Page 27 - MetalForming March 2020

controlled CNC punching machines result from elimination of hydraulics, according to Angel.
“A hydraulic unit assists with punch- ing force in mechanical machines, with purely hydraulic machines using larg- er-capacity hydraulic units,” he explains. “Chillers used on many hydraulic machines add to running costs and maintenance needs. These machines basically must run constantly in order to be ready to supply punching power. All-servo machines, on the other hand, consume very little power when not punching.”
Maintenance of servo-driven CNC punching machines, according to Angel, only involves the general daily/weekly cleaning and oiling that any machine tool requires, with servo drives themselves needing no special maintenance. Elimination of hydraulics means no oil replacement and moni- toring of hydraulic components that tend to wear due to heat buildup and constant operation. In addition, with
hydraulics typically not standardized, maintenance and component replace- ment always has brought an extra level of complexity.
Today, fabricators easily can moni- tor machine run time daily, weekly and yearly, which enables creation of pre- ventive maintenance schedules. And, because tooling represents the major wear item in the punching world, notes Angel, the ability exists to track tool- hit counts and setup limits, with such tracking indicating when tools should be checked for maintenance and sharpening.
Another maintenance plus noted by Angel: Even when trouble arises, servo drives have been used for X- and Y-axis movement in punching machines for many years, and fabri- cators can employ knowledge gained there when addressing the ram drive.
“Servos used for the ram drive do not represent a completely different system that demands its own knowl- edge base,” he says.
Effectively Serves Automotive Aftermarket
With this issue of MetalForming set for distribution at the Precision Met- alforming Association’s popular Auto- motive Parts Suppliers Conference (www.pma.org/apsc), April 28-29 in Detroit, MI, we felt that the efficacy of CNC punching in this sector be addressed in this article. Though not typically introduced during automotive new-part volume production, CNC punching finds heavy and immensely effective use in aftermarket and cus- tomization applications.
For example, fabricators will employ servo-controlled CNC punching to cus- tomize basic vehicles—adding tanks, cabinets or specific beds, according to Angel. Chances are that any emergency, lawncare, electric company or other contractor vehicle features customiza- tion via CNC punching.
“Such custom, low-volume produc- tion,” he says, “lends itself well to these versatile machines.” MF
Fabrication: CNC Punching
RAMPING UP PRODUCTION?
RESISTANCE WELDING MACHINERY & MORE, READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT.
TJSNOW.COM | USEDSPOTWELDER.COM | (800) NOW-SNOW
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/March 2020 25