The Schuler MC 125 stamping press has been completely redesigned to offer smart functions. A debut appearance for the fully networked machine is planned to take place at the Blechexpo trade fair (5-8 November, Stuttgart) on stand 8511 (hall 8).

As a result of additional integrated sensors, the status of MC 125 can be monitored at all times. This capability ensures the productivity of the machine and prevents unplanned shutdowns. Visitors to the Schuler stand at Blechexpo can experience these functionalities for themselves using their mobile devices.
The mechanics of the stamping machine have also been updated. For instance, Schuler has now implemented pre-stressed, play-free roller guides. The guides not only guarantee the necessary precision, but are low maintenance. A rigid welded construction ensures long service life of the die thanks to its low bed deflection, while the transverse shafts turning in opposite directions compensate for lateral rotation forces.
Presses of the MC series (with a press force of up to 500 tonnes) are suitable for the production of formed sheet-metal parts, not only for the automotive, commercial vehicle and supplier industries, but for the construction ancillary sector, the household appliance industry, and the electrical and electronics sector. Short changeover times can be achieved by fully automatic and programmable stroke and slide adjustment. Bed size ranges
from 1400 x 1000 mm for the MC 125, up to 3000 x 1400 mm for the MC 500.
For further information www.schulergroup.com

Metal-stamping specialist Brandauer has spent £600,000 on a Yamada Dobby NXT 80XL as part of a three-year plan to boost its capacity and provide additional production flexibility at its Birmingham facility. The technology gives the company a 100% reduction in press setting time that releases manufacturing capacity to take on new contract wins in the plumbing, automotive motor lamination and fuel cell segments.

Thanks to the arrival of the Yamada Dobby NXT 80XL, Brandauer has topped off the £2 million modernisation of its facility, a spend which has also included a new GF wire-cut EDM machine, two Andmar surface grinders and an OGP Smartscope Vantage 250 to help with inspection.
Operations manager at Brandauer, Don Walters, says: “We first came across the press at Blechexpo and were impressed with what we saw in terms of its speed, repeatable quality and usability. Our subsequent visit to their showroom in Italy gave us the chance to see the Yamada in all its glory, and we worked with their experts to configure the machine so it delivers the accuracy and performance required.”
It took just nine months from the order being placed for the Yamada NXT 80XL press to be installed and commissioned, with the machine now working on components that use material ranging in thickness from 0.2 to 0.8 mm. The 1.5 m bed is the largest the company currently has available, and it can operate at speeds of between 100 and 800 strokes per minute.
Press shop team leader Karl Jeavons says: “The quality is second to none and we run off thousands and thousands of components every day,
thanks in part to the double link motion mechanism that delivers Yamada’s repeatability, while helping to prolong the life of the tool.
For further information www.brandauer.co.uk

A Redex Tension multi-roll leveller has been used on a tinning line (electrolytic tin plate – ETP) for the first time in China, a move that will help Baosteel (Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd) to expand its share of the export market.

The Redex PMR 1300 Tension eliminates the flatness defects of strip steel and improves its shape. It can apply force on both tensile and bending deformation of the strip at the same time to achieve precise elongation control. Thus, all fibres in the strip are stretched to the same length to obtain high flatness and effectively eliminate internal stress.
Since the tinning lines are required to run around the clock, the time for equipment delivery, installation and commissioning had to be minimised. However, it took only eight days to complete the entire process, nearly half a month ahead of schedule. It was the first time that Redex had worked with Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a Japanese-funded company, to complete the modification of Baosteel 1420 cold rolling No. 2 tin-plating units, and ultimately realise full automation of the operation.
With growing domestic demand for high-end packaging from the food, beverage, medical and chemical industries, the tin-plating production line is expected to gradually take the place of traditional aluminium lines. When the time comes, suppliers able to offer advanced tin-plating units and supporting equipment, such as the Redex Tension multi-roll leveller, will be one step ahead in the international market, and in a position to pursue further growth.
For further information www.redex-group.com

Nidec Press & Automation (NPA) CEO David Winch has announced the acquisition of a German-based company specialising in high-speed metal-forming automation machinery and technology.

Systeme and Steuerungen (SYS) and its subsidiary Die Peripherie Anlagen (DPA) join the NPA group of companies in offering turnkey manufacturing solutions to its customers.
SYS-DPA products include high-speed servo feeds, related automation machinery and integrated controls with production management and monitoring software. In addition, SYS-DPA offers a full suite of customer service products, specialising in press remanufacturing.
“This acquisition will allow us to offer a wider array of products and services, increase our global presence, and boost the profits of customers by combining the experience and synergies of our group companies,” says Winch.
Founded in 1994, SYS-DPA is headquartered in Grafenau, Germany and employs 120 people. Current managing director Wolfgang Biewald and his leadership team will continue to lead the SYS-DPA team in Germany.
Additional NPA brands include Minster, specialising in mid-range tonnage mechanical and servo presses. Arisa manufactures some of the world’s largest servo and mechanical presses, and specialises in customised solutions with built-to-order transfer and material handling systems integrated with controls and software.
Additional OEM solutions from NPA include high-speed servo-feeding systems from Vamco and high-speed presses from Kyori.
For further information www.nidecpa.com

Atkin Automation, part of Group Rhodes, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as the UK and Ireland distributor for Taiwanese company Shung-Dar Industrial Co.

The company started working in partnership with Shung-Dar in 2008, and for the past decade Atkin Automation has been a distributor for Shung-Dar’s growing range of coil stamping and processing equipment for carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium processing plants. Today, the product portfolio includes automatic slitting lines, cut-to-length lines, combined lines and multi-blanking lines.
Geoff Barker, sales manager at Atkin Automation, says: “The relationship has been a success as our two businesses share the same values. Our mutual goal is to deliver high-quality products and services. We also focus on innovation and the use of technology, and ensure we take care of our skilled workforce.”
To mark the 10th anniversary of the successful distributorship, Shung Dar president Mr Yang, his son Jason and sales manager Shawn Yang (nephew), travelled to Wakefield, where the new Atkin premises is located. Speaking at the company after a presentation on Shung-Dar’s expanding product range, Yang said: “Over the past decade, both of our businesses have grown significantly and we have also developed our range to provide a complete smart press stamping line solution to steel and aluminium producers and stockholders.”
For further information www.grouprhodes.co.uk