EoW November 2008

Springs & spring making

High speed flat wire coiling

coiling tooling a full range of round wire and open pitch flat wire coils can be produced. The flat wire Micro- Coiler can coil wire 0.001" x 0.0025" to 0.004" x 0.012" into continuous coils with an index from 3.5 to 12.0.The coiling points

For catheter, medical device and other manufacturers who require continuous flat wire coils for casings and other applications, Kinefac Corporation has developed a new 3-point high speed precision deflection coiling process and the related wire and coil handling which greatly simplify the tooling, setup and operation of its Micro-Coilers. On this unique new flat wire Micro-Coiler system both the radial and vertical tool elements are full CNC controlled along with the wire feed and, where necessary, pitch. The new system includes an extended coil support unit capable of handling coils up to 96" long, and an integrated wire de-reeling unit. The overall coil length is controlled by an adjustable sensor in the output trough and the coils are cut off by a pneumatically actuated shear. With this 3-point tooling system continuous flat wire coil can be produced at up to 3"/second. Diameter tolerances of ± 0.0002" are not uncommon. Coils with variable diameters can be automatically produced. In addition, by using 2-point

The flat wire Micro-Coiler ▲ ▲

are now surfaced with a diamond structure which decreases the coiling friction and enables the user to form coils from some types of coated wire.

Kinefac Corporation – USA Email : sales@kinefac.com Website : www.microcoiler.com

Spring Tooling For almost 35 years, Spring Tooling has manufactured precision tooling in high speed steel and tungsten carbide for use on spring and wire forming machinery. Over the last two years the company has invested in three further CNC form grinding machines and a micro grooving machine, capable of producing wire grooves in steel and carbide down to 25 microns (0.025mm). Spring Tooling supplies a diverse range of customers, specialising in precision springs and wire shapes for almost every industrial sector from micro springs for the electronic and medical industries, precision valve springs for vehicle engines and the aerosol can industry, to manufacturers of fencing and mattresses. Several leading spring and wire forming machinery manufacturers have worked with Spring Tooling for prototype tooling and bespoke tooling for customers around the world. Spring Tooling has customers in over 50 countries. Split rings are springs The only real split ring is a double coil of wire with a crank – so that it lies flat – and with an angle cut at each end to nest against the crank. A typical application for these rings is to hold keys. In reality, this simple piece of wire is made to exacting standards to give trouble free operation; for a split ring to be effective it must have reliable and consistent spring. Berkeley & Co’s manufacturing process calls for spring steel wire, formed to shape on special purpose machines. The heat treatment process ensures the correct and consistent spring and polishing and electro plating brings out the final product. Sizes range from 6mm to 76mm diameter. While the most identifiable use is as a key ring there are many other applications that vary according to the size and strength of the joining requirement. These can range from fishing tackle to chain assemblies. However, whatever the purpose, the need is for a reliable spring, and Berkeley has over 100 years of experience in achieving reliable springs for every application. Berkeley & Co Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1952 290094 Email : sales@berkeley.ltd.uk Website : www.berkeley.ltd.uk Spring Tooling works to ISO 9001:2000. Spring Tooling Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1527 876412 Email : sales@spring-tooling.co.uk Website : www.spring-tooling.co.uk

New spring grinding machine Kamatech has a new solution for spring grinding. The new machine, G66TH1A, can grind springs of up to 6mm diameter wire in only one pass. G66TH1A has two working heads with a central loading unit. With this arrangement it is possible to grind, press and then grind for finish.

Vertical spring end grinders have vertically installed grinding spindles. Springs can be loaded manually or automatically. Kamatech will design and build entire lines for spring production, including coiling, grinding, press and heat treatments. Lines can be automated, including loading, to suit the needs of the user and are easily managed via an industrial PC using a graphic display. Kamatech’s G66TH1A with two working heads ▲ ▲ and central loading unit

Kamatech Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0342 691043 Email : info@kamatech.it Website : www.kamatech.it

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EuroWire – November 2008