TPT May 2024

TECHNOLOGY

thyssenkrupp Materials aims for efficiency boost with innovative Voortman line

painting and sawing materials, the company recognises that this process can be organised more efficiently and that customers today are looking for completely processed products and a total solution. One of the reasons is to save time or reduce pressure on manpower. Aware of these challenges, thyssenkrupp Materials Nederland sees adding processes with an optimal automated logistics flow as the key to success. Peter Henne, managing director thyssenkrupp Materials Nederland, said: “With this investment, customers can expect more machining capabilities from us with higher efficiency and flexibility. Herewith we take an important step to support them even better.” The development of this optimal production line required a thorough analysis of thyssenkrupp’s production data and product mix over the past year. Voortman designed and evaluated various layouts and scenarios. The result is an optimised layout in which steel beams, profiles and bar steel are processed via streamlined efficient routes.

SAWING, blasting, painting, drilling and milling at high speed are now possible in one process at thyssenkrupp Materials Nederland – faster, more precisely and fully automated with customised solutions. This will be achieved by an advanced production line with five machines from Voortman Steel Machinery at the Veghel, Netherlands location. The improved process offers thyssenkrupp customers more and even more accurate machining possibilities with shorter lead times, from work preparation to shipping. The new processing line consists of five machines that work seamlessly together: two identical Voortman VB series sawing machines, the Voortman V631 drilling and milling machine, the Voortman VSB-Range shot-blasting machine and the Voortman VP-Range painting machine. With drilling and milling added, thyssenkrupp Materials Nederland can offer customers a more complete package of operations. It represents another step in relieving customers by reducing internal handling. Where the company initially focused on separate processes such as blasting,

Materials are first blasted and painted fully automatically by the blasting and painting line and then go either through the Voortman V631 profile drilling and milling machine or directly to one of the two Voortman VB saws, both equipped with a short piece removal system. It is a continuous process where the next profiles are already buffered and automatically transported to the next machine in the line to one of the outfeed locations. Sorting is straightforward at the outfeed zones with Smart Unloading: screens indicate which materials are ready for shipment. The complete line ensures product traceability, allowing thyssenkrupp to remain “in control” at all times and guarantee reliable delivery times. An advanced production line with five machines from Voortman Steel Machinery

Voortman Steel Machinery www.voortman.net

Permanent printing on soft PVC pipes, hoses and cables

extruded products. Extruded products such as cables, sheathed cables, hoses, pipes or profiles primarily comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Depending on their application, they are mixed with plasticisers, also known as ’softeners’. After production, the printed cables are usually coiled onto reels. Due to ‘plasticiser migration’, an imprint or ‘transfer print’ may appear on the neighbouring cable or pipe when it is being unwound at a later date. To prevent this, Leibinger has a specialist ink for use on PVC. Leibinger has developed a special ink for cable and pipe marking and meter

THE marking of pipes, hoses, profiles and sheathed cables made of soft PVC in a wear resistant manner presents a challenge to the extrusion industry. An ink developed by printer specialist Leibinger is resistant to plasticisers and also prevents the transfer of printing ink to neighbouring pipes and cables. To mark materials reliably, two components need to mesh like the gears of a well-oiled machine: printer technology and printer ink, which is why, in contrast to various other players on this market, Leibinger develops and produces its own inks. These include a special black ink for the printing of

marking of extruded goods, one that adheres reliably to PVC materials. This ink is resistant to plasticisers, which means it can prevent accidental transfer prints. With a Blue Wool Scale ranking of 8, it also possesses exceptional UV stability. This is particularly important when used on window spacers. In addition, this ink dries very rapidly, which makes it ideally suited to high speed applications.

Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co www.leibinger-group.com

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MAY 2024