TPT May 2008

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53 M ay 2008
Technology Update
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damage, improved use of storage space
and safer handling more than justify the
investment in the Combilift.” he added that
the drivers are so keen on the truck that they
would be at a loss if it were taken away.
The current range of Combilifts
encompasses over a dozen models with
capacities ranging from 2.5 to 14 tonnes,
with LPG, diesel or electric power available.
The trucks are designed to work both
inside and out, on semi-rough terrain and
in all weather conditions. A team of design
engineers at the Monaghan factory in
Ireland can draw up free warehouse layouts
to illustrate the best use of available storage
space using the Combilift system.
Combilift Ltd – Ireland
Fax: +353 47 80501
Email:
Website:
Fully-electric machine
for tube end forming
Silfax, France, has introduced a fully electric
machine for processing pipe and tube ends.
With this machine, it is possible to create
beads, conical nipples and o-rings precisely
and cost-efficiently.
The powerful forming machines, which are
available in a variety of formats with up to
eight forming stages and with 50, 80, or
120kN loads, remove the need to lathe and
solder pipe ends.
“The fact that you can now do away entirely
with lathing and soldering makes the already
short cycle time even more attractive to
manufacturers,” stated Mr Thomas Rohde,
head of systems technology. “Critically,
there are no more hydraulics – depending
on the temperature, they cause inaccurate
or inconsistent results.”
Forming tube and pipe ends is a crucial
process in the automotive and aerospace
industry. The ends of brake, oil and fuel
pipes often have to be provided with a
bead or conical nipples, as do power
steering tubes and pressurised piping.
On other occasions, pipes have to be
prepared for the insertion of o-rings. As
well as having to meet strict quality and
safety requirements, they must be totally
leak-proof and 100 per cent reliable.
Silfax’s new, compact, and fully-electric
machines form the end of pipes using
automatic tools closure and advanced
pneumatic clamping and tube detection.
The axis of each tool can be set
independently, and tool changeovers
are carried out pneumatically. Without
counting handling time, each forming
cycle takes only two seconds, making the
machines suitable for state-of-the-art and
cost-efficient setups.
The new machines allow for up to eight
forming stages as well as multi-axis
forming processes. They also allow
the creation of beads on the inside and
outside of components. Loads can be
set up to 120kN, making it possible to
process a broad variety of materials. As
the whole process works electrically using
ultimate precision servos, quality remains
consistent, and the working environment
remains clean, with noise levels not
exceeding 75 decibels. This adheres to all
health and safety requirements.
Silfax – France
Fax: +33 4 7231 0619
Email:
Website: