Page 33 - MetalForming January 2017

with shorter runs with a variety of jobs using a variety of material types and thicknesses. In short, feed systems will not compromise setup time in any way. With such simple operation, an oper- ator is not required to be a feed-system expert, and the feeder does not have to rely on constant user input to achieve and maintain accuracy and performance.
For fit to a press line, a feed system only requires a power source and an interface with the press control, be it serial communication or an Ethernet connection.
“With a simple control, the feed sys- tem is looking for a switch that tells it when to index, and another to tell it when to open the rolls for piloting,” says Crider, explaining how feed sys- tems typically interact with the press control. “More modern controls deliver a host of information from the press via the job number, so all of the needed parameters are supplied.”
As material is threaded, strip can
be jogged by hand or through the feed rolls, powered courtesy of a jog button on the control that allows precise set- ting of indexing. This eases setup for the first time a job is run, and, again, those parameters are saved for future recall. In addition, during operation, special features in newer-generation servo-driven feeds enable accelera- tion/deceleration ramping and feed- angle adjustment to minimize strip jerking or slippage, which also improves accuracy.
Should positioning of the strip somehow become compromised, instead of producing bad parts the feed system can stop the line and issue a fault message. Of course, it will stop automatically should any sensors in the press or die note a discrepancy and communicate a stop order.
Beefed Up Rolls for Tougher Materials
Lastly, Crider addresses the increased use of stronger materials and
how that use has affected feed-system design and operation.
“Material strength makes a differ- ence,” he says. “Rolls on most feed sys- tems are made of a tool steel heattreat- ed to a decent hardness, say HRC 50-60, for longevity. Some of these rolls also may be hard-chrome-plated to a thick- ness that resists wear when moving hard material.”
And, to grip without slip, surface treatments may be applied to the rolls to increase the coefficient of friction. Roll finishes or textures may be pre- scribed to match unique applications. For example, material may be lubri- cated prior to stamping, so perhaps rolls with a knurled texture are used to provide better grip. Also, devices such as measuring wheels can correct positioning should roll slip occur.
In any case, notes Crider, metal- formers should consult with their feed- system suppliers to receive the correct equipment based on application, mate- rial and press specifications. MF
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