Wednesday 29 October 2008
Metal fabricator makes full use of machining centre with vacuum loading
ACCORDING to
Millsom, many metal fabricators fail to make full use of the performance of their sheet-metal machining centre, because it takes too long to load it with blanks and remove finished parts.
A medium-sized sheet-metal company decided to invest in a vacuum handling system for loading and unloading an existing laser-cutting machine and a stamping press/nibbler.
The suppliers of the machine had to take various requirements into account. The device needed to load both machines with small, medium and large sheet-metal blanks, with dimensions up to 3000 by 1500mm, and thicknesses of one to 20mm. These blanks can weigh up to 700kg each.
The blanks are oily or dirty, while finished parts have holes and apertures, and undefined contours. The handling system must also keep up with the factory’s operations, which are run in two shifts, five days a week.
The solution the company decided on was a Schmalz modular turnkey system, comprising a vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Comfort and slewing crane.
The vacuum lifting device is suspended from the hook of the crane. The crane is capable of lifting up to 1000kg while the lifting unit handles objects up to 750kg.
The VacuMaster Comfort is constructed completely from standard components and has an integrated vacuum pump with automatic energy-saving function, an ergonomically designed operator handle, a chain hoist and a cross-beam with six suction pads.
The upgrade means the fabricator only requires a single person to load and unload the machines. It has also eliminated the need for a forklift machine, and increased productivity by about 50%.
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