Metal spinning/flow forming machines introduced

The signing of an agreement betwen AddisonMcKee and a Japanese metal spinning and flow-forming machine specialist will bring advanced catalytic converter spinning equipment to Europe.

Lancashire, UK-based Addison-McKee, the acknowledged world leaders in the manufacture of tube forming machinery for the automotive and truck exhaust industries, have recently signed a major agreement with Japanese metal spinning and flow-forming machine specialists, Nihon Spindle, that could help revolutionise catalytic converter production across Europe and the USA.

World-renowned When looking to appoint a distributor for their technologically advanced catalytic converter spinning equipment outside of the Japanese and Northwest Pacific marketplace, Nihon Spindle saw Addison-McKee as the obvious choice.

Renowned for the manufacture of high quality tube bending machines, and with the highest quality end-forming technology available from McKee-Addison, its USA division, Addison-McKee's credentials offered just the right level of expertise in sales and service - combined with the in-depth knowledge of customer support in the European and North American markets - that Nihon Spindle required.

* Highly efficient - with no cutting, waste or need for welding, as the metal shape is formed during the spinning cycle, flow-forming is already successfully used in the manufacture of all manner of vehicle components, ranging from headlamp casings to gears and shock absorbers.

Where catalytic converter (cat) production has traditionally been achieved by the welding together of separate half-shell sections, Nihon Spindle's flow-forming technology enables the cat outer to be manufactured from a single metal tube.

* Spun to size - with the exhaust component held static on the Nihon spinning machine, twin or four-axis spinning rollers first spin one end of the intended catalytic converter down to size.

A monolith ceramic brick - dressed in a flexible and protective cotton matt - is then inserted via a stuffing machine and the other end of the converter is also spun down to size.

Exhaust inlets and outlets can be spun at virtually any angle via CNC programming and, with less welds and joints, significantly better waste gas flow rate is achieved than with traditionally made catalytic converters.

* The benefits of cold spinning catalytic converters using the Nihon Spindle process include the following.

Cat can be positioned closer to the engine for improved efficiency.

Converters can be made to the smallest possible shape/size.

No metal wastage through cutting.

No need for flanges or welding.

Easier positioning in today's increasing complex engine bays.

* Wide product portfolio - with Nihon Spindle technology in their portfolio - complementing the wide range of Addison-McKee Databend CNC bending machines, end forming machines and newly available catalytic converter sizing/ monolith stuffing machines - Addison-McKee can now proudly claim to exceed exhaust and catalytic converter manufacturers' most specific needs.

* Bending to the needs of industry worldwide - Addison-McKee's skilled workforce is capable of manufacturing CNC tube bending and tooling to suit virtually any application large or small.

The company's UK site is equipped with a large variety of modern CNC machine tools, supported by computer aided manufacturing and up to 30 design engineers working within integrated management TQM procedures.

Addison-McKee systems are also used for tube bending and forming applications in the shipbuilding, aerospace, furniture, sports and hospital equipment industries.

At its UK plant, Addison-McKee produces a range of over 50 basic hydraulic and electric CNC machines that can bend from 4mm pipes used in the automotive and aerospace industries to 273mm tubes used in shipbuilding.

The company manufactures about 150 end-forming machines a year from its plant in the USA.

Addison-McKee machines are supported by a fast response round-the-clock spare parts and on-site assistance service manned by a team of skilled service engineers.

With over 3,000 of its machines installed worldwide, Addison-McKee enjoys a global reputation for meeting and servicing its customers' needs.

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