We all know that high-volume applications such as welding have numerous demands, not least high productivity, and reliability. Any failures or inconsistencies with the robotic solutions deployed in these processes can lead to costly production stoppages and expensive maintenance or repairs. For this reason, a growing number of robot OEMs are choosing to work with our team of expert engineers here at SMC, which can offer a highly effective and convenient modular solution for handing welding-specific media such as air, gases, and water
“When it comes to the welding applications,” comments Ming Liu, Senior Product Manager for SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand, “Arc, laser, and spot welding all require regular, consistent cooling to improve the welding quality, reduce the spatter, and to extend the life of the welding tips, the head electrodes, transformers etc.”
Ming comments that more customers are turning to SMC for their chiller requirements for their welding applications. “SMC Chillers can supply “cooling water” at a very stable temperature - anytime and anywhere. SMC’s range of chillers offers customers a compact design, high accuracy, ease of use, low maintenance and access to a global team for technical support and services.”
Ming highlights three SMC ‘success stories’ as follows:
- HRSH Energy Saving Type Chiller Success Story
In Italy, SMC’s HRSH chiller was used on fusion welders, as Ming explains: “Four chillers were used to carry out localized refrigeration in a targeted manner. The temperature must be at a constant value to regulate processing, ensure continuity and to avoid overhangs and dents.”
In the end, the customer enjoyed a compact design product with the same performance, self-diagnosis, temperature stability, energy efficiency, three inverters with low power consumption and basic friendly maintenance.
- HRR Rack Mount Type Chiller Success Story
A customer in Denmark manufactures guide wire parts for pharmaceutical and medical devices, globally. They make sure of plasma welding equipment for stainless steel applications. “Both the welding equipment and the fixture holding the part being welded is cooled by the chiller.”
In the end, the customer enjoyed local support, reduced noise (compared to its predecessor), easy operations and a compact design.
3. HRS Standard Chiller Success Story
To cool a welding torch, a customer in the Netherlands turned to SMC’s HRS range due to a previously installed low-cost chiller which didn’t meet their requirements. “Furthermore, the chiller required a lot of maintenance.”
SMC’s HRS range met the brief and after a testing period of six months, the customer was happy with the quality and performance of the thermo-chiller. “We added a PF3W flow switch and filer to the HRS series to monitor the flow rate. This was welcomed by service departments to ensure that the unit is running optimally at all times.”
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