PRODUCT REVIEWS
AirCut plasma cutter to debut at EuroBLECH
TEKA Absaug- und Entsorgungstechnologie GmbH , headquartered in Coesfeld ( Germany ), will be presenting a product premiere at EuroBLECH in Hanover ( 22-25 October 2024 ) on stand F58 in Hall 13 . A complete plasmacutting system from TEKA will be on show for the first time at the trade fair .
“ The new AirCut series is an integral solution in which all components are harmonised with one another : plasma cutting head ; flame cutting table ; EcoCube filter system ; CAD / CAM software ; component library and Industry 4.0 connection . One advantage of the new complete solution is that it can be installed , ready for cutting , within one day according to the plug & play principle . The new systems are aimed particularly at the needs of small and medium-sized metalworking companies . They combine precision , robustness , user-friendliness and moderate costs ,” explained TEKA .
TEKA offers the new AirCut plasma cutting systems via various sales channels . On its neighbouring stand at EuroBLECH , Eckert Cutting ( Hall 13 , Stand E52 ), a large-format AirCut system will be showcased .
The new plasma cutting systems from TEKA are available in two sizes at launch : as
The new TEKA AirCut plasma cutting system .
an AirCut medium-format system with an effective cutting area of 1250mm x 2500mm and as an AirCut large-format system with a cutting area of 1520mm x 3060mm . They offer a maximum positioning speed of up to 40,000mm / minute and a positioning accuracy of ≤0.15mm / metre .
“ A flame-cutting table made of welded structural steel ensures maximum stability , and the precise rack and pinion drive for the X and Y axes of the guide machine is a design element that guarantees not just accuracy but also durability . Ease of operation and user-friendliness were also among the key requirements for our developers ,” added TEKA .
A free-standing operating terminal with
Intel Core i5 processor and 19-inch screen is included as part of the AirCut system . The CAD / CAM software supplied , including a component library , controls the cutting processes . A Panasonic FB-I4C InfoHub module , with cloud access and networking options via M2M communication protocols ( such as OPC UA and MQTT ) is designed for Industry-4.0 connectivity .
To ensure a clean working environment , TEKA has equipped the automatic extraction table with sectional control . An integrated interface allows for remote start and power supply of the filter system . For the AirCut series , the developers have chosen the W3- certified EcoCube filter system .
“ EcoCube filter systems follow the plugand-play principle . They can be installed and ready for operation on-site in less than half an hour . In the AirCut series , the EcoCube filter systems are available in two performance levels : EcoCube 5.5kW ( medium format ) and EcoCube 7.5kW ( large format ). They actively adjust the required suction power during the cutting process ,” concluded TEKA . n
www . teka . eu
Robotic handling of steel bar and tube
German sawing machine and storage system manufacturer , KASTO , has introduced an automated magnetic handling system for long stock , enabling steel stockholders to speed and simplify order picking .
Automatically handling long stock that has been placed randomly in a cassette is challenging , as the position of each
The new , twin-robot KASTOpick bar system for automatically picking up randomly placed magnetic steel long stock and stacking it for subsequent added-value processing or bundling . item is difficult to predict . KASTOpick bar incorporates a pair of robots that allows users to autonomously pick magnetic bright drawn or black steel material of flat , square or round cross-section ( bar and tube ), lying in any orientation .
“ There is no need for users to teach-in the robot movements . To start the process , the system deploys an optical sensor to scan the storage cassette , which can be up to six metres in length . An algorithm processes the 3D point cloud generated by the scan ,” outlined KASTO .
Intelligent software analyses the data to identify the location of each stock item as well as potential gripping points for the robots . Points are only considered if they allow stock to be picked up and deposited without collision . The software then optimises movement to the target position , after which the process starts anew with the next scan .
“ The handling system communicates with the stockholder ’ s enterprise resource planning system to provide the right material at the right time and location if on-site processing is required , such as cutting to length by a saw . The software also directs placement of material to ensure that it is stacked in an ideal pattern for bundling and strapping , based on
material dimensions and order volume ,” added KASTO .
In its standard version , KASTOpick bar handles loads of up to 500kg , although systems capable of lifting heavier loads may be supplied on request . A range of grippers is available to provide customised solutions to suit the shape and size of the items to be moved . The system automatically selects the suitable magnetic gripper for each task .
“ With its intuitive interface , KASTOpick bar is easy and efficient for operators to use without extensive training or specialised technical knowledge . Warehouse staff no longer have to remove and transport heavy and cumbersome material by hand or crane . Companies therefore minimise physical demands on employees , preventing injuries and accidents . Labour can be used more efficiently in the workplace , lowering operating costs and speeding added-value processing and deliveries ,” added KASTO .
The compact system joins existing KASTOpick handling solutions such as KASTOpick select , KASTOpick sheet and KASTOpick bar . n
www . kasto . com
126 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2024