PRODUCT REVIEWS
Faster bending for small batches
SafanDarley has added the E-Brake C 200T Ultra with Tool Mate to its press brake range .
“ The Tool Mate is an external automatic tool changer and offers great time savings when producing small batches ,” SafanDarley explained .
The servo-electric E-Brake C with 200- ton pressing force and a bending length of 4300mm is built with a C-frame , to enable automatic tool change .
“ The Tool Mate is very intuitive , with tool changes made via the SafanDarley E-Control . The correct tool settings can be loaded and used directly on the machine from our AutoPOL offline software ( or other independent offline bending simulation software ),” the Dutch sheet metal bending specialist told ISMR .
The high-precision changer ensures that tools are placed in the correct position . Intelligent software automatically makes any necessary changes so that tools , from the previous tool set-up , can be reused . This means considerably shorter tool changeover times for users . The tool storage magazine has a capacity for 32- , 52- or 60 metres of tools . n
Above : The servo-electric E-Brake C . Below : Tools can be rapidly placed in the correct position .
Cobot welding cell in focus
High-quality requirements , sustainability aspects and safety standards are driving the demands placed on welding technology even higher . Nowadays , reproducible welding quality and complete welding data documentation are ‘ state of the art ’. The solution is automation , even for small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ).
“ Although automated welding processes achieve significantly more consistent welding results , small and medium-sized businesses frequently still struggle with automation . High acquisition costs for welding robots and professional programming expertise are at odds with small batch sizes . Our CWC-S Cobot welding cell provides a solution to this mismatch ,” Fronius told ISMR .
“ Using precise torch movements with a repeatability of +/ - 0.04mm , weld reproducibility is guaranteed in the Cobot welding cell every time ( even in batches , if necessary ). Intelligent Fronius welding technology controls the welding process and records all welding data , as required . The WeldCube data management software , optionally available with the welding cell , stores and evaluates these data ,” it continued .
“ Programming a CWC-S is intuitive and can be quickly learned by any welding specialist ; programming expertise is not required . Components can be loaded and welding programs started by trainees ,” explained Christian Neuhofer , Product Manager , Fronius Welding Automation . “ This saves on personnel costs and frees professional welders for more challenging work , making their job more attractive .”
The welding torch is manually guided to the starting points , position points and end points on the component and these are confirmed by pressing a button . The software uses this information to calculate the welding contours and welding sequence , while the required welding parameters can also be quickly selected using pre-defined characteristics . Motion commands such as “ pendulum parameters ” or “ weld job ” can be inserted by dragging and dropping on the touchscreen of the Cobot control .
Before starting the welding process , the
operator can simulate the welding sequence once more to detect and correct possible interference contours .
The welding cell ’ s standard equipment includes a Fanuc Cobot CX10 iA with a reach of 1,249mm and a payload of 10kg , and a welding table with a working area of 1,500 x 1,000 x 700mm . Operator safety is catered for by a pneumatic glare shield , sliding side doors with viewing windows and an extraction hood .
“ Users can choose between the Fronius Welding Packages Standard ; Pulse ; LSC ( Low Spatter Control ); PMC ( Pulse Multi Control ) and CMT ( Cold Metal Transfer ), depending upon the intended area of use , while the TPS 320i or TPS 400i welding systems are available for the Cobot ( subject to the package selected ),” added Fronius .
“ The standard equipment can , of course , be supplemented with special starter packages or the user-friendly WeldConnect app , for example . Further options include an extraction system , a rotary unit ( including tailstock ) or the option of crane loading ,” it concluded . n
. fronius . com
Centre and below : Manual guidance for torch .
The CWC-S Cobot welding cell . www . ismr . net | ISMR July / August 2022 | 63