Page 23 - MetalForming magazine • December 2022

FABRICATION
Today’s fabricating technology promises the ability to produce high-quality components job after job, in a variety of applications. And, in each issue, MetalForming is committed to informing you on how fabrication equipment delivers.
This month, see how a fabricator’s addition of cobots for welding has allowed for higher-quality throughput and greater productivity, leading to more work. And, discover why CNC punch- laser combination machines deliver improved efficiency and flexibility.
Finally, mind these tips for conveyor selection and setup to optimize material handling in your shop.
Contents
20 News&Technology
22 SouthCarolinaMetal Fabricator Tackles Welder Shortage with Cobots
24 Laser-PunchCombos: Efficiency is the Name of the Game
28 MaterialHandling: Four Ways to Optimize Conveyor Performance
News & Technology
Punching Tools Eliminate Fasteners, Secondary Operations
Mate Precision Technologies offers two tools that can eliminate fasteners and the need for secondary operations, according to a new company blog post.
One, the screw pocket lance and form tool (pictured), eliminates the need for both the formed flange and hardware. Instead, the tool creates a form in the edge of the sheet, designed to receive directly the screw thread. Then, both com- ponents are fastened securely together. Available in most tooling styles, the screw pocket lance and form tool can be used on all materials ranging from 0.030 0.078 in. thick.
The second, SnapLock, allows fabri- cators to join parts without fasteners, even if the parts are of different materials or thicknesses. It eliminates secondary operations such as spot welding, riveting or fastening. Instead, SnapLock creates a self-locking, spring-loaded tab that snaps securely into a pre-punched hole. The small button provides a positive mechanical lock when engaged with the hole in the receiving tab. Although SnapLock is designed for use to a maximum material thickness of 0.0625 in., design variations are available for thicker materials.
For more, read the blog post, at www.mate.com/eliminate-fasteners-sec- ondary-operations.
Mate Precision Technologies: www.mate.com
Advanced Software for Press Brake Simulation and Laser Cutting Nesting
Cincinnati Inc. has released its Pro Suite of software, BendSim Pro and Nesting
Pro, offering advanced features and func- tionality. Users currently programming offline now can experience improved offline programming efficiency—more pro- grams created with the same number of programmers, according to Cincinnati offi- cials. And, for those not yet using programs created offline, ready-to-run programs reportedly allow them to operate more productively with standardized operations and less manual setup.
BendSim Pro provides the ability to plan and simulate parts for press brake forming operations offline without inter- rupting the productivity of a Cincinnati PC-control press brake. Users can pick the best simulation and automatically generate the best program for use on the shop floor. The key: standardized work, according to company officials, as a single program for each part helps reduce vari- ance, produce consistent quality, ease workflows and standardize products in the shop. BendSim Pro can be networked with other machines and retrieve certified programs from a network storage fold- er—complete with a graphic simulation of the forming operation.
Nesting Pro provides software automa- tion and optimized NC code for nested laser-processed parts. Users can convert flat files and 3D models individually or with batch automation, and library-con- verted files for efficient nested programs created either via manual entry or auto- matically from prepared text-file instruc- tions. Optional interfaces are available with most ERP systems.
Cincinnati Inc.: www.e-ci.com
20 MetalForming/December 2022
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Newly released Nesting Pro software from Cincinnati Inc. provides software automation and optimized NC code for nested laser-processed parts.