Noritake launched two new sawing machines at September’s EMO exhibition in Hanover, Germany. This machine offers an ultra-high speed cutting mechanism that reduces the cycle times by a factor of three against conventional machines, says Japan-headquartered Noritake, which is represented in the UK by Sawcraft. Specifically designed to house an ultra-thin 1 mm blade, the thinner kerf increases material yield. Special attention has also been given to the design of a new guidance system to ensure cutting accuracy.

The second model to be showcased was the NCS-7/80. This machine offers an ultra-high speed cutting mechanism that reduces the cycle times by a factor of three against conventional machines, says Japan-headquartered Noritake, which is represented in the UK by Sawcraft. For example, when sawing 45 mm diameter S45C mild steel, a conventional machine would take 5.4 seconds. However, using the NCS-7/80, this cycle time can be reduced to 1.8 seconds. Despite this high speed, the machine still maintains a precision cutting accuracy of ±0.1mm.
Overall, the complete range has attracted enquiries from across Europe, from the smallest capacity model in the range to the very largest 250 mm diameter capacity machine. Sawcraft’s managing director Alan Hicks reports an overwhelming success from the show: “We were inundated with enquiries from all over Europe, with a particular degree of interest from manufacturers in Germany and France. EMO provides a pivotal platform to launch new products into the market and we look forward to doing the show again in the future.”
For further information www.sawcraft.co.uk

An automatic KASTOtec FC4 bandsaw has led to a three- to four-fold increase in productivity at a family-owned firm in Austria that develops and manufactures solutions for managing torsional vibration in large diesel and gas engines. The company’s product range includes flexible couplings and vibration dampers made from steel and composite, which are typically used in ship propulsion systems, power generation, bulldozers and locomotives.

The saw has been equipped with a robotic system for sorting cut lengths. By connecting the cell to the company’s manufacturing management system, the user is able to keep track of all production data, ensuring reliable, safe, minimally attended operation. Since December 2016, round and flat bar of mainly tempered steel has been sawn to precise lengths on the Kasto machine, as the previous saws struggled to process the difficult-to-cut materials.
Before opting for this solution, the Austrian company’s managers visited Kasto’s headquarters in Achern-Gamshurst, Germany, and were impressed by the technology on offer. They also appreciated the fact that Kasto was able to offer everything from a single source, including an ABB robot with interchangeable magnetic grippers to automate the monotonous and time-consuming task of removing and sorting cut parts and stacking them at four pallet locations.
The saw was also supplied with a magazine that can hold four bars up to 3500 mm long, allowing production to run unattended for extended periods. The KASTOtec receives order data including material type, dimensions and number of cut pieces from the manufacturing execution system (MES), which is linked to the saw via a custom interface.
For further information www.kasto.com

Kasto presented innovations from both sides of the company’s business – sawing machines and storage systems – at September’s EMO exhibition in Germany. Highlights included an intelligent system for the efficient use of energy in automated storage systems, and an automatic version of the KASTOmicut swing-frame bandsaw, the A 2.6, which made its world debut.

The company can now optionally supply its automated storage systems with an integrated energy storage unit that permits flexible use of recovered power. Kasto’s storage systems recover power by converting kinetic energy, produced in braking or lowering of lifting gear, into electricity. This enhancement was demonstrated at EMO on a KASTOunitower. The solution, which can be retrofitted to existing installations, not only reduces energy costs but improves the quality of supply as power is drawn continuously and load peaks are avoided.
During 2016, the KASTOmicut swing-frame bandsaw range was introduced. A fully automatic version is now available, model A 2.6, which was on show for the first time at EMO. Compared with the manual and semi-automatic variants, it offers additional features that include the monitoring of saw-blade tension, carbide-blade guides and an optional chip conveyor for virtually unattended operation.
The range extends to 260 mm capacity for round stock; 310 x 260 mm for flat. Mitre cuts are from -45 to +60°, and the angle is continuously adjustable, as is the band speed, which can be set from 20 to 110 m/min.
For further information www.kasto.com