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Fully electric insertion system for slat blind production

Fully electric insertion system for slat blind production

What a fastening machine does

In slat blind production, the individual slats are connected to each other by side-guided support cords. These support cords are used to adjust the slat angle within the blind package. The support cords are attached to the slats using clips, which are pressed or shot in automatically by an electric cylinder.

With the newly developed VR90 insertion system, Schenker Storen AG is consistently focusing on the future:
The new system automatically inserts and assembles the slat curtains. It is a true all-in-one solution – from cutting the support cord to inserting it and checking the connection between the cord and the slats, everything runs automatically.
Fully electric servo drive technology from Parkem ensures double cycle times, maximum process reliability, and noticeably improved ergonomics in system operation.
This is another step toward energy-efficient and sustainable production – in line with Parkem's “go green” philosophy.

Initial situation – limits of pneumatics reached

After years of intensive use, the existing system was technically and ergonomically outdated.
Pneumatic and mechanical components regularly caused malfunctions, downtime, and high maintenance costs. Energy consumption was high and precision limited – a classic situation for modernization using electric drive technology.
The goal: a modern, low-maintenance, fully electric solution that combines higher precision, shorter cycle times, and better operator ergonomics – while significantly reducing energy consumption.

Solution – Swiss engineering powered by Parkem

The new VR90 insertion system was developed in close cooperation between Schenker Storen, Innomatic, and Parkem – a successful example of modern Swiss mechanical engineering expertise.
The system processes slat lengths from 356 to 4800 mm with pitches from 242 mm using fully automated processes: from cutting the carrier cord to precise insertion and digitally monitored quality control.

Core components of the system

32 Profinet servo axes (drive & motor) based on KEBA KeDrive D3

  • Compact Profinet multi-axis system
  • 3 axes/module → up to 75% space savings in the control cabinet
  • Integrated safety functions
  • Main control cabinet image: The power supply plus 6 three-axis controllers (18 axes in total) require just 310 x 440 mm of space in the control cabinet.

20 Unimotion PNCE32 electric cylinders

  • Axial play < 0.02 mm thanks to precise ball screw
  • No compressed air – up to 70% energy savings compared to pneumatics
  • Quiet, clean, efficient, precisely positionable

10 Profinet stepper motor axes for auxiliary movements and feed systems

Intuitive KeTop safe-wireless control panel

  • Thanks to the safe-wireless option, the operator can reach any location in the system wirelessly and safely with the HMI.

All movements are electric, digitally parameterizable, and precise.
Parameters such as insertion speed, end position, or acceleration can be freely defined and adjusted at any time in a reproducible manner – a decisive advance over pneumatic systems.

Result: double the output, lower operating costs

The new system impresses with maximum productivity and reliability. Throughput has been proven to have doubled, downtime has been greatly reduced, and energy consumption and maintenance costs have been significantly lowered.
The optimized cycle time alone results in annual savings of over 2600 production hours:

  • Cycle time from 5.5 to 2.6 seconds (doubling throughput): ≈ 1000 hours/year
  • Automatic clip/carrying cord control (more precise): ≈ 950 hours/year
  • Automated TSA cutting (process integration): ≈ 350 h/year
  • Smaller pitches from 242 mm (more flexible): ≈ 300 h/year
  • Total savings: ≈ 2600 h/year

Ergonomics & ease of use – smarter, quieter, more efficient

The new system also offers clear advantages for employees:
The curtains are inserted at an ergonomic working height, and the intuitive KeTop control panel with safe wireless technology ensures a clear overview, easy process adjustment, and flexible range of motion.
The quiet, low-vibration movements increase comfort and reduce strain – a noticeable improvement in terms of working environment and ergonomics.

Well-established partnership

Innomatic was responsible for project management, while Parkem handled the integration and design of the electric axes.
The more than 20-year partnership between Schenker Storen and Parkem was also a decisive factor in the success of the project: open communication, concentrated experience from the last 20 years of collaboration, technical excellence, and solution-oriented engineering led to this impressive result.
Christian Wies, Production Manager at Schenker Storen AG, says: "With the new VR90, we are doubling our output while reducing the workload on our employees – thanks to precise electric servo technology and sophisticated design. And it fits perfectly into our sustainability strategy, as we are increasingly focusing on energy-efficient and low-maintenance technologies. With this fully electric solution, we are significantly reducing the proportion of pneumatics in our overall production and saving operating costs and energy in the long term."

Conclusion – Sustainable automation made in Switzerland

The VR90 insertion system marks a milestone for Schenker in slat production: double the productivity, higher precision, better ergonomics, and lower energy consumption.
Proof of what is possible when Swiss engineering, modern servo drive technology, and Parkem's sustainable automation expertise come together.

Video
Comparison of electromechanics and pneumatics Schenker Storen AG