PRODUCT REVIEWS
Three in one V-series
Insufficient material flow during the deep drawing process can lead to thinning and cracks in the part . ( Image : Schuler ).
Drawing edge monitoring to improve part quality
Deep drawing , particularly at high drawing levels and for small radii , is an especially demanding metalforming process . Insufficient material flow during the deep drawing process can lead to thinning and cracks in the part and if too much material flows , folding can be an unwelcome consequence . The material remaining after the forming process , the socalled flange or drawing edge , directly affects part quality . Schuler has therefore developed a drawing edge monitoring capability that helps to immediately assess part quality .
“ The number one priority for our customers is reducing scrap not just to save costs , but increasingly also to meet sustainability goals ,” explained Michael Werbs , Director of Edge Solutions , Schuler . An application of this type is already in use in the Smart Press Shop , the joint venture between Porsche and Schuler in Halle ( Saale ).
Using a forming simulation , the drawing edge at critical locations can be determined in advance and compared to the values obtained in practice . The associated data , with a unique identification number for the part , are stored in a database . Based on the insights obtained , modifications to the process or changes to the oiling or drawing cushion forces can be made before the part shows visible quality defects such as cracks or folds .
“ Previously , it was necessary to use special dies with integrated expensive material flow measurement systems and the additional connections required . The drawing edge- monitoring capability that we have developed is based on cameras mounted in the press space , which is why the system is dieindependent and can monitor the drawing process in any die used on the press . In a fraction of a second , the system provides information on whether a good part was produced ,” explained the press specialist .
Schuler offers customised modern technology in all areas of forming — from the networked press to press shop planning . In addition to presses , its products include automation , dies , process expertise and service for the entire metalworking industry . Schuler ’ s Digital Suite brings together solutions for networking forming technology and is continuously being developed to further improve line productivity and availability . Schuler ’ s customers include automotive manufacturers and suppliers , as well as companies in the forging , household appliance and electrical industries . Presses from the Schuler Group mint coins for more than 180 countries .
Founded in 1839 at its headquarters in Göppingen , Germany , Schuler has approx . 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe , China and the Americas , as well as service companies in more than 40 countries . The company is part of the international technology group , ANDRITZ . n
www . schulergroup . com
At the Productronica trade fair this November , FOBA presented its M1000 compact laser workstation with integrated 3W UV / 5W UV / 10W green laser . All three wattages are combined in one product for minimum space requirements with flexibility . The easy and space-saving integration of the multifunctional UV and green laser head was the main focus at the FOBA booth .
“ Our customers have signalled that saving space in production is an important issue for them . Therefore , we are very pleased to introduce this next generation of the FOBA V-Series ; it is so compact that the laser head fits into our smallest laser workstation ,” outlined Philipp Febel , Director Product Management , FOBA .
Due to the wavelength and the corresponding low heat input during marking , 355 and 532nm lasers are suitable for high-contrast laser marking of delicate and sensitive materials . Visitors to Productronica in Munich also saw a live demonstration of the Mosaic software feature on the FOBA M2000 stand-alone laser marking machine .
“ FOBA Mosaic enables marking without a fixture , regardless of the position under the marking laser . This allows components to be precisely marked independent of their placement in the laser marking machine ,” explained FOBA . n
www . fobalaser . com
The FOBA M1000 compact laser marking unit , in which a FOBA UV laser can be integrated .
86 | ismr . net | ISMR November 2023