“Finn-Power is the only machine builder that took a position on the ...

Speed, accuracy, and prec<strong>is</strong>ion are achieved
by both <strong>the</strong> linear drives and <strong>the</strong> coordinate table
construction, ensuring excellent repeatability of
each work stage performed. Th<strong>is</strong> Active
Synchronized Drive system ensures <strong>the</strong> highest
<strong>position</strong>ing accuracy of <strong>the</strong> coordinate table, even
when using maximum acceleration and
deceleration values.
However, faster punching speeds alone <strong>is</strong> not
<strong>the</strong> total answer to increased productivity. Finn-
<strong>Power</strong> found <strong>the</strong> greatest potential area for
productivity improvement in total manufacturing
time to be in <strong>the</strong> areas of axes movements.
Depending upon <strong>the</strong> program, axes movements
in typical fabrication systems can account for
50% of total processing time from loading <strong>the</strong>
sheet to stacking <strong>the</strong> fin<strong>is</strong>hed part. The X and Y
axes movements are <strong>the</strong> most time consuming
phase of <strong>the</strong> program. Finn-<strong>Power</strong> Shear
Brilliance utilizes linear drive technology with <strong>the</strong>
integrated shearing concept, surpassing all
performance values previously associated with
traditional methods.
O<strong>the</strong>r benefits of <strong>the</strong> Shear Brilliance
include:
Tool Holders – Finn-<strong>Power</strong> incorporates an
individual tool holder concept <strong>that</strong> allows
customers to design <strong>the</strong>ir own turret layouts.
Unlike o<strong>the</strong>r designs, specific tool stations are not
<strong>machine</strong>d into <strong>the</strong> turret. Finn-<strong>Power</strong> offers <strong>the</strong>
<strong>only</strong> flexible selection of tool holders in <strong>the</strong>
industry. Any tooling style from Mate Prec<strong>is</strong>ion
Tooling or Wilson Tool International can be
installed in a Finn-<strong>Power</strong> turret.
The Shear Brilliance turret has 30 tool
stations. Up to 15 Multi-Tool or auto index
stations can accommodate up to 200 tools
available in <strong>the</strong> turret in one set-up. “One of <strong>the</strong>
justifications for purchasing <strong>the</strong> Shear Brilliance
was reduction of set up times,” says Therrien.
“We <strong>only</strong> had 19 tools in each of our two turret
punch presses. We have 94 tools in <strong>the</strong> Shear
Brilliance and have reduced setup times from
35% to <strong>only</strong> 8%. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> a big advantage for us.”
Auto-Index – Finn-<strong>Power</strong>’s unique autoindex
system prec<strong>is</strong>ely rotates <strong>the</strong> punch and die
The Shear Brilliance turret has 30 tool stations. Up to
15 Multi-Tool or auto index stations can accommodate
up to 200 tools available in <strong>the</strong> turret in one set-up.
in <strong>the</strong>ir tool holders using a
single A.C. servo-motor
system. The system does
not need to match separate
servo-motors as in some
o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>machine</strong>s. Rotation
in .001 degree
programmable increments
gives <strong>the</strong> <strong>machine</strong> <strong>the</strong> ability to rotate beyond
360 degrees, thus allowing <strong>the</strong> system to
automatically select <strong>the</strong> shortest path to rotate
to a programmed angle input into <strong>the</strong> NC
part program with simplicity, speed, and
reliability. Peerless has four auto index stations.
Venmar has five auto-index stations.
Multi-Tool ® – Finn-<strong>Power</strong>’s Multi-Tool
stations increase <strong>the</strong> number of tools available
in a turret, thus reducing set-up and increasing
productivity. The Multi-Tool system allows
multiple tools to be put in one station. Finn-
<strong>Power</strong> Multi-Tool offers 6, 8, 10, or 24
different punch/die combinations in <strong>only</strong> one
station – a turret within a turret. Venmar has
two 8-stations, three 10-stations, and one 24station
Multi-Tools.
Upward Forming System – Finn-<strong>Power</strong>’s
upward forming option provides more
accurate forming and greater forming heights
up to 16 mm (.63" ) and 5" in diameter.
Ano<strong>the</strong>r advantage <strong>is</strong> <strong>that</strong> all dies are at <strong>the</strong>
same height and <strong>the</strong>re are more high-forming
dies in <strong>the</strong> turret, thus, reducing r<strong>is</strong>k of
material damage and increasing <strong>machine</strong>
uptime. Venmar has two upforming stations.
FPS Storage
The level of automation can be
customized through Finn-<strong>Power</strong> flexible
modular solutions for raw material storage,
loading, unloading, sorting, and stacking.
These features can be added later as budget
allows and production demands increase.
Venmar chose <strong>the</strong> FPS double storage towers
to keep its line running efficiently. The FPS
has two storage blocks cons<strong>is</strong>ting of up to 19
cassettes in each. Material <strong>is</strong> stored by <strong>the</strong>
Input wagon or parts can be removed by <strong>the</strong>
Output wagon. Input/Output wagons are
used to transport <strong>the</strong> cassettes. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> done by
using a crane mechan<strong>is</strong>m with end telescoping
forks. For storage control and management,
<strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> a computer unit located in <strong>the</strong>
electrical cabinet, which <strong>is</strong> located at <strong>the</strong> same
end as <strong>the</strong> motor of <strong>the</strong> vertical lifting device.
Material can be ordered straight with <strong>the</strong> cell
control and storage can be checked when
15
The Drummondville plant specializes in <strong>the</strong> production of
kitchen hoods, specifically <strong>the</strong> professional style hoods. The
hoods are mostly produced from stainless steel and are low
volume, high mix.
compiling a work queue. The wagons are
powered from <strong>the</strong> electrical cabinet and <strong>the</strong>
control buttons for movement are normally
located in <strong>the</strong> electrical cabinet.
“Since we are running very low volume and
high mix, it made sense for us to go with an
automated loading tower,” explains Therrien.
“At times we just use one sheet from a pallet
and <strong>the</strong>n switch to ano<strong>the</strong>r. The FPS storage has
been both productive and efficient for us.”
Performance
And how has <strong>the</strong> Shear Brilliance
performed at Venmar since its installation in
December, 2003? Venmar <strong>is</strong> currently operating
two shifts, seven days a week. The Shear
Brilliance <strong>is</strong> running unmanned part of th<strong>is</strong>
time. “During 2004, we increased production
by 50%,” explains Therrien. “Overall, <strong>the</strong> Shear
Brilliance has increased our capacity by 300%,
while reducing our cost of manufacturing <strong>the</strong>
part by 75%.”
“During 2004, we increased production by 50%. Overall,
<strong>the</strong> Shear Brilliance has increased our capacity by 300%,
while reducing our cost of manufacturing <strong>the</strong> part by 75%.”