Boost productivity with double-sheet sensors

The automotive supply chain consistently faces pressure to increase productivity and reduce costs. A risk to productivity on press lines is the potential for the accidental feeding of two or more sheets (rather than one) into a press.There is also a danger of this causing expensive damage to the press tools.

According to Plus Automation, a master distributor for smart sensor specialist Contrinex in the UK & Ireland, double-sheet detection systems designed to prevent this issue are costly, limiting their use to high-volume production cells. Their high price also typically prevents their use in assembly operations, where it would be ideal to verify the presence of two sheets.

Plus Automation says that Contrinex smart sensors offer a far more affordable way to detect the presence of individual sheets and double-sheet conditions, triggering an alarm and halting production to prevent press damage.On a production line that runs a large variation of sheet materials and thicknesses, the PocketCodr is key to simplifying the configuration of smart sensors. The PocketCodr app running on a tablet monitors and quickly configures sensors during the commissioning of a new product.

In a real customer application, the combination of Contrinex inductive smartsensors with the PocketCodr sensor configurator is offering flexible and reliable double-sheet detection solutions for a manufacturer of pressed metal parts. The compact yet robust metal-bodied M18 sensors sit either side of the in-feed conveyor. Not only do they sense the presence of each sheet, allowing the automatic initiation of press operation, they also detect an unwanted double-sheet condition, triggering an alarm before damage occurs.

PocketCodr puts the monitoring and configuration of the smart sensors into the hands of the engineer on a tablet or phone and removes the need for any coding.
For further information www.plusautomation.co.uk

DC Norris buys Gilwood

Gareth Harris and Chris Ratten of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed joint administrators of Gilwood (Fabricators) Co Ltd on 1 November 2023 and have secured the sale of the business and its assets to DC Norris & Co in a pre-pack administration deal.
Based in Heywood, Lancashire, Gilwood is a family-run metal fabrication business specialising in pressure vessels and static process plant equipment. The 26-employee company manufactures products for a number of industries including oil and gas, petrochemicals, nuclear, and food and drink. All 26 jobs have been saved as part of the sale.
For further information www.rsmuk.com

Large order for rail wheel production line

India-based Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels has placed an order for a wheel roller, two forging presses, automation, dies, a rotary hearth furnace and heat treatment, from Schuler and Andritz Metals. Like Schuler, Andritz Metals is part of the international Andritz technology group. Schuler says the order is in the upper double-digit million euro range

Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels is a joint venture between one of the largest suppliers of forged parts in India and the nation’s biggest manufacturer of railroad wagons in the private sector. The world’s most populous country plans to invest over $700bn in its rail network over the next few years.

“Schuler has already proven its expertise in the manufacture of railroad wheels with numerous production lines installed on the Asian continent,” says Naresh Jalan, managing director of Ramkrishna Forgings. “It was important for us to select a supplier whose equipment stands for high quality.”

Christian Palm, director hydraulic presses at Schuler, adds: “Forged railroad wheels are best at handling the extreme stresses of heavy acceleration and deceleration. We’re pleased to help take rail transportation in India to the next level with this production line.”

The forming of rail wheels takes place in four steps before they enter machining. First, a 10,000 ton hydraulic forging press produces a disc-shaped pre-form from a heated billet in two stages, receiving its final diameter in a wheel roller. Then, the second 5,000-ton press calibrates the rolled-out wheel before axial offsetting and piercing of the hub.
For further information www.schulergroup.com

New Rhodes Interform contractraisesthe roof

Rhodes Interform, a UK metal-forming machinery specialist, has secured a multi-million-pound contract to manufacture and supply a new mechanical punch press for Zentia, which specialises in complete ceiling solutions at its facilities in Gateshead.

The Rhodes DS2-315 geared press is a double-sided 315 tonne mechanical press, designed with a two-point suspension that allows for a larger working bed area, even distribution of nominal tonnage, and the accommodation of any offset loading. Installation will take place 2024. The entire process, including the design, manufacture, and installation of the press, will be handled by engineers at Rhodes Interform in Wakefield, including the removal of the press currently at the premises in Gateshead.

Mark Ridgway OBE, CEO of Group Rhodes states: ‘’It’s a privilege to supply Zentia with another high-specification metal-forming solution. As a market leader of complete ceiling solutions, Zentia requires the production speed and accuracy that the Rhodes DS2 mechanical press can provide.”

Neil Hunter, engineering and improvement manager at Zentia,adds: “The existing Rhodes press has been in service for 30 years and punched in excess of 300 million square metres of ceiling tile in this time. We’re looking forward to receiving the new increased tonnage press.”

Rhodes Interform is a division of Group Rhodes. Soon to be celebrating its 200th anniversary, the company offers a wide range of hot and cold-forming technologies for specialist metal-forming applications across several sectors. In addition, the company’s composite machinery produces structural components for the aerospace and automotive sectors.
For further information www.grouprhodes.co.uk

95,000 expected at METALEX 2023

The 37th edition of METALEX 2023, the ASEAN region’sleadingmachine tool and metalworking technologies event, will take place inhalls 98-104 at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) on 22-25 November. The event will see a 10% expansion on the previous show, featuringcirca 2500 brands of machine tools and metalworking technologies from 50 countries.

The organiser RX Tradex (formerly Reed Tradex) says it has tens of thousands of industrialistsfrom more than 40 countries pre-registered to visit the exhibition, which this year takes place under the theme of ‘The Innovators’. In total, the organiser expects around 95,000 visitors to attend and estimates the event will generate no less than THB7bn in trade value. In addition to the exhibition, the event will host 35 informative seminars.
For further information www.metalex.co.th