The Schwanog Selector system has been designed to improve the inspection of randomly selected parts during series production runs.

Available in the UK from Baldock-based Floyd Automatic Tooling Ltd (www.floydautomatic.co.uk), the component selection system divides loose production batches into bins — up to eight in a unit.

In the case of ‘lights out’ or unmanned production, sorting costs and time can be reduced in the event of tool breakages or other disruptive factors.

The bins, which can be indexed automatically using time or quantity settings pre-determined by the user, are located on an indexing table that rotates when a bin achieves its set quantity or time.

Fed from the part conveyor/chute of the machine tool, the system can be used with a variety of machine tools, including single-spindle turning centres, multi-spindle automatic lathes, rotary-transfer machines, punching/stamping machines or gear-cutting machines.

The Schwanog Selector has been designed to reduce inspection time. If the parts in the final bin are inspected and correct, then the components in the previous seven bins will also be 100% correct.

However, if faulty components are found, the operator can work backwards and rapidly arrive at the point of failure. For the user, pinpointing where a fault occurred can be narrowed down to one component bin, as opposed to inspecting a complete production batch. For sensitive parts that must be free of scratches or surface imperfections, Schwanog offers oil-filled double bins.