PRODUCT REVIEWS
Productive plate processing
“ Our Gemini gantry-style CNC plate processor is a suitable solution for manufacturers who wish to optimise their productivity and competitive advantage in the market ,” FICEP told ISMR .
Gemini ’ s diverse capability allows it to automatically process , in a single production cell , a range of plate sizes . Typical processes include thermal cutting ; marking ; milling ; drilling ; tapping ; chamfering and more .
“ This enables starting from a stock plate and ending up with finished parts in a fully automatic process . Some existing users attest to a total cycle time reduction of 40 % over previous methods . We believe that its diverse functionality , automation and performance generate important competitive advantages in terms of cost reduction ( less material handling ), as multiple operations can be done on the same work cell ); a reduction in complete cycle time and production costs as well as less scrap material ,” it added .
Gemini has been successfully employed in plate fabrication processes to produce agricultural and earth-moving machines .
This type of fabrication typically involves the processing of alloy wear-resistant material in the production of precise manufactured parts of various thicknesses and dimensions . System features include : -
n A double-bridge gantry design and construction for extreme rigidity and high precision and accuracy . n High-speed milling and drilling with 7,000 RPM spindle speeds complete with an automatic tool changer . n Axes movements are guided through hardened and ground rack and pinion systems . n A precision laser system is integrated for plate referencing which automatically rotates the part nesting program to eliminate
the need to square plates before processing . n Multiple integrated plate clamps , within the double bridge , rapidly secure the plate to the working bench to eliminate vibration and extend tool life . n The secondary X axis reduces chip-tochip time by eliminating the need to reposition the gantry and generate a clamp and unclamp cycle after each drilling or milling process .
BlechExpo visitors are warmly welcome to the Ficep booth 9304 in Hall 9 during the exhibition in Stuttgart , Germany ( 26-29 October 2021 ). n
Partial press hardening
AP & T ’ s patented solution for partial press hardening of structural car body parts – TemperBox ® – is now globally available to both OEMs and suppliers in the automotive industry .
“ GEDIA Automotive , the company that holds an exclusive manufacturing license for the European market , and AP & T agreed to grant OEMs , and other suppliers , access to the technological advantages of the TemperBox ®,” said Dr . Christian Koroschetz , Chief Sales Officer , AP & T .
“ The technology allows a combination of hard and soft zones in a single finished part , paving the way for innovative body designs and cost-efficient , cycle-time-neutral production . Individually defined areas of press hardened components can be fully hardened to maximize strength while other areas remain soft and maintain the desired ductility and / or facilitate post processing , such as joining or mechanical cutting . This means that designers and manufacturing engineers can work more freely without having to consider costly reinforcements , cycle-timeintensive hardening processes or other tailored solutions ,” added the press manufacturer . TemperBox ® can be integrated in new and existing press hardening lines . n
:// aptgroup . com
82 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR September 2021