PRODUCT REVIEWS
Part and strip levelling
KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH will once again be returning to the Blechexpo trade show in Stuttgart this November with its own booth 5502 in Hall 5 . It will showcase its latest innovations in part and strip levelling , including a solution for automated part levelling , during live demonstrations at the exhibition . The solution is designed to improve efficiency and reduce ongoing costs with pre-programmed operation .
“ We not only ensure process optimisation through level and low-tension sheets , but also through contemporary coworking . Loading and unloading small parts , in particular , is an activity that can be easily automated with a cobot , especially when large batch sizes are involved . This is because the actual part levelling often only takes a few seconds whereas over the levelling process as a whole , the most time is
CPL 120 compact precision levelling machine for the production of connectors . taken up by parts handling ,” it explained .
The surface-processing specialist highlighted the various benefits of using a cobot . With bin picking , or “ reaching into the box ”, the cobot can use a 3D camera to remove parts that are randomly arranged in a bin and feed them , in the correct orientation , for further processing . Bin picking , it told ISMR , replaces tedious manual tasks , leaving skilled personnel to concentrate on their core duties . A cobot that enables close cooperation with humans , without a separating guard , can also take over an additional work shift or , if necessary , compensate for anticipated staff shortages .
At Blechexpo , KOHLER will also be presenting a compact precision levelling machine ( CPL ) specifically for levelling strip material ( even from thin coil material ) for plugs , connectors and electronic components for the connector industry . The robust levelling machine features 19 hard chrome-coated levelling rollers , supported by a large number of supporting rollers .
“ The small roller diameter means that even thin strips can be precision-levelled . The CPL as a complete system , with horizontal coiler
KOHLER Peak Performer part levelling machine with cobot for automated parts handling .
for different coil weights , can also be found on the stand belonging to Leicht Stanzautomation GmbH ( stand 6207 , Hall 6 ) at Blechexpo in Stuttgart ,” concluded KOHLER .
KOHLER develops and produces part levelling machines and strip feeding lines for presses and stamping machines as well as cut-to-length lines for steel service centres , mechanical engineering firms and for the automotive industry . At its levelling centre , the company levels sheet metal for contract clients and carries out levelling tests . Its headquarters and production facility are in the southern German town of Lahr . KOHLER also has sales and service sites in Shanghai ( China ); Moscow ( Russia ) and Salt Lake City ( USA ). n
www
. kohler-germany . com
Fibre laser tube cutting
BLM GROUP opened the doors recently to its facilities in Levico Terme ( Trento , Italy ) to offer its customers the chance to get up close to its technology during ‘ Innova 2023 ’. This year , attendees gained firsthand access to its new Lasertube LT12 : a fibre laser cutting system for tubes and metal profiles that can cut tubes from 25-305mm in diameter .
“ LT12 can be equipped with different laser powers and is capable of processing tubes of up to 62kg / m . The structure is configured with a mandrel at the tail and a steady rest that supports the tube being cut . One of the innovations of the Lasertube system is ‘ interpenetration ’ where the mandrel enters the steady rest to cut the end of the bar for minimal waste ,” explained BLM GROUP .
“ The tube is supported throughout the processing line for rapid laser cutting on both small-diameter tubes and long , heavy tubes , while maintaining speed and precision over a range of diameters . This is a flexible system that caters to multiple sectors but is of particular interest to those industries where it is common to find open and closed profiles that can be up to 305mm in diameter ,” it continued .
The new Lasertube system is modular in both loading and unloading lengths . Two sizes for loading ( 8.5m and 12.5m ) and several sizes for unloading are available . The option of loading bar lengths of up to 12.5m was made to elevate processing through nesting , which arranges each cut on the bar to make the most of the material while minimising unused bar sections .
‘ Drill & tap ’ is an additional function that allows drilling and tapping with the additional option of employing FlowDrill technology directly in the Lasertube system . The machining unit is equipped with an 8- or
Inset below : The new Lasertube LT12 .
16-position tool magazine that allows the wear rate of each tool to be monitored .
For the first time on a Lasertube from ADIGE-SYS , Active Scan has been introduced . This technology ( developed by BLM GROUP ) makes it possible to autocorrect the positioning of geometries on the tubes to be cut . n
www . blmgroup . com
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