TPT January 2019

T E CHNOLOG Y

Dynamic two-directional tube bending TRANSFLUID presented its highly dynamic two-directional tube bending machine at FABTECH in November.

this, even if there are restrictions caused by structural issues. For challenges of this kind, transfluid has developed its t bend tube bending machine with turning head. Suitable for any tube diameter, the transfluid system allows efficient right-hand and left-hand turning. Especially when machining small-diameter tubes, the capability to change the bending direction quickly ensures a time advantage. All axes of the special bending system are electrically driven with servo technology, and each bending head comes as standard with two tool levels. transfluid also offers its bending system in an automated option for improved runtimes without manpower. To achieve this, simple magazines are used to feed the supply of components, and the system is loaded from a transport container, such as a wire box. Tubes can also be machined in pairs, even if the geometries are different. A special version of the bending solution is a robot that grasps the right-hand or left-hand bending machine. It detaches the tube from the magazine and inserts it, correctly positioned, in the clamping device. This is where the bending robot processes the tube and sets it down, also in the correct position. The tubes may even have been fitted on both ends with connection elements. At FABTECH in Atlanta, USA, transfluid presented its t bend DB 630 CNC R/L VE right-hand/left-hand bending machine with turning head for tubes of up to 30mm diameter.

Flexibility is critical in cases in which right-hand and left- hand tube bending is required for complex geometries. An adaptable bending solution provides new options to achieve

With the t bend DB 630-CNC-R/L-VE with turning head, transfluid offers right-hand or left-hand tube bending without the risk of collision, even for demanding geometries

transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 2972 9715 11

Email: sales@transfluid.de Website: www.transfluid.net

Photo credit: © transfluid

Gentle finishing of extremely hard surfaces AT last year’s IMTS, Walther Trowal introduced the new M-TMD 6M drag finisher for treating high-value components that require first-class surface quality.

facturers of workpieces that must re- ceive the best possible surface finish, and where even the slightest surface flaw or scratch might cause them to be scrapped. Furthermore, we tar- get parts where deviations from the dimensional specifications of a few thousandths of a millimetre can be detrimental.” TheM-TMD 4 drag finisher is equipped with four work stations and can process 12 parts in a single batch; the M-TMD 6 with six work stations allows batch sizes of up to 18 pieces. At IMTSWalther Trowal also displayed a range of mass finishing equipment, including rotary vibrators, the MV multi vib vibrators and a high-energy centrifugal disc finishing machine. Walther Trowal GmbH & Co KG – Germany Email: info@walther-trowal.de Website: www.walther-trowal.de

The new drag machines of the M-series have a carousel with multiple rotating workstations. In turn, each workstation is equipped with spindle heads containing several spindle drives onto which the workpieces are attached with special fixtures. The machines also contain a stationary work bowl filled with grinding or polishing media. As the workpieces are “dragged” through the stationary media mass, the simultaneous rotational workpiece movement by carousel, workstations and spindles creates different overlapping patterns, which ensure an even and intensive coverage of the complete workpiece surface. Christoph Cruse, director of sales at Walther Trowal, foresees demand for these machines from some of his customers who produce delicate, high- value components. He explained, “With our new ma- chines we want to assist the manu-

The new drag machines will place a mirror polish on the hardest materials, even on ceramic components. The company claims that the machines allow the costs for polishing to be reduced to a fraction of the costs for manual surface grinding and polishing. They also ensure repeatable finishing results within a narrow tolerance band. Walther Trowal developed the new machines specifically for treating high- value components requiring careful handling for the complete finishing process. For example, they are utilised for finishing the surface of turbine blades, impellers for turbo chargers, precision components for pumps and compressors, and for orthopaedic implants.

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JANUARY 2019