Page 10 - MetalForming November 2010

TechUpdate
Upgraded Cradle-Straightener-Feeder
Coe Press Equipment, Sterling Heights, MI, introduces its latest compact cradle- straightener-feeders featuring an improved material-threading process and a hydraulic pilot-release mechanism to optimize press-feed- ing accuracy. The units prove ideal for medi- um- to heavy-gauge applications (0.040 to 0.375 in.) in space-constrained areas. They uncoil material by holding the coil’s OD while accurately indexing the material to the press with a combi-
nation piloting straightener-feeder. Where traditional units unwind the coil from the bottom, Coe’s design unwinds from the top, producing a small slack loop for improved performance. The unit’s hydraulic pilot release effectively releases the feeding and straightening rolls, compared to traditional models that do not effectively raise the straight- ening rolls. Models are available for processing coils to 60 in. wide, 63-in. OD, and weigh-
ing as much as 20,000 lb.
Standard features include two driven coil-support rollers, two exit pinch rolls (3.93-
in. dia.) and seven straightening rolls (3.93-in. dia.), all synchronously driven. Also standard is hydraulic opening/closing of the alligator-style straightening head for mate- rial threading and roll cleaning, a holddown arm with a motorized end wheel, and a snubber/peeler for hands-free material threading.
Coe Press Equipment: 586/979-4400; www.cpec.com
Mad About Metal
San Francisco architects recently teamed with a sheetmetal fabricator to punch, laser cut and bend their visions into reality. Two years ago, the archi- tectural firm NC2 designed a Studio City apartment complex featuring custom woven-wood balcony railings. When the customer said its budget wouldn’t allow for wood railings, and suggested using standard welded pipe railings instead, the architects balked.
“Our railing design was a key aes- thetic component of the entire proj- ect,” says NC2 president Russ Naylor. Rather than abandon the woven-pat- tern railing design, NC2 opted to create their design in sheetmetal. In fact, the firm has since found that by manipu- lating a flat sheet of metal, it can pro- duce an aesthetically superior product for less than the cost of traditional pipe railings, while still allowing the design- er to customize patterns.
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8 METALFORMING / NOVEMBER 2010
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