Hinges & Accessories

Machine change-over time in production is a key issue affecting the operation of packaging lines and can often present a critical bottleneck. The challenge for Elesa was to reduce the time taken for machine switchovers on packaging lines installed on site at their end users.

Explained Nigel Pritchett MD at Elesa (UK) “machine downtime for our customers and their end-users can become a major problem while they re-set each roller spindle manually. Fortunately, we have a solution readily available in the form of our unique wireless digital electronic positioning system.”

“These units are a like-for-like replacement for conventional items and the connected system allows up to 36 position indicators to be re-set all together from a PC link. This saves a great deal of time compared to re-setting each one individually for different packaging configurations.”

Elesa’s RF electronic positioning indicators are unique in the market, enabling wireless communication with a PLC. This results in faster, more efficient machine set-up and associated change over processes. The wireless system enables a quicker and more reliable machine set up - achieved by the use of a linked controller, which displays the initial set-up values on each of the electronic position indicators.

An operator can simply choose the appropriate menu, then quickly re-set each spindle to its correct start position and the machine is “good to go”. This saves large amounts of time and greatly reduces the possibility of human error every time the line is changed or recalibrated.

This flexibility enables the Elesa system to be adapted as a mainstream option on all such machines and ensures it may be retrofitted to existing installations when upgrading a complete facility.

Fixed, revolving or fold-away handles and knobs from Elesa UK in technopolymer, phenolic-based Duroplast, aluminum or stainless steel. These kind of handles are widely used on rods or levers to facilitate the gripping to the operator. They are also used for assembly on handwheels and crank handles to comfortably manage the rotation.

Types of fixed, revolving or fold-away handles and knobs from Elesa UK include:
- handles
- T handles
- adjustable handles
- safety adjustable handles
- knurled grip knobs
- grip knobs
- two-volume handles
- handles with magnifying lens
- spherical knobs
- knurled handles
- fixed handles
- lever arms
- revolving handles
- two-volume revolving handles
- fold-away handles
- two-volume fold-away handles
- safety fold-away handles
- two-volume safety fold-away handles

New extended lever toggle clamps from Elesa provide a longer hold bar to hold items in position for working or fixing, allowing them to be secured across larger components. This extended lever allows the clamp arm to reach components in the middle of an assembly while giving clearance to view a template or positioning indices so that operators can work more easily around the clamped component.

These new clamps enable an even hold for welding on control jigs, moulds, templates and work pieces supporting across the whole item which saves time in production and enhances safety, providing a quick, temporary and secure location during secondary operations.

Elesa toggle clamps feature safety release handles in vertical or horizontal configuration for optimum operator convenience to suit the layout of individual work stations. This ensures rapid manual operation which is both fast and accurate, with preset safety (anti-release) lever to prevent accidental opening in the presence of strong vibrations, and to ensure that the operator's fingers cannot be hit by the lever while opening.

Extended lever toggle clamps are available with a flanged (folded) base plate or with a straight (insert) base to suit the orientation required.