German sawing machine manufacturer, Kasto, is supplementing its bandsaw programme with the addition of a twin-column machine for cutting stock to length and mitring between -45° and +60° to a high degree of precision. The KASTOmiwin saw is said to be suitable for use by steel stockholders due to its power and rigidity.

Available in semi-automatic and automatic versions, U 4.6 and A 4.6 respectively, the latter model has a rack-and-pinion drive to feed material by up to 3000 mm in a single stroke. Blade down-feed is actuatedelectrically via a ballscrew drive.

The clamping range of the new bandsaw is up to 460 mm, depending on material profile, whilethe smallest size that can be cut is 10 x 10 mm. For single straight cuts, the KASTOmiwin semi-automatic machine leaves a rest piece of 30 mm, increasing to 200 mm on the automatic model. The user can adjust the band speed steplessly between 12 and 150 m/min.

According to Kasto, the installation length required by the KASTOmiwin is 3,950 mm, or 5,450 mm for the version with material infeed, whilepositioning the saw head at an angle reduces the width to 2980 mm, making it suitable for transportation in a container.

The KASTOmiwin can of course be served by a robot if required. In fact Kasto UK managing director Ernst Wagner, says there is a marked trend towards automated sawing.

“Nearly half of carbide circular sawing machines sold in Germany have some degree of automation, for example the inclusion of robotic chamfering, centring or sorting of cut pieces without operator intervention,” he says. “What’s more, there are similarly many examples of automation applied to bandsawing installations, not only in Germany but also across Europe and the USA. Here again, around half of installations are automated to some extent.”
For further information www.kasto.com