More protetion with bellows from HEMA
Bellows protect machines and equipment from contamination and are manufactured in many variations. Whether as an ELASTIC bellows or as a SAMURAI bellows additionally equipped with stainless steel fins, each bellows is custom-made to suit your specific application.
We use high-quality materials in the production of our bellows and regularly conduct rigorous material and product tests, such as operational tests with up to 3 million cycles.
The continuous development of our bellows is equally important to us. For the FASTCLICK bellows, we have further developed a proven principle and now use only two materials – this reduced material variety is another step towards greater sustainability.
Your advantages with bellows from HEMA
Individual
We manufacture our bellows in various designs individually tailored to your application - whether with special materials for laser, plasma and welding applications, special versions for medical technology or designs for high-speed applications
High product quality
HEMA offers you excellent product quality. In order to ensure this, we carry out extensive product and material testing in our test area and work together with external institutes.
Comprehensive protection
We offer you a comprehensive product range of bellows - from individual bellows to ready-to-install complete systems as a machine rear panel, complete with guide and attachment.
SAMURAI Bellows
The special feature of this series are the lamellas, which are attached to the upper edge of the folds. They additionally strengthen the bellows and protect it from hot or sharp-edged chips. Thanks to this equipment, the SAMURAI series is very well suited for HSC applications: HEMA has already developed solutions for machines with speeds of up to 100 meters per minute and accelerations above 2 g.
FASTCLICK Bellows
Our FASTCLICK bellows follow a tried and tested principle: The protective cover consists of a bellows that is additionally protected with steel lamelles, but with a special design: The lamellas can be simply clicked into the bellows, eliminating the need for conventional fastening using clips. For this purpose, pockets are welded from the folds at defined intervals using ultrasound, which give the slats a secure hold. The lamellas are designed in such a way that they also take on the function of a support frame. Damaged lamellas can be replaced more easily with the FASTCLICK bellows than with a conventional design. If there is sufficient installation space on the machine side, a slat can also be replaced with the bellows installed.
The FASTCLICK bellows are characterized by dynamic travel properties with a low weight - thanks to the optimized block/extension ratio, this concept requires 25 percent fewer lamellas than standard products. The more free the fold, the better the block/extension ratio FASTCLICK achieves, with an extension of up to 100 percent. The bellows provide a completely closed surface beneath the lamellas - and protection against liquid contamination.
Sustainable and service-friendly
The FASTCLICK bellows consists of only two recyclable materials, PP and metal. Thanks to the special lamella design, no support frames or adhesives are required - another step towards greater sustainability.
FASTLAP lamella apron
In some applications there is not enough space for a bellows or only protection of the slats is required. We have developed our SAMURAI lamella apron for precisely these cases.
The SAMURAI lamella apron is a modification of the SAMURAI bellows and was designed for use as a Z cover in machining centers. The base of the lamella aprons does not consist of an ELASTIC bellow but only a carrier material to which the lamellas are fixed.
ELASTIC Bellows
The ELASTIC bellows series offers numerous combination options. The basic components, as well as the material, shape, manufacturing method, and dimensions, are individually customized. Stabilizing frames in each fold, combined with the individual bellows material, ensure consistently high dimensional stability. Even in the event of mechanical deformation, this design ensures a return to the original shape. The connection between the bellows material and the support or guide frames can be achieved using various manufacturing methods – thermal bonding, high-frequency welding, or sewing.
Bellows for linear guides
These bellows protect machine parts, such as guideways, from dust and contaminants that can impair the smooth operation of machines and systems. We manufacture our bellows to individual specifications. Each bellows is made from robust, special fabric and is precisely tailored to the application and the specific machine in terms of material, shape, dimensions, and mounting.
Bellows for lifting tables or jet cutting machines
The ELASTIC bellows are used e.g. for lifting table applications or round sewn as an alternative to spiral springs to protect shafts, columns and spindles. In the design as a LAMINAT bellow this has a high inherent rigidity due to the combination of two materials.
As a bellow for jet cutting machines (laser, plasma or water jet), the ELASTIC bellow protects mechanical components such as spindles and guides, but also serves to protect the jet channel.
Bellows for special applications
For special applications, bellows made of soft PVC, rubber discs and rubber fabric bellows are suitable due to their special properties.
Soft PVC bellows are:
- oil, alkali, and acid resistant
- waterproof and dustproof
- particularly economical for larger production runs
- customizable; many shapes are already available
Rubber disc bellows are high-quality piston and spindle protection covers.
- complete sealing
- excellent compression ratios because each rubber disc rests on top of the other
Rubber fabric bellows consist of a two-component structure with a special coating and are recommended for:
- applications with particularly high wear
- high pressure conditions
- higher temperatures up to 200 °C
FAQ Bellow
What is a bellows?
A bellows is a protective cover for moving machine parts in one or more axes, for machine components such as guideways, scissor mechanisms of lifting tables, or sensitive components in machine tools. The bellows' length is variable due to its folds.
In which machines are bellows used?
In milling machines / turning machines with horizontal machining (2-axis backwall system), as roof cover for vertical machining, e.g. in gantry machines or as protection for guides, in 2D and 3D laser cutting systems, in grinding machines, measuring machines or for lifting tables or in 3D printers.
Are there universally compatible bellows?
Each bellows is always manufactured individually to suit the specific (machine) product. The geometry and dimensions of the machine part to be protected, as well as the various mounting options, are taken into account.
What is a bellows made of?
For the manufacture of a bellows, special fabrics with varying properties are used, such as being liquid-tight, high-temperature resistant, or highly rigid. The fabric material for the bellows body is selected based on the machine's application and the resulting requirements. For example, specially coated, liquid-tight fabrics are used for grinding machines with high coolant volumes. Self-extinguishing fabrics are chosen for laser cutting applications. Bellows for measuring machines must be particularly smooth-running and are equipped with special glides.
What is a bellows used for?
In milling and turning machines, bellows protect sensitive components from hot and sharp-edged chips. In high-quality machine components such as guideways, bellows protect against contamination on the guideway, thus maintaining accuracy in the machining process, reducing maintenance, and extending the service life of these valuable components. Bellows are also used to separate production areas within machines, for example, in a system with two cabins; machining takes place in cabin 1 while a new workpiece is loaded into cabin 2.
Do you have any further questions?
Our experts will be happy to advise you.
We will find the right solution for your application!
