FOCUS ON FOLDERS brakes . The machine operators had to be well attuned to each other and lift and guide the large and heavy blank for each bend . Today , a single machine operator looks after the bending centre without actively intervening in the bending process . This means that a bending cycle can be completed precisely and repeatably in two minutes without any physically strenuous work .
“ This not only brings considerable cost benefits , but also protects the health of the employees . This ergonomic improvement has significantly added to the manufacturing efficiencies at Fireblock ,” added RAS .
An eye on efficiency
The Multibend-Center in operation at Fireblock Ireland .
Through the combined use of the RAS ProfileCenter , Fireblock has also achieved significant speed improvements in the production of door frames . Where it used to
The automatic two-place gantry loading system has revolutionised the production processes at Fireblock . By automating the entire loading process for the heavy and unwieldy sheet metal blanks , the Multibend- Center has raised the throughput speed and repeat accuracy in the production of door panels at the manufacturer ’ s facility .
A laser scanner in the suction frame of the gantry loading system reads all productionrelated information via a QR code attached to the blank . The Multibend Center then automatically loads the appropriate bending program and feeds the sheet metal blank to the bending centre . The exact position of the blank is measured on the material transfer table and then transferred to a precision manipulator , which guides the bent part through the bending process . If a sheet metal blank needs to be fed into the process by hand at short notice , the operator can do this by handing it over to the transfer table . This creates flexibility without any loss of speed .
Above and below : The RAS ProfileCenter automatically bends door frames at Fireblock Ireland .
Speed meets ergonomics
“ The RAS Multibend-Center is characterised by its high speed and efficiency . Not only are the pure bending processes carried out in record time , but the tool change is also lightning fast and automatic . This is the task of the tool changer , which positions the tool segments with precision . Due to the complex bending geometries , it is even common for a tool change to take place during the bending process on a door leaf . Many bending geometries would therefore be inconceivable without automatic tool changes . This enables Fireblock to produce sheet metal components in record time without having to compromise on quality ,” commented RAS .
It used to take two employees and ten minutes to produce a door panel on press-
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