TPT May 2015

Technology News

Integrated processing line for automotive air bag tubing

a tight tolerance; 100 per cent length inspection that checks every tube to a pre-programmed tolerance range; and transfer to the parts washer, with automatic indexing and transfer onto washer belt spindles. All of these operations are tied together with various material handling systems for continuous product flow.

oxide coating on the tube; and an exit conveyor that transfers the polished tube to the cut-off section. A cut-off loading system accumulates tubes from the polisher and indexes them into the cut-off machine – a Model 620 Kleencut supported shear cut-off suitable for cutting high yield strength air bag tubing with no material loss from the cut. Also included in the line are a Model 939 double end-finisher with ID and OD chamfer and end-facing to

NEW laser welding technology from Guild International makes coil end welding on strip as thin as 0.003" possible. Current technology employing TIG welders allows for welding strips no thinner than 0.008", and requires start and stop tabs. Guild’s new machine, named the LHMA Laser Welder, creates complete edge-to-edge welds without the need for start and stop tabs, on strip as thin as 0.003". The machine uses a fibre laser to deliver the necessary energy for welding via a fibre optic cable connected to a focusing head. The focusing head concentrates the energy to a very fine spot to achieve weld results on steel, stainless steel, copper and brass alloys, and aluminium. The machine includes a camera and large HMI touchscreen, allowing the TODAY’S manufacturing environment calls for leaner operations, including the technical resources available for product and process development. Engineers do not have the time to piecemeal projects together with several suppliers. Instead, they look for suppliers that can offer turnkey design and manufacturing. As an example, an air bag inflator company wanted to reduce costs by bringing its tube cut-to-length and finishing operation in-house. Haven worked with the company from conceptual layout and process design to plant installation and start-up. Each entity had a project lead person who coordinated all communications related to process requirements, machine specifications, safety speci- fications and quality assurance. The resulting integrated processing line includes a bundle unloader, with part separation and pusher assembly that advances the tube into an OD polishing unit; a polisher that removes the black

Haven Manufacturing – USA Fax: +1 912 264 9001 Website: www.havencut.com

Integrated processing line

Laser welder for coil end welding on thin strip

operator to view the strip fit-up prior to welding. The process of shearing, aligning and welding the two coil ends is completed in just two minutes. Weld schedules can be stored for quick retrieval, and the parameters are easily set with the HMI touchscreen. An interlocked safety enclosure provides the required safety for the operator. For customers interested in this technology, Guild International maintains a fully operational LHMA Laser Welder at its facility, to offer sample welds on customer-specified material. The company offers a complete line of coil end welders for almost any application, including laser welding machines for a full range of strip thicknesses and widths. The patented product line includes Zipwelders TM , resistance welders, semi-automatic shear welders, and strip accumulators

Guild’s LHMA Laser Welder

including Supercoils ® and Superloops TM . Guild also produces a full line of rotary and crop shears, along with uncoilers, speed funnels and flatteners. The company’s team of engineers can help determine customers’ needs and ensure proper equipment design and compatibility with existing equipment.

Guild International – USA Website: www.guildint.com

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M ay 2015