Page 12 - MetalForming September 2019

Tech Update
New Furnace Enables High-Temp. Treatment of Larger Material
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA has installed a new, 14-ft.-long car-bottom air furnace capable of handling workloads to 30,000 lb. A 1400 F maximum operating temperature allows the furnace to accommodate tempering of large tool steel components, as well as age hardening of nickel-based alloys and precipitation hardenable stainless steels.
The furnace, surveyed in accordance with AMS2750 Rev E and uniform within ±10 F (per Class 2 specs.), features a work zone measuring 60 by 54 by 168 in.
“This new air-tempering furnace will be a good complement to its larger counterpart, a recently installed 20-ft.-long car-bottom furnace,” says Bob Hill, company president. “Expanding our large-air-furnace capability will enhance the turnaround for our raw material customers, and is more cost-effective than processing in a vacuum environment.” Solar Atmospheres of Western PA: www.solaratm.com
New Lubricant-Recycling Systems for Trans-Matic
Industrial Innovations has provided four Reclaim- Pro MSR lubrication, reclamation and recycling systems to metal stamper Trans-Matic, for use at
its Holland, MI, facility. These systems, which allow manufacturers to reduce lubricant use and cost, rely upon coalescing plate separators to separate
oil from coolant or water by utilizing the buoyancy of the oil droplets. The coolant flow carries
the droplets into the modules where they
rise to the underside of the coalescing
plates and are captured for removal. These systems also filter dirt particles and eliminate tramp oils, thus enabling lubricant to be reused. This approach eliminates disposal issues as no absorbents are used in the process. To ease maintenance, the systems can be cleaned in place.
Industrial Innovations: www.industrialinnovations.com
Friction Cups Grip Slippery Materials
New from Piab, DuraFlex friction cups, a line of suction cups designed to provide grip on oily and wet surfaces. A special grip pattern enables operators to safely and reliably move slippery metal goods without slowing production lines, and allows manufacturers to reduce product droppage and lower scrap rates.
The cups feature a rough cleat surface and sharp cleat edges and channels. This design creates greater friction and a stronger hold compared to traditional- traction suction cups, according to company officials, noting that normal cup abrasion resulting from handling oily sheets does not degrade the shear-force performance of Piab’s friction cups over time, translating to longer cup life.
The cups reportedly maintain their hold on heavy and slippery sheets during accelerations and de-accelerations, espe- cially in cases of emergency stoppage. All parts are maintained in the proper position to facilitate applications such as stamping, reducing scrapped products and improving overall line sustainability. Made of DuraFlex polyurethane, the cups will not break or crack after exposure to ultraviolet light, heat or ozone, which is an issue with cups comprised of rubber compounds, claim Piab officials.
To prevent surface damage on thin metal sheets common in automotive and large-appliance applications, the cups feature a dual-hardness design and soft cup body. Sealing the cups to part surfaces requires lower vacuum force than with other types of cups, meaning gentler han- dling. Also, the soft cup lips mold easily to curved surfaces, resulting in less vacuum leakage and stronger grip.
The cups also maintain their elastic memory and original shape for an expanded
10 MetalForming/September 2019
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