Product category:
Tubeworking: bending, cutting-off, profiling and end working
News Release from: AddisonMckee | Subject: Tube bending work cell
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 March 2008
Tube bending cell makes truck exhaust
piping
A tube-bending work cell performs 1D bending of various grades of mild and aluminised stainless steel tubing up to 150mm in diameter, with wall thickness as thin as 1.65mm.
AddisonMckee has developed a work cell for the bending of large diameter, thin-wall tubing for truck exhaust components The work cell performs 1D bending of various grades of mild and aluminised stainless steel tubing up to 150mm (6in) in diameter, with wall thickness as thin as 1.65mm (0.07in)
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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A typical AddisonMckee automated manufacturing cell can consist of the following.
* AddisonMckee 'DataBend' all-electric tube bending machine(s).
* A tube roll-down rack (for tube delivery) with seam detector (for correct tube orientation).
Further reading
Tube development becomes simple to program
Modular control system is simple to program for any tube development application and - using a novel 'teach mode' facility - can 'learn' individual tube manufacturer configurations.
Electric tube benders have shear blade cut-off
Incorporating shear blade cut-off technology into all-electric tube bending machines provides a cleaner, quicker system and results in considerably less end-length wastage.
Tube forming system produces roll-over bars
Specialising in the manufacture of tubular steel type components for the motor industry - a South African company wanted a tube bendier capable of producing rollover bars with a central arc.
* A patented AddisonMckee bend-tool change system.
* AddisonMckee 'FormMaster' tube parting endforming machine(s).
* Fanuc R-2000iB 165kg capacity robot(s).
* A 'pin stamp' tube marking station.
* An exit conveyor and cell master control unit.
Bending tool changing system - AddisonMckee's automated manufacturing process starts with the company's novel patented bending tool changing system, which has a four-station tool change turntable.
The company developed the system for truck exhaust manufacturers requiring frequent tool change due to relatively short production runs.
Whenever a tool change is required, the program triggers the robot to automatically complete the tool change operation.
Embedded within each tool set is a read/write chip enabling the tool change turntable to recognise which tool is in each location.
Automatic seam detection - with the correct tools in place in the bending die, the robot moves to the automated roll-down rack.
Tubes roll into place, the seam detection device orients each weld seam into the same position and the robot picks up the next tube from the detector and loads it into the bender.
Once loaded, the bender bends the specific component.
By using a 'stick or serpentine' bending process, multiple parts can be bent from one tube with minimal scrap and labor.
Pin stamp marking, trimming and end-forming - once the bending process is complete, the robot transfers the bent tube to the 'pin stamp' marking system for identification marking with both part number and serial number.
The robot then positions and holds the bent/marked component while tube trimming and parting end-forming operations are completed.
All finished components are then exited via conveyor ready for any other forming requirements.
AddisonMckee director of Global Marketing, Christian Rogiers, said: "The AddisonMckee name has always been renowned for the highest levels of tube forming controllability, repeatability, reliability, efficiency and accuracy.
Through our fully automated workcell solutions, we are now taking efficiency to new heights, with fully integrated solutions that are not only fast and reliable, but offer the flexibility necessary to produce multiple component types with minimum tool change times and an absolute minimum of valuable tube waste".
* About AddisonMckee - 2007 winners of The Manufacturer magazine's World-Class Manufacturing Award - a prestigious award based on an organization's ability to benchmark, examine and make continuous improvements in all aspects of its operations - AddisonMckee is globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world's finest tube bending and end forming technologies - for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements.
In addition, AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative tube measuring solutions, tube perforation, piercing and louvring technologies, hydraulic press machinery, muffler assembly solutions, plant automation and complete workcell integration.
In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services.
Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.
From its state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and China, AddisonMckee is committed to providing rapid solutions to market and also regularly assists clients in product prototyping, parts development, small production runs and pre-production sample development.
AddisonMckee is principally owned by WHI Capital Partners (WHICP), a Chicago-based private equity group that invests in middle market, industry-leading companies with solid financial fundamentals and proven management teams.
WHICP is an affiliate of William Harris Investors, Incorporated, a family-based asset management firm founded by Irving B Harris in 1987.
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