A servo-electric, 200kN turret punch press has a sheet metal nibbling speed of 800 hits/min at 1mm pitch as well as having lower maintenance costs

Finn-Power has developed a CNC servo-electric turret punch press, which will be launched in the UK at MACH 2008 on the stand of sales and service agent, Press and Shear Machinery of Tamworth. Designated E5, the machine has a sheet capacity of 2530 x 1270mm without repositioning. It is the smallest of three punch presses in a new range that complements the manufacturer's current E-series of presses and laser/press combinations.


* Power economy - the latest machines employ regenerative braking to save power.

Energy derived from axis deceleration is stored in capacitors and used to accelerate the next movement.

Power is saved, reducing electricity bills.

Peak power consumption is lower, which can avoid the user having to upgrade the factory supply.

* High punching speed - continuous development has seen significant advances in punching speed and functionality as well as lower noise levels during operation.

At 1mm pitch, maximum nibbling speed is now 800 hits/min - that is over 13 strokes/s.

Lower maintenance costs result from centralised lubrication, cooling of the control cabinet and elimination of oil filters and valves.

* Servo-controlled punching stroke - the electronic, servo-controlled punching stroke is a CNC axis that is controllable to a high degree of precision.

Horizontal movement is translated into downward vertical movement of the ram by a roller and cam arrangement, with pneumatically actuated return.

By programming the roller's linear position, ram stroke can be very tightly controlled to achieve accurate down-forming.

Through the mechanical advantage achieved by the cam design, punching force up to 200kN (20 tonf) is delivered.

Optionally, 300kN (30 tonf) punching force is available, which can be retrofitted after machine purchase.

The same control technology is applied to the optional up-forming station, which uses a servo-operated ram in the lower frame of the machine to lift the die up towards the tool.

Compared with down-forming where the die has to be slightly proud of the lower turret surface, the up-forming die can be parked below the worktable surface, so there is no risk of scratching the sheet during punching and nibbling.

Moreover, greater forming height clearance is provided, up to 16mm inclusive of sheet thickness, than is possible when down-forming.

* Progressive forming/bending - the positions of consecutive forming strokes can be programmed individually, so progressive forming or bending is easy to perform.

An indexable forming system is available for achieving complex results with standard forming tools, keeping turret stations free and avoiding the expense of special tools.

Further developments enable increased versatility by deploying a Wilson Wheel or Mate Rollerball either in an indexing station in the turret or in an up-forming station.

Software commands allow formed features that vary in height along their length.

* Machine structure - Finn-Power's traditional, rugged 'O' frame supports upper and lower turret plates that are machined as a set to eliminate flexing and yawing.

On the conventional punch tooling side, thick turret-type tools are used at all 20 stations in a customer-specific layout that can deploy up to 200 tools in total if indexable and static multi-tools are included at 10 positions.

The full tonnage can be used at all stations and with any size of tool.

* Automatic setting of tool length - an ingenious 'learning' system for automatic setting of tool length has been developed whereby when a new or re-sharpened tool is placed in the machine, its length is initially set to zero.

When the tool is first used, it automatically stops on sheet contact and its length is accurately recorded.

Finn-Power's Intelligent Stroke Control then takes over control of the tool stroke setting, according to the material being processed.

The CNC system is Siemens' Sinumerik 840D, including an Ethernet connection and fast NC program download as standard.

* Component handling - unloading of components is efficiently achieved by placing them at a freely programmable location on the table.

Parts up to 500 x 500mm can fall via an optional work chute into a container below, with the further option of parts detection and a three-address sorting device.

Various combinations of Compact Express equipment are available to automate either sheet loading, component unload, or both.

Finn-Power's Windows-based PowerLink software supports unattended running up to full lights-out production.

Available also in the same machine series is the Finn-Power E6, with a sheet capacity of 3074 x 1542mm without repositioning.

It too can be specified with either 200 kN or 300 kN punching force.

* Press and Shear Machinery at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Stand 4867.



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