Page 9 - MetalForming February 2020

Fagor Arrasate earned this project after the installation of two productive hot stamping lines at another of the com- pany’s plants, according to Fagor Arrasate officials. These lines, fully automated in both loading of forms and stacking of parts, also contain parallel ovens for heat- ing blanks. A Fagor LR3-120 feeder in each line allows rapid transportation of the hot blanks to the die. A shuttle and three Kuka robots automatically place the newly stamped parts in the stacking containers. An additional output belt allows for part inspection.
Fagor Arrasate: www.fagorarrasate.com
Stiffer Carbon-Fiber T-Boom Tooling
Bilsing Automation has introduced enhanced carbon-fiber T-boom tooling, which includes a 15-percent increase in carbon-fiber stiffness as well as modifi- cations to the profile for easier joining via the company’s special fastening tech- nology. Improved tool stiffness results in less vibration and deflection, thus improved speed and precision, according to company officials. The booms are well-suited for pressroom and stamping applications,
including hot forming, as well as assembly, plastic injection molding and more.
In independent laboratory tests com- paring compression-loaded steel, aluminum and carbon fiber at 1 million cycles with approximately 350 lb. of tension force, Bilsing carbon-fiber booms reportedly proved to be lighter and more robust than aluminum, yet stronger than steel booms of the same size. As a result, switching from metal booms to carbon fiber tooling, according to Bilsing officials, enables manufacturers to improve production
rates by as much as 20 percent.
The company’s fastening methodology for its T-booms marries the carbon-fiber structure at the joints first with an adhesive and then reinforces it with steel bolts through the core. This reportedly results in a joint that is as strong as a steel weld while lowering manufacturing costs. And, modular design of the tooling allows
users to change out components easily instead of having to replace the entire unit should a component break or require replacement.
The T-booms are compatible with a variety of standard vacuum, gripper and power-clamp components.
Bilsing Automation: www.bilsing-automation.com
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