TPT March 2011

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130 March 2011 ›
Automotive Tube & Pipe Manufacturing
FOR some applications, cutting to length
is not enough – cutting to the precise
dimension is required. Plantool’s state-of-
the-art cold circular saws are designed for
precise mass production.
The cutting process is optimised by
using intelligent, rigid machines, effective
chip removal and the right lubrication of
tungsten carbide tipped (TA) blades.
For tube and pipe cutting Plantool
provides its patented multifunction
technology. The principal idea of the
company’s patent is to combine turning of
the pipe with two or more simultaneously
cutting blades. As a result of this innovation
the cut off process is faster, produces
fewer chips, consumes less energy and
extends the life of the saw blades.
Plantool’s saw type 2/15 HF uses the
patented multifunction cutting technology.
The machine has been designed for
tube cutting up to 140mm diameter, and
is equipped with two blades attached to
spindles with one 15kW motor each. Semi-
automatic and fully automatic feeding
High volume component cutting for automotives
systems are available. As an example,
the capacity for tubes of 100mm OD, wall
thickness 8mm and cut length 20mm is
4,000 cuts per 8-hour shift, equalling 2.5
million cuts per year.
Plantool has served customers in the
metal industry since 1976, and since the
1990s has delivered over 80 circular saw
units. The company offers four different
scopes of delivery: stand alone saws; saws
included in an integrated production line;
saws dovetailed with the customer’s existing
production system; or saws as integrated
parts of special purpose machines.
Plantool Oy – Finland
Email:
Website:
Plantool’s 2/15 HF saw
EMS, France, is the manufacturer of a
complete range of tube end-forming
machines with standard working power
from 30kN to 800kN. These machines –
electrically or hydraulically driven – are
utilized in the fabrication of automotive
products.
The single or double machines enable the
forming of one or two ends, with a maximum
of 10 successive working stations. The
machines require no setting down of the
tube and include end-forming, chamfering,
machining and rolling operations.
The company recently supplied
its machinery to a German automotive
subcontractor to simultaneously end-form
both ends of stainless steel bent tubes. This
task is difficult as both ends of the tube are
not located on the same axes. In carrying
out this work, an important ID expansion of
50 per cent was achieved.
The machine developed by EMS was
able, under one clamping movement, to
perform extreme end-forming with a working
power of 400kN. EMS is still currently
developing the cutting machine systems for
this process. In addition to the classic CT
system using knives – that allows cutting of
over-length without scraps – EMS has also
developed the CTR model.
The CTR machine is based on a wheel
that approaches and cuts the tube from
inside to outside. The result is a clean cut,
without burrs and deformation. The new
fully electric model of cutting machine (type
CTR AK), allows a combination of cutting,
rolling and calibration of tubes up to Ø
400mm, with all type of material and wall
thickness.
The new model also cuts tubes with
several angles, without any burrs or
deformation. The new model is highly
appreciated by the aerospace and exhaust
industries because it is silent and electrically
driven, and allows manufacturing of tube
ends without scraps or burrs.
EMS also undertakes the manufacture
of full automatic production lines for
manufacturing press-fittings. The operations
for this area include cutting, chamfering and
end forming of stainless steel, steel, brass
or copper tubes for the heating and sanitary
industries.
EMS is a leader in production lines or
machines for mounting of catalytic exhaust
systems, including forming, mounting,
spinning and measuring technologies.
Other EMS services include maintenance,
supply of cutting and end-forming tools, and
production of pre-serial prototypes.
EMS – France
Website:
The tube from the German automotive
subcontractor, end-formed using EMS technology
Complex tube end-forming in the automotive industry