Subcontract fabricator reports that its Safan programmable, automated guillotine has improved cycle times by 30% and halved the amount of labour involved.

Rapier Precision Sheet Metal, a progressive precision fabricator based in Teddington, Middlesex, UK had had a Safan guillotine for the past 16 years without any reliability issues So when the time arrived to review the company's shearing capability, joint-owner, Colin Naylor, said he had had no hesitation in considering Safan again He explained: "We've had a relationship with Webster Machinery (southern area distributor for Safan since 1978) and Safan since the company was established in 1988.

There have been various Safan models here over the past 20 years and our experience of their performance and quality has been good.

And the same can be said of the support we've received".

The Safan M-Shear was selected, which has an advanced hybrid drive for the cutting beam that consists of a servo-electronic motor and hydraulic pump.

Fundamentally different from competitor machines, said Safan, this energy-saving innovation only draws current when the cutting beam is in motion.

The M-Shear also features the following.

* A programmable starting position for the cutting beam (to ensure even wear along the entire length of the blade).

* Automatic X-axis compensation when adjusting clearance.

* Touch-screen control for data management of the cutting programs.

"We wanted to take a step up with our guillotine technology," informed Naylor.

"Although there was nothing wrong with our existing machine, it was a manual model and had no sheet supports.

This often meant that shearing was a two-man job".

He continued: "Furthermore, unlike the M-Shear, there was no 'return-to-sender' functionality.

Cut blanks simply dropped down at the rear of the machine.

If the parts required a further cut, they would need collecting and returning to the front of the machine".

* Handling larger blank sizes efficiently - the Safan M-Shear features an optional pneumatic sheet support system to provide assistance with larger blank sizes, ensuring they can be positioned easily against the back-gauge.

This can be further equipped with a 'return-to-sender' function that ensures cut blanks are returned to the shear table at the front of the machine, saving time and preventing potential damage.

"This was crucial in our purchase decision as a prestige finish is paramount to many of the contracts we undertake, an increasing amount of which specify 1.2 or 1.5mm thick stainless steel," explained Naylor.

"The guillotine is the first operation on the process sheet and so it sets the standard for component production".

Capable of performing 2500mm long cuts in 4mm thick material, Rapier Precision typically puts its new M-Shear to work processing 0.7 to 3mm thick sheets, although the company has also used the machine to successfully shear 0.3mm brass, a task with which many competitor machines may struggle.

Batch sizes at the company vary tremendously, but typically range from 50-200.

Around 50% of the M-Shear's throughput is 'cut-to-size' blanks, with the remainder constituting sheared material to suit the company's CNC turret punch press.

Rapier Precision fulfils a wide range of jobs for a host of industry sectors, many with high surface finish requirements.

Among the current contracts are components for lighting arrays, medical equipment, fire protection systems and high-tech entry/security barriers for entrance halls in banks and financial institutions.

"We use our new M-Shear as a full production machine, rather than just jobbing equipment and there is no need to tie up an expensive machine such as our punch press with tasks such as cutting sheets to size," said Naylor.

"Also, the crisp, clean finish of a guillotine cut is superior to that of a turret punch, which will leave 'witness' marks".

* Productivity benefits - about productivity benefits provided by the new Safan M-Shear, Naylor isaid: "Because of the speed of the machine, its repeatability and the ease of set-up, I would estimate that throughput times for shearing have improved by 25-30%.

Furthermore, it is now a one-man operation and precision has improved dramatically.

Since it was installed in June 2007 the blades have remained sharp and there has been no drifting on accuracy whatsoever".

Independent left and right clearance adjustment with built-in measuring sensor is standard on the Safan M-Shear.

Accuracy is +/-0.01mm.

Owing to its special frame construction, clearance is self-compensating so that, even with a load in the middle of the shear, the clearance remains constant over the entire length.

Maximum ease of operation is provided by the Windows-based TS200 touch screen control, which offers three setting levels: simple manual operation, extended manual operation and CNC operation with extensive program storage capacity.

"The relationship between Rapier Precision, Webster Machinery and Safan has again proved successful," concluded Naylor, "And we look forward to this continuing in the years ahead.". 

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/sfk/sfk101.html

For more information visit CNC Programming category