In April 2010 CATS already installed a first transportation tong for press dies in the VW press shop, Emden, which was equipped with a sway control system. However, at that time the system was not able yet to compensate rotational sway.
We have now succeeded in developing a system that neutralizes rotational sway by means of the tong slewing gear within a few seconds. This is a true novelty.
The second tong, installed end of April 2011 now works with this new rotational sway control, and CATS retrofitted first tool tong with this system.
The users at VW Emden put the advantages and benefits of the system in the following words:
Wolfgang de Vries (Stamping plant):»We save an enormous amount of time, since for safety reasons an uncontrolled rotation is allowed only at slow speed. This improves the productivity of the press plant significantly.«
Hermann Groothuis (Safety engineer):»One cannot overestimate the contribution of this new system to increase workplace safety and ergonomics.«
A video of the system you can find in section References.