Page 24 - MetalForming November 2019

FABRICATION
Today’s fabricating technology promises the ability to produce high-quality components job after job, in a variety of applications. And, in each issue, MetalForming is committed to informing you on how fabrication equipment delivers.
This month, we explore how waterjet cutting provides the solution on two huge bridge projects and for custom architectural work. Also, two fabricators employ punching- machine tooling to eliminate productivity-draining nibbling and spot welding. Speaking of punching-machine tooling, did you know that such tooling provides alternatives to using laser cutting machines and press brakes?
And, MetalForming’s Welding Well takes a look at how capacitive discharge (CD) resistance welding can be applied to weld fasteners to hot-stamped steel.
Contents
22 News&Technology
26 RestoringandBuilding Bridges via Waterjet Cutting
28 Waterjet Makes the Cut
for Architectural Customers
29 Punching Their Way to Greater Productivity
30 Respect the Punch
32 ResistanceWelding— A Fastening Option for Hot Stamping
News & Technology
AI-Powered Pipe-Welding System Incorporates Cobot
Arc Specialties has solved the challenge of creating repeatable full-penetration pipe welds by combining artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and the six- axis UR5 collaborative robot (cobot) arm from Universal Robots into its new Artificial Intelligence Pipe Welding (AIPW) system.
“With the welding industry fac-
ing labor shortages, we decided
to develop an intelligent machine
with complete knowledge of pipe
welding, with full motion and weld-
ing control,” says Dan Allford, president of Arc Specialties. “The UR5 is small enough to be portable yet still allows full freedom of motion for both the laser scanner and welding torch. Being collaborative, the robot is able to safely work in close proximity to humans.”
In operation, the AIPW pre-scans the root opening (gap) using a 2D laser, then uses the data to generate the robot path and welding parameters. Gap variations are compensated for with changes in oscillation, torch position, travel speed and welding conditions. The UR5 positions the torch over a tack weld to start the arc to ensure 100- percent root-weld acceptance. Fill and cap pass programs are optimized to fill the groove using user selectable weave or stringer bead welding techniques. The AIPW uses the Miller Auto Continuum welding power supply to weld the root with Miller’s Regulated Metal Deposition technology, then switches to pulsed spray for the fill and cap passes. This combination of techniques maximizes welding productivity while producing X-ray- quality, full-penetration pipe welds, according to Arc Specialties officials.
Universal Robots: www.universal-robots.com
Arc Specialties: www.arcspecialties.com
New Line of Flap Wheels, Specialty Abrasives and More
Saint-Gobain Abrasives has introduced Norton Merit Pink R928, described by company officials as a better tier of flap wheels and specialty abrasives, including cartridge/spiral rolls and square/cross pads that feature a superior ceramic grain for greater efficiency when beveling, blending, cleaning/detailing, deburring and finishing stainless steel and other hard-to-grind materials. A variety of mounted points feature Norton 86A aluminum-oxide abrasives, providing a combination of friability and form holding. For hard-to-reach applications, a poly-cotton backing adds more durability compared to traditional cotton-backed products, report company officials, noting that due to a coating on the grain/bond that reduces friction for improved grain-holding ability, the R928 line cuts cooler and faster on hard-to-grind materials.
The new flap wheels feature an improved resin bond system that reportedly extends wheel life and reduces changeover downtime. Offerings include threaded versions, designed for polishing and finishing intricate surfaces, and shank-mounted flap wheels for demanding applications such as heavy-stock removal.
22 MetalForming/November 2019
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