G-Flex Feeder Flexible Parts Feeding Solution Eliminates Production
Interruption and Maximizes Uptime
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2013--
Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG), a leading manufacturer of fluid handling
equipment, recently launched the G-Flex Feeder Flexible Parts Feeding
Solution. The G-Flex Feeder is an automation innovation that easily
accommodates a wide range of part sizes and shapes with seamless part
changeover.
The G-Flex Feeder is an innovation born of necessity. Graco, a
world-class manufacturer known for technical excellence, sought to
improve manufacturing automation in its own factories. The company
couldn’t find a suitable commercially available parts feeding solution
that offered flexibility and easy integration with vision guided robots.
To solve the problem, Graco engineers designed the G-Flex Flexible Parts
Feeding Solution. Today G-Flex Feeder Solutions are integrated into
several Graco facilities.
“The G-Flex Feeder has raised the bar for best-in-class assembly
automation, not just for Graco, but for the entire assembly industry,”
said Jon Knutson, a Graco business development director. “We used to
invest in dedicated feeders for each part, which caused costly
interruptions and downtime when product build schedules changed. With
the G-Flex Flexible Parts Feeder you can simply change from one part to
the next with no complicated set-up steps. Simply load the hopper with
the new parts and let the G-Flex Feeder do the rest.”
The G-Flex Feeder offers ultimate flexibility and can be deployed to
handle new parts and process changes with no added investment. A
multitude of features improve efficiencies and output, including a large
capacity hopper that can be refilled on the fly; a uniquely-designed
feeder table that recirculates parts preventing over-accumulation and
part bunch ups. And, unlike traditional feeder bowls, the G-Flex Feeder
is highly tolerant of process contamination (oily parts and chips no
longer shut down the parts feeding process). In addition, the G-Flex
Feeder offers a great value when compared to complicated bowl feeders.
This one stand-alone, easy-to-integrate solution fits most applications
and requires minimal interface: just connect it to a power supply and
one PLC input, and the G-Flex Feeder is ready to get to work.
To learn more about the Graco G-Flex Flexible Parts Feeding Solution,
visit www.graco.com/g-flex,
call 1-855-312-5349 or contact us at gflex@graco.com.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of
fluids and coating in both industrial and commercial applications. It
designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move,
measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid materials. A recognized
leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers
around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and
maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc.,
please visit us at www.graco.com
or on Twitter @GracoInc.
Source: Graco Inc.
Graco Inc.
Todd Safgren, 612-623-6734
Todd_T_Safgren@graco.com