Case Studies

The Challenge

A major manufacturer of trailer curtains commissioned the development of a machine that would speed up the production process of their trailer curtains. This market-leading customer produces up to 500 curtains per week, and their manual process took up to three people around 3 hours per curtain. Their goal was to reduce the cycle time to under 40 minutes, with a single operator, while retaining the automotive quality requirements of having durable seams.

The Solution

SolarEdge Automation Machines developed a conveyorized welding station, theSM-321-HA, that feeds the fabric from a heavy duty, motorized unwinding station with automatic edge correction and digital fabric tension control. Multiple high-power welding heads installed on three tool bridges automatically apply horizontal and vertical reinforcing straps of 50 mm, up to 350 mm. The SM-321-HA series machines work straight from the jumbo roll for mass production, or it can process individual, pre-printed or pre-cut panels.

Our software team also developed a macro program allowing for the creation of the highly complex CAD drawings (that are then sent to the machine) in a few minutes.

Record-breaking production volumes. High-quality products.

Prior to the installation of SolarEdge Automation Machines’ solution, this manufacturer produced trailer side curtains using manually operated hot air or HF welders. The introduction of SM-321-HA revolutionized the trailer curtains industrial manufacturing. Rather than multiple man-hours, less than half an hour is now required to produce a trailer curtain. Following a number of upgrades and R&D activities, this machine is now able to produce a soft side trailer curtain between 18 and 25 minutes, down from 40.

A powerful vacuum turbine, combined with the conveyor belt guarantee total fabric control. This way, the SM-321-HA works with extreme precision, even when making extra-large products. As the quality and safety requirements in the automotive industry are very strict, welding tools were designed to create extremely durable seams. Whether the straps are applied horizontally or vertically, whether they are 50 mm or 350 mm wide, the SM-321-HA delivers quality curtains in record time.

SolarEdge Automation Machines installed more than 30 SM-321-HA series machines in 10 countries.