High-speed disc saws for forged material

The world of forging is highly intricate, involving numerous applications and constant evolution. Ficep says its caters to this sector with a range of machinery designed to meet all production needs: including an array of high-speed disc saws. These machines are suitable for many applications, particularly those requiring the cutting of bars, tubes, ingots or blooms. 

The ‘S’ series sawing machines include various models: horizontal, inclined and vertical saws, with cutting capabilities from below or above. All these machines can cut round and square solid bars, while vertical ones can also cut rectangular/flat bars.

Vincenzo Rubat Baleuri, sales manager of the forging division at Ficep, says: “Our machines guarantee repeatability, cutting precision, squareness and regularity of the sawn surface. This high standard is a real strength, achieved through careful design, optimal blade guidance and robust motor power.”

The ‘SP’ series stands out for its high-speed cutting of pipes.

“This range has been designed with special attention to sizing the crucial components to minimize blade vibrations,” he adds. “Special care has been given to fine-tuning the software managing the cutting parameters during the work cycle. This involves dynamically adjusting the blade rotation speed and the head feed during the pipe’s inlet-outlet phase, where the metal section engaged by the blade is greater compared with the central part [where thickness is minimal]. This also reduces cutting time. Our lines overcome the limitations of traditional disc or band saws, increasing productivity through their speed, precision, cut quality and reduction of production waste.”

Ficep can also combine its range of bar loaders with both automatic magazines and AGV shuttles for laser-guided transfer of bar bundles from steel stock to the machine roller-way.

More information https://ficepgroup.com

Tube stockholder remains loyal to Kasto

Sawing equipment manufactured by German company Kasto has been used by Austrian tube stockholder Karl Mertl Handelsges in Schwechat since 1970, when it installed an EBS 400 U hacksaw that is still in use today for maintenance and repair. The company is currently managed by the third and fourth generations of the Gruscher family, with both daughters active in management, as well as son-in-law Jürgen Spannraft, who has been CEO since 2019.

In a 30,000 m² warehouse, the 90-employee stockholder stores 8000 tonnes of steel tube, which is mainly 7 m long, from 3 to 660 mm in diameter and of wall thickness from 0.5 to 100 mm. Kasto bandsaws and a modern hacksaw cut the stock to length for delivery to customers throughout Europe.

When an old manual storage system with 1012 cassettes was bursting at the seams, Mertl built a new warehouse and installed a Kasto Unicompact automated honeycomb storage system equipped with 2633 cassettes and served by an overhead gantry crane. Additionally, extra automatic bandsaws provided increased cutting capacity and efficiency. The system is connected to Mertl’s ERP system so that orders may be processed without human intervention.

“It was not a difficult decision to opt for Kasto for this round of investment,” recalls Marie Gruscher. “By then, we were already familiar with the quality of the products and service. Kasto’s recommended solution was also the best fit for our requirements and we were able to connect it seamlessly to our packaging machine.”

She adds that the new facility not only provides increased storage but also better operational safety, as goods come to the person and not the other way around.

More information www.kasto.com

Better productivity and safety with automation

In the steel construction realm, efficiency and automation stand as cornerstones for achieving top-tier quality standards promptly and reliably. Ficep, a global specialist in automated steel processing, meets these imperatives through its integrated solution featuring the Valiant drilling unit and the Katana bandsaw.

The Valiant + Katana system shines particularly bright in its swift process execution, empowered by automation and technology. This amalgamated approach reduces total processing time, outperforming scenarios reliant on specialist labour for finishing stages.

The process maintains a high level of control and predictability, aiding in streamlined production planning. With Valiant, processes such as drilling, automatic marking and milling operations come into play, leaving only welding ahead of the final painting phase. On the cutting front, Katana enables operators to execute both straight and mitred cuts up to 60° quickly.

These saws boast construction features tailored for high-speed performance, while upholding stringent cutting quality standards. Horizontal and vertical hydraulic clamps maximise workpiece stability, while robust motor power and bandsaw blade rotation speeds ensure efficient operations. Automated handling phases further enhance productivity.

The production momentum of this integrated system hinges on Ficep’s direct-drive spindles, channelling 100% of the motor power to the tool.

Notably, the integrated system’s installation stands out for its simplicity, requiring no expensive civil works. This translates to significant time and cost savings for customers, enabling quick production commencement and minimising downtime.

The Valiant + Katana system’s most significant advantage lies in its potential for full automation. With remote control via a mobile app, operators can monitor and manage the system from anywhere, optimising production efficiency even beyond regular working hours and during downtimes.

More information www.ficepgroup.com

Understanding bandsaw down-feed systems

When delving into the world of bandsaw machinery, a fundamental aspect to grasp is the relationship between the saw bow’s descent speed, the applied pressure and the resistance offered by the workpiece. This understanding is crucial for optimal operation and precise cutting, as a guide produced by Saws UK sets out.

Investing in a high-end bandsaw brings notable advantages, especially with sophisticated down-feed systems designed to fully harness the capabilities of the latest bi-metal and carbide-tipped blades. These enhancements substantially boost productivity. 

Down-feed regulation systems in bandsaws vary significantly. Some are straightforward, featuring an adjustable hydraulic valve in the guide system that responds to material resistance. More advanced systems include load detection on the blade drive motor, integrating an interface with a proportional down-feed valve in the hydraulics. Additionally, some machines employ a ball screw system connected to the interface for down-feed control. 

A pivotal feature in some bandsaws is blade deflection detection. This technology automatically slows the down feed to prevent crooked cuts when the blade begins to dull towards the end of its lifespan. 

Modern control systems often include a material directory, enabling operators to set reasonable down-feed rates based on workpiece size. However, this requires accurate data input and may not account for the annealed state of the material, where load detection systems can provide additional guidance during challenging cuts. 

The question arises: can a company justify spending up to £100,000 more for a bandsaw that fundamentally performs the same task? The answer lies in evaluating several factors, including expected service life, precision of cut, ease of use and speed of cut. Saws UK can provide advice in line with customer-specific applications.

More information www.sawsuk.com

How to maximise efficiency with cold saws

Cold saws are essential tools for numerous businesses needing clean, burr-free cuts on various metals. They also find widespread use in general fabrication and machine shops, as well as in structural steel fabrication, HVAC, automotive repair and shipbuilding. Cold saws offer a dependable and efficient method for cutting different solid and hollow metal sections. Dimakin offers a guide (tips and tricks) for improving the performance of cold saws.

It is important to consider the blade tooth count relative to the workpiece material. For example, if using too fine a blade for soft materials, the blade’s gullets will quickly clog, eliminating the machine’s ability to cut effectively.

For those likely to cut multiple materials or profiles over the machine’s lifetime, it might be worth considering a cold saw with the ability to vary speeds. Cold saws such as the CS-350-DM are ideal with their speed inverter dial, allowing infinite adjustment between 24 and 120 rpm. Another tip is to use the coolant system during operation. Coolant lubricates the blade, reduces heat build-up, improves cut quality and extends blade life.

A further important factor in cutting is clamping. Without securing material tightly, no blade will ever be able to achieve a good quality cut. Regular blade sharpening is a further contributor to optimal cutting performance. Dimakin not only offers brand new blades, but a blade resharpening service tool. Last but not least, it is important to maintain a clean a clean work area in and around the cold saw for cut quality. Regularly remove metal chips and debris to prevent them from hindering the cutting process or damaging the saw.

Dimakin offers a comprehensive line of cold saws, from basic single-speed models to feature-packed inverter-driven options with variable speeds.

More information www.dimakin.co.uk