HEAVY DUTY LINEAR SYSTEM ADDS VALUE TO PIPE CUTTING
22/02/2011 HepcoMotion
PipeCutter is a plasma machine that was initially developed for the street lamp production industry but whose popularity has now spread to other manufacturing sectors. Developed in the UK by Messer Cutting Systems, this pipe profiling machine is built to specification to meet different pipe length requirements and can be equipped with a series of options to suit the application.These options include the incorporation of a drilling head which naturally affects machine dynamics. The increased loads involved require the incorporation of a heavier duty linear motion system and the HepcoMotion® HDS2 has proved to be the ideal solution.
The basic purpose of PipeCutter in its principle market is to cut an inspection door and cable entry into the street lighting column. "Some customers additionally want to drill holes at different positions on the column to later mount fixtures," explained Messer Cutting Systems' Project Manager Gary Buck. "So we fit twist drill heads to the machine for that purpose."
The standard HepcoMotion® GV3 linear guide is eminently suited to the task of carrying and positioning the plasma cutting head on PipeCutter. However, the addition of the twin drill heads pushes GV3 capacity. "We needed a strong linear beam and slides that would easily withstand the extra loads and provide good positioning accuracy," Gary Buck continued. This is vital to ensure there is no beam deflection and also good repeatability when drilling the fixing holes.
The HepcoMotion® HDS2 proved to be the ideal product. Arduous linear motion is a field in which HepcoMotion® excels. The products in its range provide a broad choice of options and include single piece rings up to 1.8m in diameter. This programme is complemented by the HepcoMotion® MHD maximum heavy duty system whose bearing blocks each have a maximum load capacity of five tonnes.
Also included on the PipeCutter machine are Zimm Screw Jacks, another HepcoMotion® product, whose purpose is to support the tubes and provide height adjustment. Based around a cubic body and building block principle
These heavy duty jacks provide maximum lifting capabilities of up to 1000kN. "We chose Zimm because they were proven and successful," Gary Buck concludes. "Indeed I have to say that all our HepcoMotion® products have performed even better than expectation in the field."
For further information, please contact:
HepcoMotion
Lower Moor Business Park
Tiverton Way
Tiverton
Devon
EX16 6TG
Tel: +44 (0)1884 243400
Fax: +44 (0)1884 243399
Web: www.hepcomotion.com
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.