Page 20 - MetalForming February 2011

Transfer-Press Quartet
popular vehicle models, and only half of a shift for lower-volume models.
On to Alabama
Last but not least, in mid-2008 Fleet- wood installed its fourth Eagle Press- Linear Transfer system at its facility in Sylacauga, AL. It’s a 1500-ton 96-by- 256-in. setup with a transfer system rated to a whopping 60-in. pitch. The press boasts Linear Transfer’s newer transfer-system design.
“The earlier models have a large nose- cone structure on one end,” says Clarke. “The new design drives the feed rails with belts attached right to the rail.”
In addition to the obvious benefit of a smaller footprint (and improved access for feeders, conveyors and fork trucks), the new transfer-system design brings a host of other benefits to the Alabama operation. Say Linear Transfer officials, describing the new design:
“The system is moving less of its own mass, allowing payloads to move at higher speeds.”
Fleetwood purchases some of its transfer tooling (flange-jaw grippers) from Norgren (formerly Syron); it designs and fabricates shovel-style tools inhouse. Tools mount permanently to subplates. Holes drilled into each subplate allow the operator to quickly locate the plate onto the transfer rails by sliding the holes over permanent dowels attached to the rails.
There are fewer moving parts, meaning less maintenance and lower costs for replacement parts.
The system can drive the rails inde- pendently, improving flexibility in die design. For example, the transfer can
change grip motion on one rail but not the other. It can run one part up one side of the press, and then back down the other side. Also, this added flexi- bility can allow a stamper to more eas- ily accept takeover projects. MF
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18 MetalForming/February 2011
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