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The SMC Expertise Hub

SMC Expertise in: Meeting your challenges

Because it’s not just about cylinders, valves or even flow sensors. What really matters to us is what you can do with them.

Get some inspiration from when our customers bring our products to life
 

From sampling to diagnosis without errors

Inpeco's revolutionary process automation system for anatomic pathology laboratories reduces the risk of error and increases the productivity of pathologists through end-to-end specimen tracking and automated paraffin block preparation using SMC's precise electric actuators and innovative Thermo-chiller.

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IPTE and SMC are collaborating on the development of an innovative testing solution for temperature control in the manufacture of electric vehicles.

In search of an innovative solution, IPTE, the Belgian multinational based in Reus, shared with its technological partner, SMC, the challenge of being able to cool parts during tests in a revolutionary system intended for one of its prestigious Tier 1 electric vehicle clients. The result: a robust, reliable, highly efficient solution, adaptable to various sectors and countries. The key to success has been continuous collaboration, customisation and after-sales service.

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Highly reliable wireless communications allow the smart machine to process over 10,000 tulip bulbs per hour

ISO, Horti Innovators, revolutionises agriculture and horticulture automation using robotics, vision technology, AI, and machine learning. Tulip bulb growers are among their key focal points. ISO developed a wireless communication solution, provided by SMC, that enables growers to efficiently sort and pack an unprecedented number of tulip bulbs while addressing complex design challenges.

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SMC drives compressed air efficiency at global automotive supplier Valeo

 

As part of a commitment to drive a 45% reduction in carbon footprint across its entire value chain by 2030 (and move towards carbon neutrality by 2050), global automotive supplier Valeo is taking advantage of the innovative air-saving initiatives and technologies available from industrial automation specialist SMC. The project, which began at Valeo in France but is rolling out across the group’s international locations, has delivered air consumption reductions of circa 50% in blowing and vacuum applications. Furthermore, reducing shop pressure (when possible) to 4 bar instead of the conventional 7 bar has provided 28% savings in compressed air without any compromise in efficiency.

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Perfect dosing for perfect tyres

The SMC products used in Colorservice's automatic plants are key components in ensuring reliability in continuous plant automation and perfect dosing of the raw materials used in the manufacture of tyres from all the world's leading manufacturers. In order to guarantee the highest level of tyre safety and performance, the numerous raw materials that make up tyres must be dosed to perfection. Modern tyres can require dozens of raw materials and additives for their manufacture, which must be carefully mixed and dosed according to the specific recipe required.

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Eagle eyes with a soft touch: Full automation versatility for RoboInspect from Roboworker

Perfectly matched pneumatic and electric solutions for machines that inspect sintered parts and other workpieces. Medical implants, indexable inserts, drills, end mills, gears – the variety of metallic and ceramic components used in different industries is virtually endless. If large quantities are required, many of these components can be produced using sintering. They are often first pressed from powder in a sintering process and then heated. Some of the finished workpieces have to be inspected, labelled and packaged. This is best done automatically, non-stop. To ensure efficient quality assurance, Roboworker has developed RoboInspect, a machine for micrometre-accurate, all-round inspection of workpieces with high requirements. Both there and in other systems of the Roboworker product range, a wide range of electrical and pneumatic automation components from SMC are used.

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Food in pouches: an appealing convenience

IMA Fillshape's revolutionary food pouch forming and filling machines leverage SMC solutions to boost productivity and reliability.
The flexible plastic pouches are increasingly popular with consumers around the world due to their excellent ease of use. Convenient and lightweight, they first became popular for baby food packaging, but are now widely used for a variety of other products, such as juices, sports drinks and wellness foods

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Precise Measurement Technology that is also great for the Climate

Unique treasure trove of data after world sailing tour.
Around the world in 80 days: that’s what sailor Boris Herrmann achieved at the beginning of 2021 in the toughest ocean regatta, the Vendée Globe. Defying all odds to reach the finish line is a challenge for human and material – right down to the smallest cells and components. Precise and robust technology from marine technology supplier SubCtech and pneumatics specialist SMC provided unique environmental benefits: During the round-the-world voyage of Herrmann's "Seaexplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco", an automated laboratory collected, among other things valuable CO2data over hitherto little-travelled sea routes. And another realisation: The success lies in the component.

