TPT January 2008

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55 January 2008
Technology Update
›
Alpha Metall GmbH & Co. KG
Matthias-Erzberger-Str. 13
D-66806 Ensdorf · Germany
Phone +49 (0)6831 5069 51
Fax +49 (0)6831 5069 58
ISO 9001 CERTIFIED
Experience since 1982
Tube 2008
115 x 125 mm, 4C
Turnkey Technology
Inside Tube Deburring Systems
Range: I.D. 14,0 up to 610,0 mm
MADE IN GERMANY
TUBE INDIA
Hall 7ABC / Stand B07
TUBE DÜSSELDORF
Hall 7.1 / Stand 71C46
Tube manipulation technology specialist,
AddisonMckee, USA, has launched its
first shell-rolling machine for forming the
round and oval shapes that make up the
outer bodies of catalytic converters and
mufflers.
Used to feed pre-cut flat sheets through
a configuration of four position-controlled
programmable rollers, ShellRollerTM can
form the outer shell of a muffler or catalytic
converter in virtually any round, oval or
asymmetrical configuration and is suitable
for use with carbon steel, stainless steel
and titanium.
Each forming work-cell consists of a feed
system that loads the sheets using a
vacuum pick-up to lift the sheets from an
incoming stack and load them into the roller
section of the machine for forming. The
load station incorporates fanning magnet
technology to separate all incoming sheets
in order to prevent feeding multiple sheets
into the machine rollers.
In the forming section of the machine, four
precision rollers work together to form the
required cross sections. The top and bottom
rollers are used to pinch the incoming
sheet and feed it backwards and forwards
as dictated by the program to create the
shell shape. These two rollers are driven
by electric servo gear motors and are
electronically synchronised to reduce the
risk of slippage during forming.
The front and rear rollers then act in
conjunction with the feed rollers to create
the required part shape. These rollers are
positioned using electro-mechanical linear
actuators (as opposed to the hydraulic
rollers often used on such machines), for
precise motion and clean, quiet operation.
The control system controls the position of
these front and rear rollers in relation to the
feed position of the sheet to generate the
required bend radius in the sheet throughout
the operation, to ensure the correct finished
shell shape.
Designed for maximum manufacturing
flexibility, the standard system is capable
of forming shells ranging in length from
75mm up to 350mm. Cross sections of up
to 180mm are possible, in either round or
as the major axis of an oval section.
The minimum radius available is 65mm,
though this is partly dependent upon
the material being formed.
Machines with larger or smaller
capacities are available in order
to create shells of significantly
larger lengths or cross
sections.
In addition to manufacturing
and supplying tube bending
and end forming technologies,
AddisonMckee offers tube
measuring solutions, tube
perforation, piercing and
louvring technologies, hydraulic
press machinery, muffler
assembly solutions, plant
automation and complete
workcell integration.
A full range of tooling and accessory options
are also provided, along with comprehensive
maintenance and service contracts, training
and education programmes, and financial
services. Where applicable, the company
is also able to offer machine rebuilds,
refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.
AddisonMckee launches its first
CNC shell-rolling machine
› AddisonMckee’s
new ShellRoller
The company has already secured orders
for eight ShellRoller systems at various
sites across North America.
AddisonMckee – USA
Fax: +1 513 228 7226
Email :
Website: