Automated spraying system for adhesive application in soles of shoes

Abstract

DUALTRONICS is a company specialized in automation of industrial processes, developing solutions for custom assembly lines and testing machines, providing turnkey projects since conception and design based on customer requirements through construction, installation and start-up at customer's plant. The company is developing a project of production process innovation for the footwear sector aiming to replace the adhesive application process in soles of shoes commonly in use by the industry. In the current process, the adhesive application is performed manually by the operator, through a brush or applicator equipment manually conducted. The proposed new process will be performed by means of laser scanner and robotics technology and provides significant gains in productivity, repeatability and costs reducing, with the main purpose of making the national footwear industry more competitive relating the imported products. The research project to be carried out consists in the development of a software to filter the data collected by the scanner in a point cloud, in order to identify the correct sole position and orientation, reporting to robot so that it can perform the adhesive spray applying in the regions defined by parameters of positioning related to the sole's edge. The synchronism of robot movements and the belt conveyor speed will be also set up in order to allow the adhesive application with the sole in movement. The project focuses on three main objectives: 1. Contribute to raise the level of automation in Brazilian footwear industries2. Improving conditions of work safety and environmental protection3. Seek alternatives to keep a stable cash flow situation for Dualtronics Market analysis shows a strong pent-up demand due to the lack of technological solutions available to the footwear sector with affordable prices, combined with the urgent need to increase productivity to take advantage of the current high dollar rate. Abicalçados statistics data show there is more than 700 medium or large industries lacking for innovative solutions, composing a potential market of R$ 800 million only for this solution, more than enough to sustain the company fixed costs for 10 years and allowing that gains obtained with the custom automation business be driven to company specialization and new technologies development. The Dualtronics competence for the project's success is attested by the several projects of special machines and custom assembly lines carried out on its five years of existence, with all Dualtronics's expertise in creating automation solutions for the improvement of industries production processes being channeled to specific sectors that require a technological leap to improve their competitiveness in the markets in which they operate. (AU)