TPT November 2016

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NOVEMBER 2016 25
T E CHNOLOG Y
Taking the load off system operators
LOADMASTER® loading systems from
Schuler can increase the productivity
of turning and milling centres by
automatically transporting parts to and
from the machines.
The newly developed LoadMaster
Assist robot cell improves effectiveness
further by carrying out tasks such as
the clamping of raw parts in the devices
or the cleaning and de-burring of parts,
which previously had to be performed by
system operators. This allows operators
to concentrate on other important
tasks.
The degree of automation of the
machining centres is increased to a level
that allows not only lights-out shifts but
also, for example, continuous operation
over the weekend. The machines can
remain in operation for several days
without an operator having to intervene.
“The LoadMaster Assist is the
logical addition to our solutions for the
automation of machine tools,” said
managing director Stephan Mergner,
head of the automation division at
Schuler.
The range of loading systems
encompasses the LoadMaster
Compact modular system, the
LoadMaster Flex high rack system,
and the LoadMaster Herkules for high
weight classes from three to eight tons.
The LoadMaster Tool links the tool
magazines of processing machines.
Schuler presented the LoadMaster
Assist at the AMB trade fair in Stuttgart,
Germany, in September.
Schuler AG – Germany
Fax: +49 7161 66233
Website:
The Schuler LoadMaster Compact, Flex and
Herkules loading systems can be equipped
with the robot cell
Photo credit: Schuler
The LoadMaster Assist enables lights-out
shifts for turning and milling centres
Weld backing tape for weld purging
IT is important when welding metals such
as stainless steel, titanium and zirconium
that the welding zone is purged of oxygen
even as low as ten parts per million
(ppm) before, during and immediately
after welding, in order to achieve a clean,
oxide-free, zero-colour weld.
During a recent trip to South America,
weld purging experts from Huntingdon
Fusion Techniques (HFT) were
supporting their exclusive distributor
and local customers when a discovery
was made concerning the use of the
company’s Argweld® Backing Tape™.
A customer showed how the use of his
former ceramic backing tiles and the
tiny space available for the weld root
formation prevented adequate argon
flow and caused the welding arc to blow
back at the welder.
Luke Keane, distributor support for
HFT, explained, “Ceramic backing tiles
are designed for submerged arc welding
where oxidation is prevented by powder
as opposed to argon, so the customers
were using the wrong product for GTAW/
TIG welding. Ademonstration of Argweld
Backing Tape followed, which allowed
the argon to flow freely, eliminating the
blow back of the arc that was happening
previously and enabling the welders to
produce a perfect root weld.”
Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Weld
Backing Tape™ comprises a 75mm (3")
wide aluminium adhesive tape backing
strip, in the centre of which is a 25mm
(1") wide band of woven glass fibre
matting. Once the tape is positioned with
the glass fibre matting under the centre
of the weld joint, the welders can start
their arc. The welding torch argon flow
has plenty of space to move between the
pores of the matting, which allows the
welding arc to stabilise and start forming
the weld root.
Measured by a Weld Purge Monitor®,
all contaminating oxygen below 100
parts per million (ppm) is removed and
the stainless steel weld root is completed
successfully, with the molten metal being
cast onto the fibre glass with excellent
side wall fusion and under-bead profile.
The customer was said to be
enthusiastic about the clean,
metallurgically sound, non-oxidised
weld, and placed a large order for Weld
Backing Tape for immediate delivery.
Huntingdon Fusion Techniques – UK
Website:
Finished weld
Gas flow using API sampling probe