TPT March 2009

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March 2009 80 ›
C overage of these areas of expertise always
centres on precision: in measurement, spacing,
alignment, and follow-through. It can be instructive to
consider the immense number and variety of factors
that go into ensuring this zero-tolerance precision.
The website of one manufacturer of tube punching
machinery showcases punching tools for
presses, hydraulic tube punching tools, and
custom-built tube punching machines.
The units are adaptable to press brakes and
power presses; or, in the hydraulic version,
fitted with an integral cylinder. They can be
arranged in straight lines on presses and
custom-built machines; or set up to punch pre-
formed tube components.
Since the necessity of punching without deformation is paramount, the equipment
supplier must allow for machining by both mandrel die and stump mandrel, to ensure
the integrity of the tube’s inside diameter. The countersink effect must be anticipated
and the remedy applied.
Punching and notching must
dovetail smoothly with the
tube bending operation.
Round tubes, square tubes,
rectangular tubes, box sections
– all present their individual
challenge to the machine that
must deliver a precision punch,
every time.
A very small error in drilling,
piercing, and punching will have
very large consequences. The
products and services reviewed
here have been developed to
eliminate any such concern.
 SMS Engineering Srl has launched a new automatic punching system that can produce round
or square holes with or without deformation (see page 82)
Drilling, Piercing &
Punching Technology
 Carson is the manufacturer of a range of hole punching equipment,
with technology based on mandrel punching (see page 84)