FOCUS ON PUNCHING
Example of a data centre ( image : Legrand ).
fabrication solutions . These range from one-off custom designs or prototypes to full production batch runs . Its fabrication team offers services such as cutting / guillotine ; bending / folding to 2m lengths ; punching ; spot welding and stud insertion . It also has a wide range of metal fabrication machinery including a 4-axis automated press brake .
Packing a punch
Until recently , Olson Electronics relied on manual equipment such as power presses , shears and guillotines to produce the enclosures for its PDUs . However , the arrival of Mark Rebeiro as production manager sixteen months ago signalled a shift in philosophy .
“ I had a CNC punching machine at my previous employer and knew the advantages it could bring ,” Mark Rebeiro explained . “ While there was no problem with quality regarding our previous methods of manufacturing enclosures , it was all about gaining efficiencies and being more flexible . The previous process was quite rigid : if the equipment had a 50mm square tool , we got a 50mm square cut-out – that was it . By contrast , investing in a CNC punching machine would allow us to produce any size of cut-out using just one tool .”
Olson Electronics shortlisted two CNC punching machines , but the company already had a TRUMPF TruBend 3066 CNC press brake that arrived a few years previously to replace manual sheet-metal bending , a factor that was set to influence the purchase decision .
“ It made sense to invest in the TruPunch 1000 , as well as TRUMPF tooling and software , to provide brand familiarity across the business ,” said Mark Rebeiro . “ We now have everything that we need from one supplier .”
The TruPunch 1000 .
Installed in April 2022 , the TruPunch 1000 at Olson Electronics is predominantly processing galvanised steel or zintec from 0.9 to 1.5mm thick , sometimes up to 2mm thick
“ The compact entry-level TruPunch 1000 is extremely flexible , cost-effective and quick , processing sheet of up to 6.4mm thick at up to 600 strokes per minute . Importantly , Delta Drive dynamics eliminate the need for the sheet and support table to move in the Y axis , while full automation is possible in line with business development ,” commented TRUMPF .
Flexibility in focus
Installed in April 2022 , the TruPunch 1000 at Olson Electronics is predominantly processing galvanised steel or zintec from 0.9 to 1.5mm thick , sometimes up to 2mm thick . Batch sizes extend from one-offs up to thousands .
All enclosures are programmed using TRUMPF TruTops Boost software . The company creates models in 3D modelling software and exports them into TruTops Boost for automated disassembly . By activating the ‘ Boost ’ button , Olson Electronics can take advantage of a quicker process from geometry to NC program , while the software also allows more efficient material use via a shared order pool and ‘ Lean Nest ’ nesting processor .
“ It ’ s early days in terms of cycle time and process cost reductions . However , these are things that we can now measure as we get actual run times from the TruPunch 1000 for evaluation ,” explained Mark Rebeiro .
“ For us , the investment is more about flexibility , particularly with the global supply chain issues that the entire manufacturing industry is currently witnessing . If a component we use regularly is unavailable , we can select an alternative safe in the knowledge that the TruPunch 1000 can produce different cut-out sizes in our enclosures without any need for new tooling . Previously , the components we specified were ‘ set in stone ’ because of the tooling we had available .”
Unlocking new markets
“ We offer the largest range of punching tools on the market . Among the innovations is our MultiTool , which allows users to perform punching , forming and embossing processes highly productively . Up to ten different inserts in one tool adapter ensure shorter set-up and tool-change times ,” TRUMPF told ISMR .
LDU and Olson EV new product ranges have also been launched successfully by the addition of this new punch press . Clearly , the transition from manual equipment to CNC punching technology at Olson Electronics is yielding many benefits .
“ Business is currently good ; we ’ re seeing steady growth year-on-year and increasing our headcount in certain areas ,” concluded Mark Rebeiro at Olson Electronics . “ In addition , our new TruPunch 1000 has opened up other markets that we are now looking to penetrate .” n