Page 18 - MetalForming August 2011

Coil-Line Upgrades:
Brains,not Brawn
This article focuses on coil-line upgrades
and what can be achieved without buying new. Not that buying new is not a good option;
it’s just not the only one.
BY WILLIE CHACKO, JOE GENTILIA AND DAVE LAWS
Agreat deal of aging coil-handling and press-feeding equipment remains in operation after three decades of use, as economic condi- tions of the past few years have forced many stampers to make do with equip- ment purchased long ago. But these conditions have begun to change, the economy has improved and many North American OEMs have reshored work from offshore suppliers.
As a result, many domestic metal- formers have begun to invest, looking for solutions that reduce costs, increase part quality and improve JIT sched- ules. To meet new demands, many have found the need to upgrade their coil- handling and press-feeding equipment. However, a major question looms: Buy new, or upgrade?
This article focuses on coil-line upgrades and what can be achieved without buying new. Not that buying new is not a good option; it’s just not the only option. More than half of today’s pressrooms house convention- al press-feeding equipment, and not much has changed during the past 30
Willie Chacko is CEO, Joe Gentilia is pres- ident, and Dave Laws is sales manager, Dallas Industries, Troy, MI: 248/583-9400; www.dallasindustries.com.
years. However, there have been advancements in electronics and con- trols that can make new press feeds more productive and profitable to operate, while reducing scrap rate.
Since the basic structures of coil- handling and press-feeding equipment have not significantly changed, the best productivity opportunity lies in upgrad-
ing the brains, not the brawn. Upgrad- ing the controls and electronics of older equipment allows for:
• Operating at higher speeds;
• Running larger parts;
• Eliminating material surface dam-
age; and
• Operating without the sudden start
and stop motions that cause excessive
16 MetalForming/August 2011
www.metalformingmagazine.com
The forward loop mode maintains the loop between the reel and the feed with a laser loop sensor controlling material payout during an automatic coil run.