Page 49 - MetalForming September 2016

typically are designed, engineered and built for industry-standard T-slot configurations typical of most stamp- ing plants. This helps simplify any nec- essary reconfiguring of the production layout. For even more deployment flex- ibility and help with compliance of minor alignment issues, some electric shakers use rubber suspension tech- nology that provides several functions in a single unit, such as those provided by torsion springs, pivot bearings and anti-vibration mounts.
Less noise—Noise in stamping plants is a given and an environmental condition that’s subject to limits set by OSHA. But it’s an even bigger issue if pneumatic shaker systems are in place with loud air bursts each time trim gets cleared. Electric shaker systems operate almost silently thanks to their relatively small motors.
Extensibility—As momentum for smart manufacturing builds, manu- facturing plants increasingly are mod- ernizing their digital command-and-
control systems with field-level sensors and production-floor controllers. These devices communicate with higher- level manufacturing-execution sys- tems. Electric shaker systems can be configured to connect into these net- works.
For example, although most elec- tric shaker systems have a simple on/off switch or are wired into the press, a variable-frequency drive could provide finer control of the shaker motor’s operation. Also, a sen- sor could monitor the amps of a shak- er to warn plant operators that a jam has occurred. A technician then can be dispatched to manually clear the jam before scrap backs up and causes a press shutdown.
Proper Installation
and Maintenance
for Trouble-Free Operation
What’s clear from helping hundreds of metal-stamping plants deploy elec- tric shaker systems is that proper
installation and maintenance is required to ensure trouble-free oper- ation, to keep scrap moving and press efficiency rates high. While electric shaker systems have been available for years, many stamping plants around the world still use pneumatic systems (some still use belt conveyors) to ferry scrap for recycling or sale. As a result, they suffer the costs and con- sequences of increased production disruptions, as well as high mainte- nance and repair costs.
Experiencing disrupted production caused by the failure of a pneumatic shaking system unfortunately is not an isolated case. (See the accompany- ing case-history sidebar.) One study showed that while an electric actuator might cost as much as five times that of a pneumatic actuator, the extra cap- ital cost usually is recovered within 12 months of deployment. MF
Article provided by MPI, Highland, MI; 248/887-5600, www.mpimagnet.com.
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