New Units Boost Capabilities
Purchases included Oriimec’s top-of-the-line coil straightener-feeder, installed in January 2017 on a 400-ton blanking line. The LCC 13GD2 model can handle stock from 70 to 1300 mm wide in thicknesses from 1.4 to 12 mm. Its heavy-duty power combined with nine work rolls (five upper, four lower) provides a high degree of flatness capability, according to Oriimec officials. The unit, designed to allow simple access to its inside structure, features work rolls that can be opened as much as 20 deg. to ease roll cleaning.
Handling material to 12 mm thick, the new straightener-feeder doubles the thickness capacity of the press line’s previous unit.
“The increase in thickness capacity allows us to insource some products that previously had to be manufactured on the outside,” says Rogers. “Some of our automotive components use material from 9 to 12 mm thick, and we can bring that work back inside and avoid higher outsourcing costs.”
Other recently installed Oriimec straightener-feeders include a LCC10HR3 model on a 300-ton blanking line, which includes an energy-saving roll-lift mechanism with automatic control of pneumatic-cylinder pressure. This straightening feature enables optimization according to stock thickness and achieves 30 to 50-percent energy savings, according to Oriimec officials. The compact unit handles material from 400 to 1300 mm wide in thicknesses to 6 mm. Another key feature: a large straightening-roll-adjustment hand wheel that uses symbol indicators to permit simple numerical setting and improve repeatability.
And, a compact LCC04HF4-model feeder-straightener on a 160-ton blanking line provides flexibility to handle various material types, widths and thicknesses, as well as two sets of entry coil-width vertical-guide rollers. Also, feed-roll pressure can be adjusted easily via an air cylinder.
Positioned for Future Work
Overall, the new feeder technology is expected to help as Yorozu Automotive Tennessee gravitates toward higher-strength part material.
“To date, 590 MPa represents our highest-strength steel used in the Tennessee facility, but for new business expected within the next couple of years, 780-MPa material is required,” says Rogers, “and we feel that the new feeders will handle that work. For what we do, we need robust equipment and these are durable feeders. That was another reason for adding the new equipment.” MF
View Glossary of Metalforming Terms
See also: AMADA Press System America Inc
Technologies: Coil and Sheet Handling, Stamping Presses