Gulf Construction Online - Elumatec helps increase efficiency

Germany & the Middle East

Elumatec helps increase efficiency

01 March 2007

The profile machining centre SBZ 140 from Germany’s Elumatec, one of the leading manufacturers of fabrication equipment for aluminum and vinyl profiles, is increasingly being sought after in the building industry where the pressure is on to deliver on time and cut costs without sacrificing on quality.

“Our customers face ever-increasing pressure to meet productivity targets and therefore, as a world market leader, we have to offer innovations that enable the user to withstand the price pressure in the long term,” says Rutger Stuber, manager of the technical application department at Elumatec.
The SBZ 140 was created for extremely efficient and highly precise processing of aluminum and steel profiles. It increases its efficiency value by offering the opportunity to clamp and process up to four profiles and as the profile is not moved during processing, precision and gentle handling of its surface is self-evident.
Two separate working sections enable a continuous work-flow, making optimum use of machining time: whilst the profile is automatically processed in station one, the operator can unload the finished work piece from the second station, clean the working area and load the next work piece into the clamping system. Safety light barriers for both sections ensure the operator’s safety. When processing long sections, both working stations can be combined as one unit.
In the building sector – and, in particular, the high-volume window and door production field – it’s possible to further increase efficiency values: Both stations can be divided into two working areas (front and rear) so that a total of four profile lengths can be loaded.
The axis-controlled milling head is able to process the profile infinitely at any position between 0 and 180 degrees. Eight tools are available for milling, drilling, tapping, thread milling and notching.
The electronic-controlled and water-cooled HSC cutting spindle, with a power output of 6 kW, processes the work piece burr free and with high precision, at a speed of up to 22,000 rpm.
The use of the optional angle head enables processing of the ends between two parallel clamped profiles, thus reducing traveling distance.
“When working on long lengths of profile, speed is a decisive factor. Elumatec solves this problem with digitally-controlled direct drives on all axes, which enable precise positioning with a speed of up to 65 m/min,” says Stuber. The SBZ 140 is also able to machine profiles with a width of up to 650 mm, for example, for use in the automotive production of bus wheel housings or truck tailboards. The company also offers profile machining centers with working lengths of 3.2 m, 6.2 m, 7.7 m or 9.2 m as standard. These machines have also been produced in special lengths, for instance, for manufacturing sailing masts.
The clamps are fully automatically positioned, and are equipped with clamp recognition as standard in order to avoid crashes. Elumatec has designed extremely slim and solid clamping devices.
“Furthermore, the large clamping stroke of 100 mm minimizes change-over times as large and small profiles can be clamped with one single adjustment,” says Stuber.
The tool changer, which moves with the machining head, provides short tool change-over times, resulting in optimum processing cycles.
Easy operation is an important productivity factor, so the workspace on the SBZ 140 has been designed according to the latest ergonomic features. The 15-inch TFT colour screen, as well as the dust-proof keyboard, can be infinitely adjusted in height to suit the individual operator. A CD-ROM drive and 3.5-inch disk drive have been installed within easy reach.
Elumatec offers user-friendly programming by way of a graphic-supported platform under Windows.
“With just two days of training, it is possible to quickly create complex programs, whilst time-consuming CNC-programs in DIN code are a thing of the past,” he says. “The profile processing software has been developed by the Elumatec subsidiary Elusoft. With this program, manufacturing data can be transferred directly to the machine control, and connection to a production network under Windows is possible without difficulty. Upon request, Elusoft specialists will provide users with any support that might be needed at site.”
With over 75 years of experience and 40 offices around the world, including the UAE, Elumatec is well known as a leader in technology, innovation and quality throughout the industry.