut keeping the activity as simple as possible.
Waste material from the cut is deposited into a bin for later removal.
L-A-C Logistics Automation designed all the controls and built the control panel within the automotive automation system.
The tooling delivers
- Ensures correct force is applied
- A stable framework to withstand applied forces
- Versatile to cope with the customer’s range
- Efficient part loading ensuring maximum productivity
- Meet customer tolerances and quality control
- Servo controlled punching technology
- In-house controls system
About L-A-C Logistics Automation
Who we are: Founded in 1997, L-A-C Logistics Automation are a leading UK supplier who’ve been successfully supplying conveyor systems, belt conveyors, roller conveyors, automation, and robotic solutions to the UK’s blue-chip industry. Located in Bulwell, Nottingham, L-A-C Logistics Automation are known for their outstanding customer service, continual support, flexibility, and bespoke service. With a full in-house service team, and an engineering team who’ve worked together over 25 years, L-A-C Logistics Automation covers all aspects of control system design, build and associated software, and ongoing support.
What we do: L-A-C Logistics Automation has a wealth of experience supplying conveyor systems and robotic solutions to a range of industries including automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, heavy engineering, and logistics. L-A-C Logistics Automation. design, assemble, incorporate testing, and deliver with training and after-sales support for a smooth handover. With an in-house mechanical design team, project managers, and engineers, all the builds are undertaken on the five-unit 70,000 sq. ft premises.