capable of joining copper strip as wide as 45mm
wide and as thin as 0.2mm. Precision engineered to
create reliable permanent welds stronger than the
parent material, the ST40 enabled VPT to reduce
the operational scrap rate on the line by 15% during
production trials.
PWM has now supplied VPT with three ST40 welders
that run full-time in production.
Adaptations such as automatic flash trimming and
annealing of the weld (to soften it and make it less
brittle), and automation of the weld cycle and die
opening system have been developed to streamline
the process. VPT will field the new system across
all tube mill production lines and currently has four
more ST40 units on order with more to follow.
“Technical assistance from PWM, particularly from
its Chief Design Engineer, Ivan Turner, has been
incredible throughout,” said Joe Napier. “Any
problems we had during the development and early
fielding of the units were quickly resolved. For
example, we went through four design improvements
to arrive at our current tooling.”
Steve Mepsted, Managing Director of PWM, said:
“This has been a fascinating bespoke project to work
on. VPT shares our commitment to quality and
innovation and together we’ve created a customized
welding solution that significantly improves business
performance. We’re delighted with the outcome.”
.
www.pwmltd.co.uk
WIRE NEWS
July 2018
7