The design presented the challenge of protecting the inside of the slide from the harsh environment caused by dust, fumes, welding splatters etc. that characterize the working conditions of a BIW line. The conventional solutions used for protecting such a linear slide influence the stroke, making the unit more cumbersome. Instead, protection had to be achieved by design. The shape of the sliding section allows a cable cover to run through it. This ensures good protection without calling for more conventional bellows, which are both fragile and require more space.
The customer can reap considerable benefits with this technology: Introducing a new car model in the line is just a matter of programming the new positions for locators. This operation can be achieved off-line, using simulation software (such as ABB RobotStudio), with only a short production break for final tuning.