TPT July 2011

T echnology U pdate

The magical word “axial” and the balancing act in pipe forming technology

THEmarketrequiresincreasinglyefficientand diverse machines for pipe-end processing. There are already various machines with very different concept approaches that try to meet customers’ needs. However, the same thing may be an advantage for one customer and a disadvantage for another. Rosenberger AG says it has found the perfect solution – the pipe forming machine flexFORM ® RU8-12-18. Many pipe connection points (traditional solder contours) were previously produced as a turned part and welded or soldered to the final product (eg hose profiles, O-ring seats and various flange connections). The machines previously used for this require high investments, lots of space, cause hazardous waste, quality and wage costs and must be monitored and corrected continually. The previous work steps – for solder contours, negatively affect costs and the quality of the final product. The answer to all of these production problems is consistent further development of “solder batch contours”, which can be implemented using the forming technology of Rosenberger AG. Both axial forming technology on the new forming machine generation flexFORM RU8-12-18 and radial profile rolling technology on the rolling machine series RW20 guarantee the highest of quality and performance in rough industrial everyday operation or in development centres. Technical feasibility is now provided by servo-electrical drives, since they are able to move along complex ramps, in contrast to the “blunt” moving forwards and backwards of hydraulically driven tools. The flexFORM RU8-12-18 is not just a further development and merger of Rosenberger’s predecessor models RU8-12 and RU18, but rather a completely new machine concept that combines the advantages of its respective predecessors while also containing many years of experience and insights of the company’s customers. The PLC-based CNC control enables free programming of all dimensions, paths and motions up to 0.01mm, forming force and speed. Servo controllers ensure soft and precise running through the programmable speed profiles for best material flow control. Any and all material properties can be included in programming of the flexFORM RU8-12-18 and considered in the production process. Thus, not only simple flanges,

beads, reductions or expansions can be produced, but complex pipe end shapes can be generated as well. Tool and programme changes can be implemented in less than five minutes and are measured fully automatically. The servo-electrical asynchronous drives with an axial working force of up to 180kN are low-noise and -maintenance, energy saving and do not generate great exhaust heat, which leads to additional benefits in the ergonomics and energy results. A globally unique novelty is the compact build and machine concept with its vertical tool alignment (no more than 16, also multiply rotating tools) and no use of hydraulics at all; this makes the machine easy to transport and saves a lot of footprint space. The offer includes the machine as a single,

hand-operated version, master-machine and fully automatic forming device. The robot connection can be used to best integrate the machine into a fully automated system and to use it flexibly. The fully automated joining, eg, of flanges, U-nuts, U-bolts, O-rings, holders is a standard application. The model version DT (DoubleTool) enables concurrent processing of two parts, which doubles the daily output or cuts the cycle time in half. Depending on task and parts geometry, the clamping jaws can be installed to act vertically or horizontally. The clamping unit, type of tool change and force of the axial, servo-electrical asynchronous drive can be selected and set up in modules. Rosenberger AG – Germany Website: www.rosenbergerag.com

The pipe forming machine flexFORM ® RU8-12-18

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J uly 2011

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