PRODUCT REVIEWS
Wind tower construction
A ‘ 4.0-ready ’ metal finish
Since 2013 , Dutch deburring machine builder Q-Fin Quality Finishing Machines has made innovation its top priority and created the Q-Fin Knowledge Club ( QKC ). A key focus in recent years is software development . According to Q-Fin , its latest software has been developed so that operators can operate the touchscreen intuitively for machine set-up .
“ We supply our deburring and finishing machines with program selection in the operating menu . The machine operator can choose from a number of pre-set programs on the HMI screen , e . g . for large edge rounding , in combination with the correct material thickness . In addition , the operator has the option of inserting his own programs for products that regularly return to his company . After calibrating the brushes and selecting the correct program , the machine automatically sets the correct rotation and feed speeds . The program indicates which abrasives should be chosen for this program . The smart software is also ready for connection to a barcode scanner ,” explained Q-Fin .
As an option , all machines from the Q-Fin range can be equipped with the automatic brush height system ( ABS ) – the highest setting can also be controlled from the touchscreen . This , said the manufacturer , makes the Q-Fin machines ‘ ready for Industry 4.0 ’ and ‘ the perfect finish ’.
“ Q-Fin machines can be integrated into a smart production line for sheet metal parts . In practice , the deburring machine will often be placed directly after a laser cutting machine . In addition to the application of roller tables , driven infeed and outfeed tables and / or external return conveyor belt , solutions around the deburring machine also include robots or cobots that load and / or unload the machine . By ensuring a flawless surface finish and rounding , these reliable and easy-to-operate machines eliminate a common bottleneck in the production process , save manual labour ( that is often perceived as dirty , heavy and unhealthy ) and ensure products with a consistent high-quality finishing level ,” added the surface finishing specialist .
For double-sided finishing , the application of
a reversing unit for double-sided machining fits the picture of “ solutions around the deburring machine ”. Often heavy and / or large steel plate parts need a large radius , on both sides , for good powder coating adhesion . These parts must be passed through the machine twice and turned over in between . The latter is often done by hand or via overhead crane . This takes a lot of time , is strenuous work for the operators and is not one hundred per cent safe , explained Q-Fin .
“ According to our GrindingPower philosophy , the products can only be provided with a large radius at high speed , giving pressure on one side , so we developed the Q2S reversing station ( 600mm , 1200mm and 1500mm wide ). Incorporated in the deburring line , this reversing unit provides batch-wise double-sided machining at very high throughput speed . The system can be operated and maintained by one operator ,” it confirmed .
The DS600 and DS1200 are the most recent additions to the Q-Fin machine range . These machines remove ( heavy ) slag from steel parts in one pass and then feed the product through a Q-Fin deburring machine to apply a radius to the product .
“ This means that , in the next step of the production process , work can be done faster , cleaner and safer ,” said Q-Fin . “ In the production line , we see integration of the DS600 or DS1200 between the plasma cutting or oxy-fuel cutting machine and the deburring machine . The manual removal of the slag is eliminated in this process . We have seen increasing automation around both the cutting and deburring machine in recent years . For example , the cutting machine can be unloaded automatically , the deburring machine can be loaded by a cobot and products can be identified and / or marked again . However , for many metal processing companies , a drifted conveyor belt or return belt on the deburring machine already offers ease of use , so the process can be carried out by one operator .” n
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FICEP provides complete and integrated solutions for the wind tower sector .
“ The current trend is to design wind towers that are more powerful , higher , of larger diameter / greater thickness and with stringent tolerances ,” it told ISMR .
Its solution for this challenging mission is a new and innovative CNC work centre , ENERGY , for chamfering , drilling and marking operations on large plates . In combination with the Energy CNC work centre , FICEP is able to supply shot blasting solutions with its RB product line and thermal cutting operations with its Kronos systems . These production cells , with their integrated automatic material handling and stocking systems , encompass the entire scope of the plate fabrication process . “ The Energy represents a natural evolution , and addition to FICEP CNC gantry work centres , that are specifically designed for the welded girders used in the construction of bridges . The comprehensive scope of the FICEP product line is a natural fit for these complex applications ,” added the Italian manufacturer .
The Energy is equipped with two special milling heads , designed with variable speed planetary gearboxes . This enables the spindles to combine a low spindle speed whilst maintaining high torque of up to 1300N / mt . The spindles can also , if required , achieve speeds of up to 4,000RPM . All chamfering operations required can therefore be processed on the Energy , as well as drilling , marking and scribing .
“ The Energy incorporates a wide range of technological features which generate important benefits . These include high working speeds ; impressive chip removal rates ; high productivity ; the capacity to handle challenging work cycles and ease of use for operators ,” concluded FICEP . n
. ficep . com
52 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR May 2021