Kasto has introduced what it describes as a high-performance, economically priced bandsaw to leverage the benefits of either tungsten-carbide tipped (TCT) or bi-metal blades. At MACH 2018, visitors to Hall 7 Stand 365 will see that the KastoWin Pro AC 5.6 offers short cutting times, long blade life and intuitive operation.

Compared with standard KastoWin machines, the bandsaw can increase production efficiency by between 50 and 100%, more in some instances, depending on the type of blade and material being cut. Having an installed weight of 4.3 tonnes, the saw band is driven by an 11 kW frequency-controlled motor, delivering infinitely adjustable cutting speeds from 12 to 150 m/min. The maximum size of stock that can be cut is 560 mm and the smallest dimension is 25 x 25 mm, while the shortest residual length is 10 mm for individual offcuts and 35 mm in automatic operation.
The saw incorporates ecological design features that lower energy consumption, especially in the hydraulics. Kasto has complemented this technology by developing electro-mechanical down feed of the blade controlled via two ballscrews, each with a servo drive. The hydraulics system is therefore only responsible for workpiece clamping and saw blade tensioning, so is actuated far less than in the past, delivering an energy saving in this area of 93%.
All drives are controlled by intelligent converter technology, while dynamic parts such as the saw frame have been designed to be lighter. Overall, these measures have made it possible to achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency; consumption being on average 28% lower compared with Kasto’s previous bandsaw model of equivalent size.
For further information www.kasto.com

At the forthcoming MACH exhibition at the Birmingham NEC next month, Vollmer (Hall 20, Stand 160) will be giving an exhibition debut to two machines for the processing of saw blades and cutting tools: the Loroch Evolution K850-M and Vgrind 360.

Incorporating a 19” touch-screen CNC that is comparable to a smartphone configuration, the Loroch Evolution K850-M allows blades to be programmed in minutes. Suitable for processing HSS, solid-carbide and friction saw blades, the machine has a direct-drive grinding wheel configuration which reduces power loss and eliminates undesired vibration that can impact blade quality.
Capable of automatic processing, saw blades can be loaded from 130 to 520 mm diameter in random order, while manual loading will accommodate blades up to 850 mm diameter. To achieve the automated concept with differing bore sizes, bore-reducing rings can be used to create a common bore diameter. With eight CNC axes, just one clamping flange is required for blades from 130 to 850 mm diameter.
For manufacturers of carbide drills and milling cutters, the Vgrind 360 features two vertically arranged spindles and five harmonised CNC axes that achieve interpolation with short travel distances for both the linear axes and swivel ranges. Capable of processing cutting tools up to 200 mm diameter, the machine has a number of automation options for lights-out production that will be demonstrated at the show.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Sintered tools have a reputation in metal processing for being particularly hard-wearing and for maintaining their sharpness over a long period. However, processing saw blades, drills and milling tools proves to be time consuming as a result of their particular hardness. This is why the saw blade professionals from Alesa in Switzerland started their own development process to design a grinding machine for circular saw blades. The fully automated Denta Combi 160 is designed for multi-shift operations. Here, precision synchronous servomotors featuring a wash-down coating from Kollmorgen are responsible for positioning the high-frequency grinding heads accurately.

Grinding hard materials involves the major challenge of dissipating the generated heat through water or oil as effectively as possible. The saw blades are so sensitive that temperatures at the edges of more than between 180 and 200°C can result in immediate changes in material performance. The structure deteriorates and hardness reduces considerably.
With this in mind, a high-pressure oil jet is deployed by the Denta Combi so that teeth remain as cool as possible during chamfering. However, as water is more effective than oil in absorbing friction heat during grinding, the machine engineer has to increase the oil supply pressure – and integrate a CO2 extinguisher into the system. In order to prevent the positioning drives inside the processing centre from adverse damage through contact with the cooling liquid, the machine builder uses specially coated synchronous servomotors from Kollmorgen – the AKM Washdown range with a coating made from a two-component epoxy resin. This protects the units securely from the impact of corrosive chemicals. The extremely smooth surface also ensures that liquids are able to run off without residue.
For further information www.kollmorgen.com

At the METAV 2018 exhibition in Germany last month, a forum on sawing technology was held for the first time at the show. The forum showcased the latest developments and solutions, ranging from simple single-blank cutting in a workshop environment all the way through to mass production.

The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), organised the symposium. “We are purposefully aiming at fostering a dialogue between machinery and tool manufacturers, and end users,” emphasises Tim Mayer, group leader sawing technology at the IPA.
In three thematic blocks of sawing machines, sawing tools and process optimisation, the IPA and various market leaders from the sawing sector presented application-relevant, solution-led approaches. Participants were thus able to acquire an overview of current trends, not only in sawing processes, but in the tools used and the manufacturing and automation processes involved. This enabled them to form a picture of the present status in terms of ongoing research, while at the same time finding out from technology leaders what is already possible in entrepreneurial practice.
In times of digitalisation and networking, the subject of Industry 4.0 must never be ignored, of course. The forum accordingly addressed the opportunities and options for sawing machines and the networking of downstream processes.
For further information www.metav.com