TPT May 2015

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Technology News
May 2015 43
Cage forming for
square sections
THE latest generation of linear cage forming technologies
has been put into operation in North Europe, at a
manufacturer of high quality stainless steel tubes.
The complete, fully automatic tube mill, including surface
finishing, tube end facing, unloading and packaging sections,
can produce square tubes from 40 x 40mm to 120 x 120mm,
and rectangular tubes from 50 x 40mm to 180 x 60mm, in a
thickness range from 2 to 8mm in stainless steel austenitic,
ferritic and Duplex grades. The maximum mill speed is 80m/
min. The mill can produce all square and rectangular tubes
within the size range, without change of any rolls in forming,
welding, sizing, straightening and clamp jaws in cut off.
The main advantages of the technology include facility
and rapidity in changing the profile dimensions; simple
maintenance; and simplicity in software utilisation.
The mill makes it easy to produce both square and
rectangular tubes by means of computerised control, where
data is stored in order to produce all the tube sizes in the
range. The PLC records all the utilised data, and it is possible
to create particular ‘shapes’ with different angles. From the
PC it is possible to see the ‘tube flower’ to be produced.
The average time for changing tube set-up is around ten
minutes.
Olimpia 80 Srl – Italy
Email:
Website:
Advanced video extensometer
launched at JEC Europe
INSTRON, a provider of testing
equipment designed to evaluate the
mechanical properties of materials and
components, exhibited the new AVE2
advanced video extensometer at the JEC
2015 event in Paris, France, in March.
Conforming to the rigorous composite
standards ISO 527 and ASTM D638,
the AVE2 is a fully integrated device
that adjusts to the normal fluctuations of
environmental conditions in the lab, and
is easily adapted to any testing machine
that uses a ±10V analogue input.
Designed to reduce errors from
thermal and lighting variations that are
common in most labs, the AVE2 uses
the real-time 490Hz data rate while
achieving a 1-micron accuracy.
Visitors to JEC were also able to see
Instron’s new TestProfiler. Featured in
Bluehill® 3 software, TestProfiler offers
flexibility in setting up automated product
reliability tests that mimic the functional
use of the product being tested. It
allows for easy setup of tests that
require repetitive cycles for component
quality testing commonly used with
customers testing foam and spring, or
performing proof-loading tests. Step-by-
step loading patterns mimic functional
use of medical devices and consumer
electronics products.
For dynamic and fatigue testing
of composites, Instron demonstrated
the ElectroPuls™ E3000 all-electric
test instrument with a nominal force
capacity up to ±3kN, designed for both
static testing at low speeds and high-
frequency dynamic testing at several
hundred hertz.
Instron UK
Email:
Website: Instron’s AVE2 advanced video extensometer
SIDE LOADING FOR FAST TOOL
CHANGE AND NO LIFTING REQUIRED
• Infinitely adjustable
expansion & reduction
• High production
capability
• Up to Ø 152mm
• No tube clamping
required
• End form on or
near bends
• High quality build with
practical platforms
• Full 12 month warranty.
• Twin Head Machines
also available
Unit 24, Padgets Lane, South Moons Moat,
Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RB, England.
T: +44 (0)1527 518520 E:
W:
Germany: Tel: 02150 2500
Netherlands/Belgium: Tel: (04756) 6888 USA: Tel: 708 272 7880
TUBE END FORMING
AV65