TPT January 2012

B ending Production cells for high demand pipe

ROSENBERGER’S Twister ® bending system offers precision, flexibility and process safety, as well as operating comfort. The system, with a KUKA robot at its core, provides the operator with freedom for set- up and number of the bending heads or automation modules within a production cell. The robot proves that it can do the perfect bend in an example bending process for a seat bracket for industrial vehicles. To take up the components, the six- axle device uses part-specific pneumatic exchangeable mechanical grippers developed for the individual applications. The KR16/KR30 collects the respective pipe at the upstream unit for welding seam alignment independently, moves to the X-, Y- and Z-coordinates servo-controlled and therefore highly precisely, operates the bending head and places the part on the removal belt. This way, it links bending to other processes. This production line can be assembled according to individual customer wishes and expanded as required. After loading of the pipe hopper, precise work commences in the system when supplying the pipes, which are transported up with a sliding plate and separated. The separated pipes are taken to an alignment and placement station. The weld seams are recognised, turned to a defined position and the part is pushed onto a fixed stop. The production part is therefore optimally prepared for assumption by the robot. The collection position can be programmed individually and adjusted to the workpiece at all times. A choice between mandrel and mandrel-free bending can be made. When using the mandrel, the pipe is precisely gripped by the robot in the hundredth millimetre range and strung up to be supplied to the connection of the bending station. The mandrel as such is equipped with a servo motor, like the entire system, and thus permits the user to perform any required motions in x-, y- and z-directions. The bending tool is additionally equipped with an integrated punching tool, so that subsequent processing of the pipes at a separate station is not required. The flexible placement options of the robot mean that the punching can be integrated in the process at nearly any pipe position. The robot presents more than pure handling in these plants: it acts as a fixed component of the bending machine and replaces all axes

of a conventional bending machine except for the bending unit. A sophisticated software package programs the robot like a standard bending machine, with all freedoms of the robot programming being retained. The Twister can be equipped with up to six working stations that may be either bending heads or other stations like forming, milling or external machines.

Rosenberger covers the pipe range from 2 to 50mm pipe diameter with its bending technology, using up to nine bending levels per bending head. Rosenberger AG – Germany Fax: +49 3644 5176 38 Email: info@rosenbergerag.com Website: www.rosenbergerag.com

“Excuse me, sir, just one more thing...”

SCHWARZE-ROBITEC: Manufacturer of CNC tube bending machines experience since 1930 · certified highest quality – made in Germany · cutting-edge technology · customer-focused · internationally positioned · keen consulting · capable · unique and individual Manufacturing and servicing of tube and profile cold bending machines: Tube diameters of 4mm - 420mm. www.schwarze-robitec.com

Bending to perfection.

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