Automation was the
main theme on the
Trumpf stand at MACH
BendMaster was
demonstrated attending a
TruBend 5130 press
brake
july 2008
Steed Webzell joined
the throngs at MACH
2008 to form his own
opinions about the
latest fabrication
technology.
Fabrication
for the nation
IN a sector worth approximately £325 million to the
UK (MTA figures for 2007), fabrication machinery is big
business. Today, this innovative high technology area could
not be further removed from its ‘metal bashing’ image of
the 1960s and 70s. Metal bashing is plainly a derogatory
term, implying unsophisticated engineering. Few modem
engineering firms covet this image and probably none
encourage such a culture. Most progressive sheet metal
shops today have a lean production ethos based on high
productivity and the elimination of waste throughout all
company processes. Helping fuel this transition, of course,
is technology, the very latest examples of which were on
show at MACH 2008.
It was clear to see that CNC laser profiling technology
drew the crowds, particularly the new models on display,
such as the Hyper Turbo-X 510 from Yamazaki Mazak
(Lasers). The HTX is a high speed, 4kW, all-linear drive
laser cutter for 2D parts up to 25mm thick that features inprocess
torch change, tapping and countersinking
capability. Mazak has also developed a new bed concept for
the HTX called ‘Takumi’ frame. The Takumi principal of
tabbed laser-cut sides and cross members connected with a
series of tie rods, results in a vibration dampening effect
from internal and external sources.
Trumpf also took the opportunity to unveil a new flat
bed laser centre in the shape of its TruLaser 2030, a larger
forming & fabrication
format model featuring the higher powered 3.2kW
TruCoax laser. This compact machine has fully integrated
load and unload and is designed for high productivity. To
start production the vacuum frame of the TruLaser 2030
lifts the blank sheet from the loading station, transfers it to
the workstation and places it on the cutting table. The
frame then exits the work area and prepares the next blank
for processing. At the end of the production cycle
unloading forks remove the finished parts including any
sheet skeletons. Automation was the main theme on the
Trumpf stand, where the company also launched its
BendMaster part handling system for TruBend press
brakes, which automatically selects a mechanical gripper
for small parts or a vacuum gripper for larger ones. As a
result it can handle a wide product range up to a maximum
weight of 40kg. BendMaster was shown at MACH
working with a TruBend 5130 press brake.
LVD was also keen to promote the virtues of robotic
bending through the introduction of its RoboCell, which
provides a combination of LVD press brake bending
technology and Kuka robotic material handling together
with an integrated off-line LVD CADMAN software
solution. Competitively priced against other robotic
bending cells, LVD says RoboCell is simple to operate and
program. Also new on the LVD stand was the Orion 3015
plus CNC laser cutting machine complete with autoload
unit.
The need to move from ‘art to part’ with greater
efficiency was a trend pervading the halls at the NEC.
Another example could be seen in the new CompactServer
from Prima Industrie, which enables Platino, Syncrono
and Domino series laser profiling machines to be operated
as independent, unmanned manufacturing cells.
CompactServer is designed to integrate with the laser
cutter’s pallet changer to provide highly efficient
automatic operation, even under lights out conditions.
With all components fitting above the machine's pallet
changer, the new CompactServer requires no additional
floor space.
New laser cutting technology was also prominent
MWP
49
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