FEATURE ON SAWING

Kasto sets out digital and ecological credentials

Kasto, the German manufacturer of automated warehouses for storing and retrieving raw material, both long stock and sheet, and which also produces sawing machines for cutting it to size, has been enhancing the connectivity and operational efficiency of its equipment. Whether it is a stockholder or a manufacturing facility using the storage systems and/or sawing machines, they now benefit not only from higher productivity but also lower running costs through more economical use of electrical power. As an added bonus, more data is available to drive end-to-end decision-making, from order to delivery.

The company says its solutions ensure continuously controlled, intelligent material flow. Machines, systems, goods and load carriers communicate autonomously, enabling flexible, resource-efficient, economical storage and fabrication. In this way, users remain competitive despite the rising costs of energy and materials, while at the same time improving their ecological performance.

KASTOlogic is a modular warehouse management system (WMS) designed for bar and sheet metal storage requirements. The software enables users to manage and monitor not only processes in the warehouse itself, but also upstream and downstream operations. It is also possible to integrate manually operated storage areas into the system using the mobile app.

KASTOenergysave is an energy recovery concept developed for automated storage systems. It enables excess potential or kinetic energy to be converted into electrical power, which is stored in double-layer capacitors for later use.

During sawing operations, users face the challenge of making the best use of stock and avoiding waste to lower material consumption and costs. The KASTOoptisaw software module optimises the assignment of long stock to every cutting order, taking into account the parameters of the various sawing machines. KASTOapp provides a status overview of all sawing machines in the system.

For further information www.kasto.com

Comparing a cold saw to a chop saw 

Although sometimes (and erroneously) used interchangeably, coldsaws and chop saws are two distinct tools that work in different ways. Dimakin provides a guide to their differences and examines their capabilities.

A cold saw offers precision and efficiency. Unlike some saws, it operates at lower speeds, producing minimal heat during cutting. This characteristic sets it apart from its counterpart, the chop saw.

Coldsaws house a high-torque, low-speedmotor and a circular blade. The blades featurehigh-speed steel (HSS) or sometimes carbide teeth, designed for durability and clean, burr-free cuts. Coldsaws typically have adjustable cutting angles, called a mitre, which allow for versatile cutting, making them suitable for both straight and angled cuts. Some models, including all Dimakin models, also feature built-in coolant systems to keep the blade and workpiece cool during operation.

In contrast to coldsaws, chop saws operate at higher speeds and generate more heat during cutting. They are commonly used for rougher cuts in materials like wood, plastic and metal.

The primary distinction between a coldsaw and a chop saw lies in their cutting method. As mentioned, coldsaws use toothed, high-quality blades and low speed to cut materials. However, chop saws employ abrasive discs that effectively grind through material at high speed. This fundamental difference leads to variations in both performance and application.

When selecting a cold saw, Dimakin recommends considering factors such as blade type, cutting capacity and durability.Investing in a high-quality coldsaw that suits a company’s specific needs can greatly enhance cutting efficiency and precision.

For further information www.dimakin.co.uk

Stockholder invests in Ficep Valiant CNC line




Northwest-based steel stockholder CSM Steelstock has invested in a Ficep Valiant CNC line to extend its capabilities and further meet customer requirements.Supplying into the automotive, gas, oil and petrochemical industries, CSM Steelstock predicts that the Valiant CNC line from Ficep UK will add £4.5m to annual turnover at the Accrington business.

Says CSM Steelstock’s managing director Grant Moore: “Our investment in the Ficep Valiant CNC line will be a game changer for our business. We’ll be able to offer our existing customers more capabilities and help us further develop lasting partnerships. It will be running 80 hours a week and we already have a strong forward order book using the new line. We’vegrown year on year for the past 13 years and recently invested in new premises which, when redeveloped, will house our 21 employees and machinery in the 32,000 sq ft facility.”

