PRODUCT REVIEWS
AP & T / Norgren ’ s turnkey system for quick sheet handling and feeding .
TemperBox ® in a compact solution including AP & T ’ s Multi-Layer Furnace , automation equipment and control system .
Blank forming and feeding
AP & T ’ s transforming grippers .
AP & T in Germany has received an order from one of the world ’ s foremost automotive manufacturers for its patented solution for advanced partial press hardening , TemperBox ®. The order also includes AP & T ’ s Multi-Layer Furnace , automation equipment , control system and integration . The equipment will be delivered , installed and commissioned this autumn .
“ TemperBox ® makes it possible to combine hard and soft zones in one and the same structural part , creating new possibilities for innovative design and making the next generation of vehicles lighter and safer . The fact that one of the world ’ s foremost automotive manufacturers – Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen – has now chosen our solution for partial press hardening as its technology of choice is certainly positive ,” said Achim Krauß , Area Sales Manager , AP & T Germany .
The TemperBox ® will be used for test manufacturing several different parts , a process that demands flexibility . Part of the test was getting the equipment to fit into the limited space of the existing press area . AP & T ’ s Multi-Layer Furnace , one layer of which consists of the TemperBox ® module , helped resolve the space issue .
The blank to be formed is transported from a loading station to one of the ‘ usual ’ furnace layers by a four-axis SpeedFeeder . After being heated to about 900 degrees , the blank is transferred to the TemperBox ® module for partial cooling . It then moves on to be fed and formed in the press tool .
With TemperBox ®, individually defined areas of press-hardened components can be fully hardened to maximize strength , while the other individually defined areas remain soft . This is to achieve the required ductility levels and / or to facilitate post processing ( such as joining or mechanical cutting ), allowing designers and manufacturing engineers to work more freely without considering costly reinforcements , cycletime-intensive hardening processes or other tailored solutions .
AP & T has also developed a turnkey system for quick handling and feeding of different blank formats , without timeconsuming gripper changes , with Norgren . “ By combining our rapid blank feeder with Norgren ’ s Transforming Tooling gripper system , we can offer a complete , fully automated , turnkey solution for efficient movement of blanks in varying formats , without gripper changes ,” explained Christer Bäckdahl , Chief Technology Officer at AP & T .
The system is suitable for manufacturers who produce different components on the same line and therefore need to regularly change grippers . The same programmable gripper solution is used to handle all blanks , regardless of shape and size . The transition is automatic and takes less than two minutes . n
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Joining the dots
Reference points adhere to the surface matted with the AESUB scanning spray .
AESUB provides reference points for universal 3D scanning which are system-independent . Reference points that facilitate the acquisition of 3D objects with optical scanners are now available quickly and independently of the system .
“ Up until now , self-adhesive reference points were almost exclusively available as measuring accessories from the device manufacturers . As a manufacturer of sublimating scanning sprays , we can offer the points very quickly and cost-effectively using our widespread partner network . AESUB dots are available for various scanning technologies in all common diameters ,” commented the manufacturer .
The reference points can be placed on the object to be measured both before and after spraying with the AESUB scanning spray . The reference points adhere to the spray coating and can be easily removed again .
“ Using our scanning spray and dots make scanning glossy and reflective surfaces much easier and more efficient ,” AESUB added . n
Left : AESUB dots product family . They are available in diameters from 0.8 to 12mm .
60 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR December 2021 / January 2022