With the introduction of its latest servo-hydraulic press, AP&T says it is offering short cycle times, high precision, low energy consumption and minimal need for maintenance in comparison with conventional hydraulic presses and many servo-mechanical presses.

Several technical solutions have helped AP&T’s designers combine high performance with low operating costs. First and foremost, the hydraulic system’s control valves have been replaced by servo motors, which means that speed, position and press force are entirely controlled electrically.
“The design has made it possible to limit the number of moving parts, cut down on oil volume, reduce pressure in the hydraulic system to a maximum of 250 bar and eliminate the effects of any variations in oil temperature,” says AP&T’s product manager for presses Patrik Haglund. “This lays the foundation for a very robust process with a high degree of availability and repeat accuracy, at the same time that the need for maintenance is substantially reduced.”
Energy consumption has also been streamlined by 40-70%, depending on the application. Here, the heat loss generated by pressure valves can be avoided, and some servo motors are used as generators at retardation. The cushion cylinder of the press is also operated by servo motors, which work as generators. Braking energy is distributed to the motors used for acceleration and forming through a kinetic storage system and a central direct current converter. Since the energy is stored internally in the press, it is not necessary to use electricity from the grid during peak loads, which results in a lower connection fee. Stored energy surpluses can also be restored to the grid.
For further information www.aptgroup.com

Swiss company Feintool has purchased Stanz- und LaserTechnik Jessen GmbH, and is now hoping to expand into the market for electric motor components, first in Europe and then globally.

The purchase agreement for the takeover was signed on 27 June 2018 and, subject to approval from the German Cartel Office, is expected to enter into force at the end of this month. All 200 employees in Jessen (Saxony-Anhalt) are taken over by Feintool. The turnover of Stanz- und LaserTechnik Jessen GmbH in 2017 was around €37m.
“We want to further expand our global and technological position, focusing on our market position in demanding applications in fine-blanking, forming, and now punching and laser cutting of electric motor components,” says Feintool CEO Knut Zimmer. “The technical expertise acquired through the acquisition will significantly advance Feintool’s global market penetration of electric motor components in Europe, the US and Asia, thereby massively investing in the long-term e-mobility market.”
With this acquisition, Feintool is strengthening its position as an automotive supplier and can now also offer its customers global solutions for electric motors, and for hybrid and internal combustion engines.
Andreas Güntsch, head of operations at Stanz- und LaserTechnik GmbH Jessen, says: “We are delighted to have Feintool as a strategic partner who will ensure the long-term security of the company against the backdrop of increasing market demands, the globalisation of our industry and the financing of growth.”
For further information www.feintool.com

Schuler will present its newly-developed servo press to the public for the first time at the EuroBLECH trade fair in Hanover on 23-26 October.

The 400 ton press, which is suitable for both progressive and transfer mode, can travel at an oscillating stroke of up to 70 strokes per minute thanks to the dynamic servo drives.
Schuler has designed the control of the machine in the style of an intuitive smartphone app: operators can select from predefined movement profiles or program them freely. This functionality significantly reduces the inhibition threshold for exploiting the machine’s potential. Thanks to the kinematics of the knuckle-joint drive, forming at the bottom dead centre is also slower in itself, which means that readjustment via the servo drive is not always necessary.
The ‘Smart Assist’ software guides the operator step-by-step through the set-up process, supported by small videos and text modules. In addition, the electronic assistant optimises the transfer and slide profiles to maximum output depending on the clearance profiles – a complex process that previously took a lot of time.
Schuler’s process monitor integrated in the control unit offers extensive monitoring options. Here, overload protection can be assured across the entire course of the press-force profile and the whole movement profile; a minimum and maximum force can be defined for effective protection of the die. Response times of the electronically designed overload protection device are in the range of a few milliseconds, which is faster than with a hydraulic overload protection device. The press can be used again immediately after an overload has been detected.
For further information www.schulergroup.com