PRODUCT REVIEWS
Tube bending technologies
Unison Tube LLC , the North American division of UK-based Unison Ltd , will present several innovative tube manipulation technologies at FABTECH ( North America ’ s largest metalforming , fabricating , welding and finishing event ) from 8-10 November 2022 .
Unison machines on show at Booth C10217 will include an all-electric Breeze Twin- Head tube bending machine and one of the company ’ s new Synergy hybrid , multi-stack tube benders . Unison will also use FABTECH to launch the most advanced version of its Opt2Sim tube bending simulation software , with several free software licenses up for grabs .
“ Equipped with the recently upgraded Unibend control , an operating system offering speed enhancements of up to 25 %, the allelectric Unison Twin Head 1 ½ ” ( maximum tube diameter ) machines will precisionbend two ends of a tube simultaneously . This capability makes them well suited to the high-speed manufacture of symmetrical tubular shapes typically found in automotive ,
agricultural and furniture applications ,” Unison told ISMR .
Officially launched at the MACH machine tool show in the UK earlier this year , Unison ’ s new Synergy machines combine electric and hydraulic operation with high levels of control . Developed for organisations that carry out high-volume , repetitive tube bending tasks , Synergy models are available in 2 ” ( 50mm ) and 3 ” ( 80mm ) versions . They feature a servo-driven bend arm , carriage , plane of bend and carriage side shift , with a hydraulically controlled mandrel , pressure die and clamping system .
In the latest iteration of its Opt2Sim tube manipulation software , Unison makes it easier to import and extract tube data and includes versions for simulating the bending process , creating batch files and scanning tube coordinates . Opt2Sim provides users with a complete end-to-end solution , from taking 3D STEP files to bending tube within a single
Unison Synergy hybrid tube-bending machine .
software suite . Delegates visiting Unison ’ s FABTECH booth will have the chance to win one of several Opt2Sim software licenses . “ We are delighted to be returning to FABTECH with such inspiring tube-bending technologies ,” commented Unison Tube ’ s Vice President , Stuart Singleton . “ We are particularly excited to be unveiling our latest Opt2Sim software , as this really will revolutionise tube bending simulation for organisations of all sizes .” n
Deburring and finishing
The Timesavers 22 series is an entry-level deburring machine for sheet metal products up to a width of 900mm , 1050mm or 1280mm . The machine removes upstanding burrs and applies a finish on metals such as stainless steel , steel , aluminium and copper .
“ The machine can be equipped with a combination of wide abrasive belts ( W ), brushes ( B ), multi discs ( MD ) and / or hammerheads ( H ). The ‘ configuration ’ describes the combinations of machine heads . For example , a 22 series HW is for slag removal and grinding or finishing , while a WMDMD is for deburring , edge breaking and finishing ,” explained the Dutch manufacturer , Timesavers International .
The hammerhead is Timesavers ’ solution for the easy removal of slag , also known as dross . Although the small , flexible pins hammer off the slag , the surface of the product is not harmed during the removal process .
“ Because the 22 series has low operating costs , it is an excellent solution for companies who are looking for an efficient but economical deburring solution . Due to its small footprint and high production capacity , it can be placed in any size of company ,” concluded the surface-finishing specialist . It will be exhibiting at EuroBLECH in Hanover in Hall 14 ( stand L41 ). n
Top : Timesavers 22 series . Middle : Multi-discs on a 22 series for edge breaking and finishing . Above : Parts with dross processed on the 22 series .
Automated path to unmanned production
At the AMB exhibition in Stuttgart from 13-17 September 2022 , Dutch robot-cell manufacturer Cellro BV will be presenting its latest robot cells .
“ Thanks to intelligent functions such as ‘ job verification ’, unmanned production is becoming more predictable than ever . We aim to make the step to unmanned production increasingly smaller for machining companies ,” it told ISMR .
“ We want to enable machining companies to respond quickly and flexibly to customer requests . The automation of high-mix , low-volume production has , in addition to large batches , always been a spearhead . We have now automated the production of these complex order flows for numerous customers . At the AMB exhibition , we will be demonstrating the smart functionality that makes this possible ,” it added .
New features include ‘ job verification ’. The control system automatically checks whether machines , materials and all other supplies are available for the jobs to be performed . This enables the operator to avoid interruptions in automated production .
Cellro has also developed a roadmap for manufacturers that want to start automating their production . n
. cellro . com