Page 30 - MetalForming January 2016

Retrofitting a Press with a
Servo Transfer?
Options abound to ensure the right fit for your applications.
BY ROD NASEMAN
Transferring stamped or formed parts from station to station inside of a stamping press is not a new concept, but the options avail- able, front-and-back or through-the- window, and just what they can accom- plish, may offer some new news to metalformers. With these options, retrofits are a viable alternative to new- press purchases.
Today’s transfer systems employ servo technology, providing the flexi- bility to move parts through a press that employs virtually any crank motion. Typical standard eccentric and link-motion presses have been in oper- ation for years. With a feedback device coupled to the crankshaft, the transfer can be programmed to follow the motion of the crank through the direct- coupled feedback device. In link- motion presses, the transfer program-
Rod Naseman is product manager for press automation at Wayne Trail−A Lin- coln Electric Company, Fort Loramie, OH; 937/295-2120; www.waynetrail.com.
The modules in a front-and- back servo-driven transfer sys- tem occupy less real estate than with an upright or through-the- window system. Front-and-back transfers are positioned in front of or behind the die so that the module can be run and parked in a full-up position for die access. However, when addi- tional access is needed, longer transfer-mounting frames can be supplied, allowing the trans- fer module to be shifted laterally away from the press bed and parked in the offline position.
ming is modified to allow for slow down and speed up of the crank through the press stroke.
Modularly designed, full-servo transfer technology can turn a new or under-utilized stamping press into a valuable, multipurpose metalforming resource. Choosing to place the servo transfer online or offline allows the same press to be used not only for new transfer operations, but also for blank- ing or progressive-die work.
With servo-press technology becom- ing more popular, the need to work more closely with press manufacturers becomes more of a necessity so that motion produced by the servo press (i.e., pendulum, rapid restrike, vari- able link motion, etc.) can be accu- rately followed with the transfer. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, depending on the control scheme of the press and transfer.
If both systems employ the same control architecture, all of the axes will operate in harmony via the same feed- back device. If the architecture differs,
28 MetalForming/January 2016
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