TPT July 2017

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54 JULY 2017
T E CHNOLOG Y
New features on
T-Drill collaring
machine S-54
T-DRILL has added several new features to its S-54 collaring
machine, making it more flexible to use in automotive, air
conditioning, refrigeration or cooling applications.
With the addition of integrated tooling and new pro-
gramming, the machine can do three different operations
in one set-up with one tool: drilling only; pulling a collar for
making brazed tube joints; and pulling and trimming a collar
suitable for making butt-welded tube joints.
The latest innovation from T-Drill is the redesigned
versions of manual and automatic feed tables (MFT/AFT).
These feed table options are modular in construction and
can be adapted to existing S-54 collaring machines. As
production requirements increase, the manual version can
be upgraded to an automatic version just by adding the
necessary modules and automation components.
The manual feed table is simple, safe and easy to operate.
Standard modules are available for 1,500, 2,500, 3,500,
4,500, 6,000 and 8,000mm long tubes. In some cases,
it is possible to handle complex bent tube with the MFT
system.
With the standard MFT it is possible to make the positioning
of collars on the whole tube length by using three selectable
pre-drilled templates or using the pneumatic brake by foot
pedal. As an option there is a digital positioning device with
a display. This is convenient when manufacturing a wide
variety of manifolds instead of long series of similar items.
It is also possible to use the most typical method, namely
marking locations on the tube. For this purpose there is a
laser pointer that can be obtained as an option.
In addition to the accurate location of collars along the
length of the tube, the tube can be rotated to any radian
degree through the use of ready-made templates.
Since chips are generated during the collaring process, a
chip tray has been incorporated into the system for the easy
removal of material, which can then be recycled. A clean work
area improves the safety of the working environment.
The new automatic feed table (AFT) has been designed
around two concepts: high production capacity as well as
a system that is easy to understand, efficient to operate,
ergonomic and safe.
This fully automatic servo-controlled system is also
equipped with new Weintek HMI for an elegant programming
solution. Using a touchscreen for input, the Weintek HMI
provides on-screen prompts to guide the operator through
the programming process. Even complicated manifolds can
be programmed in minutes, and can be stored as templates
to be modified later or completely re-written.
AFT uses USB memory cards for storing the programs,
which gives unlimited space for different programs just by
changing USB cards.
T-Drill Oy – Finland
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