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The trend toward manufacturing near-net-shape parts in the metalforming industry continues unabated. When it comes to the low-cost mass manufacturing of especially flat parts, knuckle-joint presses are always the first choice. With a modified drive, Schuler has now enlarged the area of application for this tried and trusted technology. By means of an increased slide stroke, it will also be possible to economically produce precision parts with greater heights in future.
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The limiting factor for the use of knuckle-joint presses to produce near-net-shape parts was previously the available space in the die mounting area of the press. The rule of thumb was: stroke height of the die mounting area divided by three equals maximum part height. With a modified knuckle-joint drive, Schuler subsidiary Gräbener Pressensysteme has now developed a unique solution which combines the benefits of the knuckle-joint press with the higher slide stroke of eccentric presses.
Quick-Lift creates more space in the mounting area
Named Quick-Lift,the new system provides up to 500 millimeters of additional slide stroke. The press performance is not affected, as it is purely a lifting stroke in the TDC area of the slide. With the aid of electric motors, a lever is swiveled to raise the slide in the load-free area. Thanks to the space gained, higher parts can now also be moved by the press transfer system through the die mounting area. For the forming operation itself, the slide movement corresponds to the tried and trusted technology. In this way, the benefits of knuckle-joint technology - such as the high rigidity of the overall system, accuracy and harmony of movement - remain unchanged. It is also possible, however, to carry out several steps on one press - such as drawing, bending, embossing, blanking and calibrating - and to combine them with each other. The result is excellent part quality, high output and maximum machine availability.
Greater range of use for automatic blanking and forming presses
The new drive concept considerably expands the range of use for Schuler''''s automatic blanking and forming presses. Whether for the automotive and electrical industries or other sectors: wherever ready-to-assemble parts with greater heights are required, these can now be manufactured far more economically. The initial customer response has confirmed the validity of the new concept. Schuler will already deliver the first press with the new drive in early 2008 to a manufacturer in Germany.
There will be a live presentation of the new system at an in-house fair on September 13 and 14, 2007 at our Netphen-Werthenbach facility in Germany. |
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