TPT July 2015

Technology News

Complex forms with reduced tooling THE demands for tube processing are increasing. Geometry is becoming increasingly complex and materials are becoming ever stronger in connection with progressively light design. At the same time there are calls for efficiency across all sectors. this saves valuable time. The forming process is possible both from outside to inside and from inside to outside. A further advantage of rolling tube forming is that even completely different geometries can be formed with a single tool, a clamping jaw and the rolling head. Tool wear is almost totally eliminated in a rolling process, and the lubricants that are necessary in the forming process can be reduced to a minimum. head is used. The forming rollers are completely supported within this. The forming of highly complex geometries without space in the axial direction is carried out using three rollers that are included in an open structure. This means that the roller geometry can be carried out directly on a tube/flange connection. Fully automated sawing solutions KENT Automation, a division of MNM Mfg Inc, is an engineering and manufacturing company that offers a full range of innovative, customised and fully automated sawing solutions. automated with an HMI touch screen for setup, monitoring and running the machine. Since the early 1990s KentAutomation has supplied several thousand individual cutting and milling-related machines. Recently the company supplied a double head mitre saw with pneumatic positioning of angles via a selector switch. Currently Kent Automation is in the design phases of a multi-head cutting and milling machining centre for one of the world’s largest composite fabricators. The equipment will be installed at its Canadian operations. This machine will be designed to mill and saw five styles of profiles at one time. There are four machines in total and they will be fully Kent Automation – USA Website: www.kentautomation.com

Rolling tube forming by transfluid is a process that opens up special opportunities for forming and reduces the use of tools to a minimum. Rolling technology displays its strengths most clearly if forming is to be carried out on tubes that have already been axially preformed, if sharp edged contours need to be created for sealing elements, or if perfect surfaces are required. For tool-independent tube forming and for the creation of almost freely formed geometries, all transfluid t form bead rolling machines have a servo- electric drive and an easily operated CNC control system, if required. This allows the functions of different axes to be moved in an overlapping fashion. As all the setting parameters are stored, there are no complex adjustments and

It is also possible to roll threads or add edge designs with the same roller head and the corresponding rollers, with or without forming, depending on requirements. Trimming of already-bent components can also be realised by rolling tube forming without cutting and almost without burrs. If complex geometries need to be formed almost without clamping length then a roller head takes over this role, allowing the rolling or separating process across two rollers. One roller is positioned as support on the inside or outside of the tube while the counter roller delivers the form. This kind of inner support or forming roller can be used from an internal tube diameter of 12mm, whereby very different tool pairings can be used. For example, this makes it possible to form and separate simultaneously. Another advantage of this technology is the surface quality that is created by the forming. It is usually possible to do without a cost-intensive form clamping piece on tubes that have already been bent, because of the low loads that are transferred to the tube during the rolling process. transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 2972 9715 11 Email: info@transfluid.de Website: www.tube-processing-machines.com

If demanding forming is necessary on high-strength materials, a closed rolling

A groove contour on a hose connection

The t form SRM 622 tube forming machine allows the creation of almost freely formed geometries

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J uly 2015