Production downtimes in continuously running strip processing lines due to an unforeseen shear blade change do not only involve high costs, but also considerable additional work. Unplanned rework, loss of quality, high quantities of scrap and dissatisfaction are the result. For these reasons, hpl-Neugnadenfelder Maschinenfabrik GmbH has developed an inline quick-change shear that is characterized by speed, precision, simple operation and a compact design.
Equipped with a specially developed quick-change assembly consisting of two slide-in units, the shear blade can be changed in less than one minute without interrupting the production process. During line operation, one of the two slide-in units is in use, while the second is on the swiveling table, which is situated parallel to the strip forward movement. When changing the shear blade, the table is swiveled at 90° to the strip forward movement. This allows the first slide-in unit to be removed from the shear housing and the second slide-in unit, precisely preset with new shear blades, to be pushed into it. This process only takes a few seconds, and after less than one minute the line returns to normal production operation.
The cutting gap can be infinitely adjusted between 0 and 1 mm with a precision of 1/100 mm using two eccentrics. Thanks to the small overall width, the new cut-to-length shears can be easily integrated into existing strip processing lines.
Project manager Günter Veldmann highlights the safety aspect: With the new quick-change assembly consisting of two slide-in units, the operators have plenty of time to change the shear blades and adjust them precisely. Furthermore, we create safety, because nobody needs to work directly in the shear housing under time pressure.”
Roland Pudelko, Production Manager Heat Treatment at Risse + Wilke, emphasizes the efficiency increase: "Originally, we had been aiming for a duration of less than five minutes for changing the shear blades. hpl has far undercut this specified value: After just one minute, the strip continues moving forward. For us, this means that we produce more marketable high-quality strip."
Production downtimes in continuously running strip processing lines due to an unforeseen shear blade change do not only involve high costs, but also considerable additional work. Unplanned rework, loss of quality, high quantities of scrap and dissatisfaction are the result. hpl-Neugnadenfelder Maschinenfabrik GmbH has taken on this task and, in close cooperation with Risse + Wilke Kaltband GmbH & Co. KG, a renowned manufacturer of quenched and tempered strip steel, has developed a quick-change shears that is characterized by precision, simple operation and a compact design.
Martin Aufdemkamp
Sales “Quick-change shear”
Phone: +49 5944 9301-120
Email: martin.aufdemkamp@~@hpl-group.de
