Page 37 - MetalForming-Sep-2018-issue

Paul Stirrett, vice president, sales and marketing, Linear Transfer Automation Inc.
in speed and cycle
time,” says Paul
Stirrett, vice pres-
ident of sales at
Linear Transfer,
“but it gives the
transfer system
very little time to
make its moves.
That’s why equip-
ment providers up
and down the
press line have
been focused on
moving more
quickly, and with more precision. To help drive home this point, I’ll show a video during the conference of an installation we recently completed where we’re working with a pendulum- motion press application at very high speed.”
Speed from servo presses has esca- lated so much, Stirrett adds, that he’s noting a trend toward using linear motors in some very specialized
applications.
“We are starting to see applications
where press speed requires linear- motor transfers,” he says. “These high- er-torque and higher-speed setups, while more expensive than servo-based machines, can prevent the material- handling function from becoming a bottleneck. These systems can pull up to 10 Gs and still precisely control part location.”
During his talk, Stirrett will describe one such system—a solar-panel pro- duction line capable of running at 120 strokes/min. Also on Stirrett’s agenda: Depiction of the latest/greatest in end- of-arm transfer tooling, and new tools designed to facilitate quick changeovers.
Curvilicous
While new technology often can pay for itself in a reasonable amount of time, some metalformers strive “to make more with what they currently have,” notes Corey Chamberlain, owner of T-Sim Solutions, a developer of trans-
fer-system simu- lation software.
“We’ve been seeing this trend for some time,” he says—“a big push to optimize pro- ductivity and get the most out of existing equip- ment.” In doing so,
Chamberlain rec- ommends that metalformers take
a close look at their transfer-system motion curves. There they’ll often find at least another 15- to 20-percent gain in productivity, leveraging the mathe- matical power of simulation software to help optimize motion parameters such as acceleration and velocity.
“Using the software, we can examine each portion of the transfer cycle indi- vidually,” he explains, “and lock down the parameters at their maximum. This way, if there’s a problem with one axis
Corey Chamberlain, owner, T-Sim Solutions LLC
SEPTEMBER 25-26, 2018 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Whether you operate, or have yet to purchase, servo-driven presses or other servo-driven line equipment, you’ll benefit from attending the 2018 ServoTechnology Experience.
Key takeaways:
• Learn how servo technology is invading the automotive pressroom, taking on a myriad of challenges, including forming thinner-gauge and higher-strength materials.
Mark Stevens, Project Manager, Center for Automotive Research
• Learn how pressroom technology is impacting the forming capabilities of newer aluminum alloys for automotive applications.This presentation updates attendees on where the use of aluminum in automotive applications is heading, and addresses how servo-based pressroom equipment fits into the picture.
J.P. McGuire, Program R & D and Applications Engineering, Aleris
• Discover how servo-based pressroom equipment helps reduce energy usage, and how to make your existing servo-driven equipment run more efficiently and reliably.
Sponsors:
www.MetalFormingmagazine.com/servo
6363 Oak Tree Blvd. Independence, OH 44131 216/901-8800 www.metalformingmagazine.com www.pma.org
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/September 2018 35