Page 24 - MetalForming September 2014

Atlas equipped its new 165-ton press with magnetic clamping for the upper and adjustable mechanical clamps for the lower. The Link light curtain horizontal remote segments were added to safeguard the setup person when loading tools or during press operation. Controls for the magnetic clamps were installed immediately below the operator control for convenience. With the lower tool clamped (shown), the press closes and magnetic clamping of the upper tool occurs—in 6-8 sec.
Rapid Die Changes
Along with a new 165-ton gap-frame press came a new approach to achieving quicker die changes, featuring magnetic clamps on the upper tools and mechanical clamps for the lowers. Results have been impressive.
In one part of its company, Atlas Manufacturing, Minneapolis, MN, had moved into the future. Now Atlas President Mark Engel needed another part of his company to take the next step.
Atlas, a precision sheetmetal fabri- cator and stamper, recently added new
Todd Wenzel is president, TCR Integrat- ed Stamping Systems, Wisconsin Rapids, WI: 800/676-2240; www.tcr-inc.com.
BY TODD WENZEL
laser and CNC punch machines to upgrade its fabrication department. In the stamping department, Engel’s focus shifted, in 2012, to minimizing the company’s die-change times to become more nimble and flexible. That goal complemented well other goals in the pressroom, including updating the company’s press technology. A more accurate press with features such as hydraulic overload, powered shut height with accurate display, variable
speed and a wet clutch all were on the wish list.
But the ability to rapidly change tooling clearly stood front and center. “We need to be ready to respond if a customer calls with a line down or has an unexpected surge in business,”
Engel says.
Engel and his team found solutions
to its press needs and to enable more rapid die changes when visiting MET- ALFORM and FABTECH in Las Vegas in
22 MetalForming/September 2014
www.metalformingmagazine.com