Issue n. 3 - April 2005Download pdf - BLM GROUP

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Laser tube cutting technology gives major benefits in the manufacture of furniture and accessories for the music and home entertainment industry. Creating laser work programmes INSPIRED FOR TUBE Furniture TAM srl from Recanati are a manufacturer strongly geared to exports with over 95% of their production going abroad. The two main product lines are furniture for home entertainment systems (audio and visual) and musical instrument accessories (stands, studio-desking etc). Every detail of their product is made in their factory, complying with the “Made in Italy” design requirements. They use top quality materials and innovative technology such as, laser-tube cutting and high-definition paint plant. These technologies guarantee total-productioncontrol and a high standard of finish, particularly for their Home Theater range, where the product appearance is of paramount importance. 80% of the tube is processed by laser Laser technology clearly defines TAM production programmes for cutting tube; they currently use three ADIGE Lasertube systems. “The first system, “states Sergio Graciotti”, was purchased in 1998/99, and in the last 5 years two further Adige Tube Laser systems have been added. Now, over 80% of all the tube processed monthly (150 tonnes) is machined by laser.” Once the increases in production and process improvements became so clear on the first Adige Laser it became a very straightforward decision for the next two to be purchased. For example, on the Home Theatre production line, the quality and flexibility achieved by the laser has provided considerable benefits with a subsequent increase in the number of parts produced rising from 1000 parts per annum to 60,000. A bigger contribution The laser’s massive contribution has been felt by TAM in design flexibility and working practices, safety and, above all, in the quality of product. The laser systems produce a finished product in a fraction of the former time and without the 5 or 6 traditional machining processes they previously carried out i.e. sawing, drilling, notching, milling, punching, deburring etc. “Machining our tube is now consistent and to the highest degree of repeatable quality, “ underlines Graciotti, “ the components are more accurate enabling us to introduce robotic welding cells alongside the ADIGE systems. The repeatable accuracy of the laser with the robot welding process ensures the most precise fit-up of the tubular assembly, which magnifies the overall aesthetic of the final product. The use of the lasers has also helped us to achieve much more precise matching and jointing of parts which has simplified or in some cases eliminated welding jigs and fixtures.” The complete item in 10 minutes TAM has also eliminated the entire pressing, punching, and shearing operations previously carried out, significantly improving aspects of safety and reducing manning levels. The laser system has, in fact, made the cycle of a product’s development much leaner - “ Today, it’s possible to have a newly designed part completed and in your hand, 10 minutes after initialising the laser programme, “confirms Mr Pirchio, the Vice President of the company. “ Before, there were a 6
considerable number of technological limitations to the traditional methods we adopted. Today, not only is it possible to complete the product more quickly, but we are able to do it without needing several dedicated machines and associated special tooling. We have completely transformed our original mentality and are beginning to realise the magnitude of the benefits we can enjoy with the laser in terms of the design, functionality, manufacture and overall aesthetics of our products; experimenting with the ADIGE systems has without doubt acted as a spur to the development of new products.” “ The designer,” adds Mario Malizia, the President of TAM, “can deliver his creative designs, without the restrictions of traditional machining processes, which in turn can be further improved using our own know-how, gained from our experience with the laser tube and the tube benders.” In the factory today, elliptical and semi oval tube are the starting point for virtually all new products, this change has led to a new product range, which combines laser tube cutting technology and variable radius tube bending technology, enabling us to reach heights of functionality and beauty in our products, hitherto impossible. Concludes Pirchio, “ there has been constant product improvement in both design and functionality, which has led to a considerable reduction in manufacturing time – this has opened up the development of a sub-contracting laser tube cutting service, which brings in a very welcome additional income.” Number 3 - april 2005 INSPIRED FOR TUBE Arredamento 7
Page 1 and 2: INSPIRED FOR TUBE No. 3 - 4/2005 UK
Page 3 and 4: Opinion At the beginning of the 190
Page 5: numbers of robotic welding cells. N
Page 9 and 10: From 500 to 300,000 parts per annum
Page 11 and 12: weeks. They develop and plan the de
Page 13 and 14: down from 2∏ hours to 45 minutes.
Page 15 and 16: tronico” figure who possessed a c

Issue n. 3 - April 2005Download pdf - BLM GROUP

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