The Ficep Valiant is a high-performance automated three-spindle drilling system for processing structural steel profiles. Offering six tool-change positions on each of the machine’s three spindles, the Valiant’s total tool capacity is 18. Its spindles are all direct drive with speeds up to 5000 rpm, while utilising HSK 80 tool holders enables heavy milling functionality.Notably, the 300mm auxiliary axis, which is available on all three spindles, allows for a wider range of control for each spindle. Its sub-axis spindle positioning enables simultaneous drilling on all three surfaces. The optional underside scribing device, also with sub-axis positioning, permits up to four-side simultaneous scribing operations.

Says Chris Berriman, Ficep UK sales director: “The Valiant is an ideal choice for CSM Steelstock as it will allow them to process to the high quality that its customers expect.”
For further information www.ficep.co.uk

XTR bridges gap between bi-metal and carbide




Bi-metal and carbide are two commonly used types of bandsaw blades for cutting a wide range of materials. Most know bi-metal blades for their versatility and cost-effectiveness, which makes them a popular choice. On the other hand, carbide bandsaw blades are highly durable and best suited for cutting materials that are extremely hard or abrasive.Transitioning from bi-metal to carbide can be a significant leap for many end users due to the required investments in machinery and in the saw itself.

The Starrett XTR is an innovative bi-metal saw that offers an intermediate option between traditional bi-metal and carbide technology. This solution is specifically for cutting high-alloy steels and other difficult-to-cut materials in larger dimensions.

Designed to give improved performance, Starrett made the technology possible through a combination of state-of-the-art software and specialist expertise. XTR technology is now part of the company’s main products, Intenss PRO M42 and Primalloy M51, which cut solid materials in both series production and bundles. This new addition allows Starrett products to provide high-quality results while improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared with carbide solutions.

Starrett applies a special treatment to its XTR blades, guaranteeing high fatigue resistance in addition to their exclusive tooth profile design. These innovations significantly increase the life of the product, providing more speed and quality in their work, and delivering greater cost benefits for extreme process cutting.

By utilising XTR blades, Starrett says users alsoenjoy reduced vibration and quieter cutting processes. The unique tooth profile and setting also enhance durability, extending product lifespan and allowing for more cutting operations. This leads to a decrease in cost per operation over time.
For further information www.starrett.co.uk

Addison Saws reports from TIMTOS 2023




The Taiwan International Machine Tool Show, better known as TIMTOS, has been a go-to event for major players in the global machine tool industry for over 30 years.The recently concluded 30th edition of TIMTOS continued this legacy, attracting over a thousand exhibitors and 45,000 visitors from all around the world.

Addison Saws sent its recently appointed managing director Chris Wilson and the company’s sales team to the much-anticipated event. The whole team was eager to visit some of the company’sprincipals, learn aboutthe latest innovations and look for new suppliers.

Addison had a trio ofmajor suppliers exhibiting at the show, including Everising Saws, which is one of Addison’s longest-serving principals. Indeed, the company celebrated 40 years of trading during TIMTOS,an achievement the Addison team was keen to show its support for, having enjoyed a fruitful business relationship for nearly four decades. Among the stand-out products were two brand-new sawing machines, the VH-5060 vertical block and plate saw, and the CSP-0806 slab circular saw.
In line with the 2023 show’s theme, Everising filled its stand with high-tech sawing solutions, putting the E350 high-speed, high-performance CNC bandsaw in the spotlight along with the ultra-high speed P75-ILA carbide billet sawing system. Of course, no exhibition would be complete without Everising’s sought-after horizontal bandsaws, which were also on show.
Talking about expandingits range of metal cutting saws with additional suppliers, Wilson says: “We’ve been working hard to ensure that we select the right suppliers, growing our product range to meet the needs of customers and the manufacturing industry at large. After extensive research and some great meetings at TIMTOS we’re happy to say we found several new suppliers, so watch this space!”
For further information www.addisonsaws.co.uk