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Lubrication-free testing

Lead screw linear system from igus® is deployed in bend testing device for welded seams

As part of a practical project, trainees from Munsch Kunststoff-Schweißtechnik GmbH designed and built unaided a bend testing system for welded seams. For the motion profile, they used a lubrication-free lead screw linear system and a linear guide from igus®; these are supplied ready for use in quantities of one unit following in-depth consultation on site. The testing device works so well that is it now entering series production.
Two industrial clerks, four cutting machine operators, one technical drawer and one industrial technician formed a team. As part of their training at Munsch Kunststoff-Schweißtechnik GmbH based in Ransbach-Baumbach, this team was tasked with designing a bend testing device that is able to test the quality of a plastic welded seam according to the pertinent regulation, DVS 2203-5. This involves a destructive test where the measurement results have to be recorded or documented.
 
The main criteria for the actual measuring process are, firstly, positioning accuracy and, secondly, zero clearance of the testing device. Furthermore, special importance was placed on the following factors: freedom from lubrication and maintenance, robustness and long service life for the entire machine as it will be mainly deployed on construction sites.
Bend testing device The device can be used to take bending test specimens with a plate thickness of up to 15 millimetres or a maximum force of 5,000 Newton with a travel of up to 90 millimetres.

Linear technology for horizontal and vertical positioning

The format of the bending punch is adjusted by a lead screw linear system from the drylin® SHT range from igus®. This involves a lubrication-free linear axis that is driven by a trapezoidal thread or high helix thread or toothed belt. From lightweight solid plastic units up to heavy-duty stainless steel solutions: the extensive range of modular products provides every user with a solution customised to their needs. The stroke length is freely selectable and the drive given either by hand-wheel or motor. "We rely fully on a standard solution with trapezoidal thread and motor", reports Marcel Keßler, industrial clerk at Munsch. He has completed his training in the meantime and now works in the company's sales and distribution department. The further technical data of the linear unit in the testing device are as follows: The shaft has a diameter of 12 millimetres. Hard-anodised aluminium is used as the material for the shaft.
Lubrication-free lead screw linear system Maintenance- and lubrication-free lead screw linear system from the drylin® SHT standard range and drylin® W linear guide for the vertical and horizontal movements of the bend testing device.
The three support distances specified by the DVS are implemented by means of a linear guide. The drylin® W is a cost-effective harnessed system. The design allows flexibility during build and assembly thanks to the use of individual or double rails. Hard-anodised aluminium is likewise used as material for the rails; it provides the best friction and wear results for profile guides. The absence of lubrication makes the profile guide system extremely dirt-resistant. In the bend testing device, a round double rail with pillow block proves its robustness in locking and absorbing the forces from the respective plastic test specimen.
drylin® W The drylin® W linear guide is used to set the support distances specified by the guideline.

Recorded measurement results

"We weld a wide range of plastics," explains Georg Krebs, head of sales. "The bending device tests the quality of various welded seams, such as extruder or butt welded seams, and records the data. "Irrespective of the material, the device can be used to test bending test specimens according to DVS 2203-5 with a plate thickness of up to 15 millimetres or a maximum force of 5,000 Newton with a travel of up to 90 millimetres. The bending device is suitable for operation in the workshop or on construction sites, and weighing in at just under 29 kilograms makes it readily transportable. The samples are tested inside the transport box supplied which means that the device is well protected from dust, dirt and dampness.
"As the measurement results are recorded, the aspects of positioning accuracy and zero clearance are of special importance," says Georg Krebs. This is ensured by an additional pre-loaded lead screw nut from SHT linear modules. The gliding material used here is iglidur® J. It provides the best results in terms of coefficient of friction and wear with a rail made of hard-anodised aluminium as counter partner. "As a construction site does not always offer optimum conditions, freedom from the need for lubrication and maintenance were also an important aspect," says Lars Braunisch looking back at the project. He has completed his training as technical drawer in the meantime. "The device has got to work even under difficult conditions. “
Bend testing device The two linear guides from igus® were customised to the requirements of the bend testing device.
After a simple assembly procedure, only the motor has to be adapted to render the device fully functional. Thanks to the materials used, aluminium and plastic, the system concerned is not only robust but also light-weight; factors that contribute to its reliability in day-to-day operations. "Furthermore, it is economical", explains the designer. Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Bernd J. Wirtgen. "Polymer plain bearings are virtually unbeatable in terms of performance and price. This is the reason why they have been used in a large number of our products for many years now. "Alongside the two linear guides, an energy chain made of plastic, the second major Business Unit besides lubrication-free plain bearings of the motion plastics® specialist igus®, is used in the testing device for measuring the pressure of the testing stamp.
 
Consideration is being given to an extension in order to be also able to test thicker materials. The plan is to continue the collaboration with polymer specialist igus® when this idea reaches implementation stage.
Bend testing device The two linear guides from igus® were customised to the requirements of the bend testing device.

A wide range of targets

The task began with a list of specifications that set the targets. This was not just a case of shouldering a demanding project but also of forming a team and strengthening cooperation within the company. In addition, it was necessary to build up contacts outside the company and get potential suppliers on board.
 
Collaboration with igus® immediately came to mind as the two companies are already familiar with each other. "The salesman responsible visited us on site," Keßler reminisces. "Working together, we used the technical specifications as a basis to develop an appropriate solution from the product range, ordered the parts as samples and installed them in our device. "After it had quickly become apparent that it would work, the two linear products were initially ordered in batch size one. Presented to the public for the first time at the "K" fair in 2013, the bend testing device is now available on the customer market.
Munsch From left to right: Lars Braunisch (technical drawer) and Marcel Keßler (industrial clerk), both from Munsch, with the two igus® linear products used in the bend testing device.
Munsch and igus® From left to right: the three former trainees involved in the project, Nadine Küchler, Lars Braunisch, Marcel Keßler. The project was supervised by designer Bernd J. Wirtgen, and head of sales Georg Krebs. Janpeter Dinstühler from igus® (on the far right) provided a lot of tips.
All Munsch staff involved in the project have completed their training in the meantime and are proud of their results. "´Specifically, the collaboration with igus® was completely easy-going. We were treated as equal partners and the contacts of the future," Keßler emphasises an important aspect in conclusion.

Quality trumps costs

For more than 40 years, the name of Munsch has been equated with quality and reliability in the field of containment and landfill construction. Ease of use and mature design make their hand welding extruders a professional and straightforward tool for welding thermoplastics. With more than 120 employees, Munsch is an industry leader both nationally and internationally. Hot wedge welders have also been part of their range for several years now. Product development, production and testing is performed in Ransbach-Baumbach in the Westerwald. Competent individual consultation and customer services are guaranteed worldwide. "We are characterised by a great degree of vertical integration," comments Georg Krebs, head of sales. Quality trumps costs. Our equipment must work properly even under difficult climatic conditions. “

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