Automation concepts at Desma in-house show
Desma is to host an in-house show from September to November and the focus will be on automated shoe construction.
According to the Germany-based shoe machinery manufacturer, introducing a high level of automation leads to substantial increases in productivity, and handling systems and robots are seen more and more in modern shoe production units.
At its in-house show the firm will present a range of possible applications for automated devices, as well as explaining the advantages of using them.
Desma’s experience of robotics began in the 1980s when the Sweden-based ABB Group lent the company one of its robots for experimental purposes. Desma adapted the first robot to fit the requirements of the footwear industry and delivered an ABB IRB1000 to adidas in March 1987. Since then it has delivered more than 1000 robots. It claims they guarantee high quality, minimum material use and perfect reproducibility.
According to Desma, ideal areas of application for robot use include: roughing of the upper material; roughing of the bottom of the upper; spraying of release agents; spraying of adhesives; colour spraying; trimming of flash; removal of shoes and soles; picking and placing of lasts, steel soles, shank supports and studs; and seam insulation and sealing.