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Low-cost and clean food production is no piece of cheese

An innovation in protecting cylinders by SMC ensures lower-cost and consistently clean cheese production at Bayerische Milchindustrie eG. Whether for breakfast or with a glass of wine: cheese is much more than a staple food, it is a real indulgence. To keep it that way, high hygiene standards need to be satisfied during production. Among other things, aggressive chemicals are used to clean the production machinery, which previously required the use of durable, but expensive stainless steel cylinders. Thanks to a joint development by SMC and Technoflon Coating Systems, much lighter and lower cost aluminium cylinders can now be used – a real innovation for the food industry.

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Girbau optimises the energy efficiency of its automated ironing line in collaboration with SMC

Sustainability and reduction of energy consumption have been key values for Girbau for many years. The company has recently launched a new ironing unit that is part of a complete automated line. Close collaboration between Girbau and SMC has made it possible to improve ironing quality and achieve an energy saving of 30%, a reduction of 25% in compressed air consumption and a 25% increase in the useful life of textile coatings.

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Flexible filling for healthy and sustainable foods

In the vast market for packaging machinery, the Swiss company EmbaPlan GmbH specialises in the development and manufacture of flexible filling machines for small quantity production runs, adapted to the needs of innovative and regional producers of high-quality foods. The company recently made a major upgrade to one of their filling machine models, adding a valve manifold from SMC for extra flexibility and performance.

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SMC’s position sensor transforms 360-degree window sanding machine from MB Maschinenbau into a true all-rounder

Is there a draught? If the answer is “yes”, then the window frame or door frame doesn’t fit properly. To ensure your home stays warm and the doors and windows to look attractive, all parts for these products need to be produced with great precision and sanded to perfection. Conventional all-around sanders can only be used either for window or door components. With just a minor design change, MB Maschinenbau has now made its ROBA Fentech profile sanding machine for wooden window profiles also suitable for door frames. When combined with an optical sensor, the D-MP position sensor from SMC ensures that the machine optimally recognizes all workpieces.

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Detect every leak: Precise leak detection for technical components. High-vacuum angle valves from SMC ensure clean and precise leak-detection tests at Worthmann

Worthmann has developed a helium leak-tightness test system, which uses high vacuum and mass spectrometers to identify even the smallest leaks in components – and it takes only one minute. High-vacuum angle valves from SMC’s XLA series provide the long service life and robustness necessary for the task.

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Face to face, not virtual

While large companies are focusing entirely on digitisation, many small and medium-sized businesses are dependent on person-to-person support. Instead of investing energy in developing digital platforms, the innovativeness in this segment primarily arises from integrating external expertise into the development process. And this happens in an entirely hands-on, face-to-face manner, rather than virtually. The great success of this method indicates that it won't be going out of style in a hurry.

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A rebirth in the name of innovation

SMC, the world leader in pneumatic automation, and DMC Automation of Turin, which has created a robotic island equipped with SMC components, including an innovative wireless control transmission system, is a solid and stimulating technological partnership oriented towards the search for cutting-edge solutions.

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Pneumatics in corrugated board production

SMC's comprehensive offering of pneumatic automation components and worldwide presence, contribution to Fosber´s maximum reliability corrugated lines. Fosber, a key player in the global corrugated lines market counts on SMC for their pneumatic automation challenges. Comprehensive portfolio and worldwide presence behind this alliance of over 30 years.

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Check out the SMC Experts’ Reports


A more in-depth view on the following topics:
Energy efficiency 

Air treatment 

Industry 4.0 

Robotics 

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SMC Expertise in: Meeting your challenges

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