Flexible line punches across coil widths

A flexible, programmable, metal forming production line can punch across the whole coil width combining strip feeding with the traverse movement of the tooling cassettes under the press ram.

Dimeco Alipresse's latest highly flexible, programmable, 'Flexipunch' metal forming production line is showing its flexibility in coil processing on Shear-Form Machine Tools , the Coventry based sheet metal and plate working machinery supplier's stand nr.

4741 at MACH 2006 A feature of the line is the new four servo controlled traverse axis 150kN (15 tonf) capacity C8 'Flexipunch' able to punch across the whole coil width combining strip feeding with the traverse movement of the tooling cassettes under the press ram.

It can operate at speeds from 60-150 strokes per minute and between 60 and 120 tool selections can be used.

It has 2-axis for auto indexing or for multiple tools.

This line has been designed for punching and forming components used in the manufacture of metal furniture, shelving, garage doors, lighting reflectors, automotive products, vending machine components, cable trays, electrical and IT cabinets, air conditioning plant and numerous other applications.

The line features the latest Simo-Star Microfeed servo drive roll feeder for multi axis control of the tooling.

The strip is held by 7 hard chrome coated steel rolls for maximum gripping on entering the feeder, it can operate at speeds up to 150m/min.

Simo-Star 370-24 OS is a PLC 2-axis servo controlled system controlling the strip positioning, electronic cams, die safety monitoring and a DP-PROFIBUS communications network.

Sixteen programmable electronic cams synchronise both the feeder with the punching operation as well the entire speed of the line, automatically making parameter adjustments to run the line smoothly.

It also has a telephone service modem card for diagnosis and service on the numerical control through a direct phone link Dimeco's PFS (Press Feeding System) provides automatic line speed regulation for optimum press synchronisation, allowing the line to manufacture different components from one coil without the need to stop the line to change tooling or programs.

The ADA system automatically adjusts the feed length, the acceleration and deceleration and maximum speed so that the pitch is at the correct angle.

Any jerking movement in the feed is eliminated.

Feeding is perfectly synchronised with the press operations.

The result is higher quality products with minimal rejects.

The line also comprises a S2350 1,250kg unpowered vertical uncoiler having a maximum 445mm strip width.

It is equipped with safety pneumatic disc brakes and a safety pneumatic 200kg pressure arm The BVV powered straightener has a 300mm x 0.6mm-3mm straightening capacity.

It has 7 x 60mm diameter straightening rolls, with the three top rolls being individually adjusted.

The loop control has an automatic speed regulator using an ultrasonic sensor and 2 x photo cells for stop and strip tension safety modes.

* Shear-Form Machine Tools at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 4, Stand 4741.

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