Page 21 - MetalForming June 2015

plant has emerged. The massive, pris- tine interior is dominated by 250-, 350- and 1000-ton press lines from Nidec Minster, Minster, OH. The three lines, complete with coil-handling equip- ment as well as a transfer system on the 1000-ton press, give Hatch Stamping flexibility in servicing current cus- tomers and the ability to accept a range of new business.
“Overall, the lines allow us to run a variety of materials, from cold-rolled to standard hot-rolled to high-strength low-alloy steels,” explains Stewart Claucherty, Hatch Stamping engineer- ing manager. “We also can run dual- phase, stainless steel and aluminum.
“With such a range we can meet the needs of many customers,” he adds.
Mirroring production at its other plants, Hatch Stamping will transform these materials into all sorts of parts including automotive seat-assembly brackets, tracks and seat-related mech- anisms; ABS and other braking com- ponents; and fuel-system brackets, straps and rings.
The press lineup includes a Minster E2H standard mechanical 250-ton press, selected for its robustness and minimal bed deflection, enabling pro- duction of tight-tolerance parts that require coining and high-impact forming.
The E2H 350-ton press features Min- ster’s alternative slide motion (ASM) technology.
“It offers unique drawing capabili- ties while maintaining efficient stroke speed,” explains Claucherty. “If the ram velocity is too fast on some of our draws, the parts will tear or fracture. With ASM, the ram slows at the bottom of the stroke for a slower forming rate, and then accelerates on the way up and back down. It provides some char- acteristics of a servo-driven press but at the higher speeds we need. That’s why we opted for ASM over servo drive in this press.”
The 250- and 350-ton presses have 47 by 120-in. beds, along with auto- mated feed lines that accept stock widths to 32 in. in thicknesses from 0.020 to 0.25 in. These turnkey lines
also feature integrated control that runs all components from the press console.
The largest press, Minster’s E2 1000- ton unit, provides a 72 by 168-in. bed and will produce parts at full-tonnage speeds from 17 to 35 strokes/min. at Hatch Stamping. The line can feed material in thicknesses from 0.030 to 0.375 in. and has been augmented with transfer capabilities.
Servo-Transfer System Offers Production, Die-Change Advantages
An LTA-FR front-to-rear transfer sys- tem from Linear Transfer Automation Inc., Barrie, Ontario, Canada, was installed after the 1000-ton press arrived, and offers Hatch Stamping flexibility in production and die change.
The system, mounted on the front and rear of the press, provides rigidity
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