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Drill saw line back-to-back
One of the greatest leaps forward in automatic structural steel processing was the introduction of the back-to-back drill/saw combination layout. Stand-alone automated CNC drilling and sawing machines have existed for a while, but placing the machines back-to-back provides many advantages like increased productivity, efficiency and accuracy.
Drill holes and saw profiles in the same production line
The most obvious advantage of a back-to-back (or close-coupled) drill/saw line is increased efficiency and productivity. The entire raw profile only needs to be measured once, processing in one operation and increasing throughput. The exact specifications on both machines are known and communicated with the control software, which also can take into account the saw blade thickness and distance between the saw blade and drill for absolute precision. Operations are ordered to produce the highest productivity and shortest movement paths during processing. Finished products can be sorted based on length, product name or further processing requirements.
One infeed and outfeed
Another advantage of a back-to-back drill/saw line is a reduced footprint in your factory and direct material routing. With only one infeed and outfeed that both machines use, logistics are simpler in your workshop with only one loading and one unloading position, limiting the use of the crane or forklift.
INTEGRATION IN YOUR WORKSHOP
The fastest measuring and transportation system for profiles in the market
The Voortman roller feed measuring system uses two feeder rolls to move material. Two measurement wheels are installed to accurately track the profile's position. Feeder rolls are often used because of the required space and the flexibility when integrated into a larger system. With a measuring roll system, it is also possible to load a new profile once the first profile has passed the edge of the cross transports.
Since a feeder roll does not have a rail, it is possible to feed into the machine from two sides. With Voortman, you have a choice in measurement systems, making it possible to tailor the system to the characteristics of your production database.
A strong and robust servo driven gripper truck for processing many small products
Voortman also offers a strong and robust servo driven gripper truck. This truck is the fastest truck available, adapting its velocity dynamically to the profile's total weight. This makes the truck more agile and safe for the operator. The feeder truck holds the material with a wide clamp, which is rotated automatically when the geometry of the profile demands. This measuring system is capable of moving even the heaviest profiles without losing its stability.
The gripper truck can be combined with the VB beam sawing machine - often with an automatic Short Product Removal System (SPRS) where the gripper clamps all products up to 1.400 mm (4-1/2'). during cutting, and then short products are transported sideways. With the SPRS and the gripper truck, the drill and saw become fully autonomous with clean cuts automatically dropped into a separate bin. Just start your latest production run before you close the factory for the night and arrive in the morning with all products processed and sorted on the outfeed cross transports.
An integral plan to keep your production line safe and up and running
After installing a machine or production line, Voortman installs a net of safety measures. These safety measures comprise of light curtains, emergency cords and emergency stop buttons. Voortman has made it one of its priorities to deliver a safe production line, yet not hold up production if the operator needs to enter the safe zone. This is accomplished by using gated light curtains allowing loading and unloading while the machines continue processing, and by delivering remote controls with a kill switch that operators can use when carrying out tasks inside the safety zone.