Rolling to market - Part II : More roll forming, less coil handlingEditor's Note: The following is the second article in a two-part series on shrinking time to market in roll forming. Part I , which appeared... Publish date: April 15, 2008 |
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Dissecting defects Part I: Examining process variables to find stamped part quality flaws : Part I: Examining process variables to find stamped part quality flawsEditor's Note: This article is Part I of a three-part series discussing quality defects commonly seen in stamped parts and process variables that... Publish date: October 9, 2007 |
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Protecting surface-sensitive materials in coil processing - Three potential danger areasThe use of surface-sensitive materials is especially prevalent in the automotive industry, which commonly uses galvanized steel. In... Publish date: August 28, 2003 |
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5 process applications to tackle during a slow economy : Efficiency improvements in coil processing don't have to start with aIf an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. The decision to upgrade a section or an entire coil processing... Publish date: May 12, 2009 |
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Controlling flat-rolled shape : What’s the problem? What’s the fix?While metals producers have greatly improved the quality of their flat-rolled product, your customers have tightened their specifications.... Publish date: February 10, 2009 |
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Reducing setup time in strip leveling : Equations minimize trial and error in strip or coil processingToday's leveler operator isn't given much to work with. He may have a sheet of paper that indicates the maximum penetration for a given gauge to... Publish date: October 14, 2008 |
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Die shop transitions to production stamper : Servo feeds help facilitate transformation, adaptationWhat started as fill-in work for idle tool tryout presses has now become full-time production stamping for this die shop. Advanced feed lines... Publish date: July 29, 2008 |
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What you should know about stamping coated coil : How to maximize prepainted metal’s advantagesNearly 90 years ago engineers discovered how to unroll a coil of aluminum or steel, apply a primer or a finish coat, and then recoil it before... Publish date: July 29, 2008 |
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Rolling to market : Part I: Cutting lead-times with on-site roll formingAutomation can significantly reduce downtime between coils. Editor's Note: The following is the second article in a two-part series on... Publish date: March 11, 2008 |
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Choosing between feeding your new stamping line coil or blanks? : Maybe you should feed it bothAs U.S. auto manufacturers continue to strive for global competitiveness, the Big Three search relentlessly for ways to reduce costs. They look... Publish date: December 11, 2007 |
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New generation of levelers tames high-strength steels : Levelers correct defects like coil set, crossbow, camberThe material requirements in the stamping industry have changed to meet industry demands. The increasing use of high-tensile-strength... Publish date: December 11, 2007 |
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Reducing lubricant waste : A proactive approach for stampersAll metal forming facilities that use chemicals ultimately produce wastes, and these facilities then have to deal with them, usually in two... Publish date: November 6, 2007 |
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For flawless cosmetic finish, start at the head : A clean straightening head prevents debris damage during coil feedingTo remain competitive and profitable in the face of rising energy and material costs and low-cost overseas labor, North American stampers are... Publish date: October 9, 2007 |
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Dissecting defects : Part I: Examining process variables to find stamped part quality flawsEditor's Note: This article is the final article in a three-part series discussing quality defects commonly seen in stamped parts. Part I, which... Publish date: October 9, 2007 |
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6 ways to focus on slitting lines : Improving efficiency ... one component at a timeEditor's Note: This article is an edited version of an article that was published in the September 2005 issue The FABRICATOR®. As some... Publish date: September 11, 2007 |
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Leveling flat-rolled strip : How roller levelers handle the taskMany users of flat-rolled strip are demanding material with exceptional flatness. One reason is the increased use of lasers, robots, and other... Publish date: September 11, 2007 |
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Implementing a coil-end joiner : Automotive stamper reduces downtime on its heavy-gauge linesAlmost all metal stampers have downtime at the end of a steel coil. The amount of time a line is nonproductive between coils can vary. It's not... Publish date: August 8, 2007 |
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Keeping stainless flawless for appliance stamping, fabrication : Processing stainless safely through 7 damage-danger zonesAppliances are increasingly being made of stainless steel to satisfy consumers' growing demands for these high-end products. According to the... Publish date: July 10, 2007 |
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Technological quantum leap : Multiblanking line improves output, creates new opportunitiesFigure 1 To generate consistent lengths and maintain flatness, Arme purchased a 60-in.-wide multiblanking line with a turnstile, coil car,... Publish date: June 12, 2007 |
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Reducing scrap, inventory costs with coil optimization software : Maximize material usageSpecialized coil optimization software analyzes the parts to be made and determines the optimal coil sizes (widths) to purchase and maintain in... Publish date: April 10, 2007 |
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A guide to fabric slitting line tension rolls : Understanding composition, construction is key to optimizing performanceThe composition and construction of a roll, its fabric, and how it is finished are critical in understanding how a roll works. Knowing how a... Publish date: April 10, 2007 |
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Roller leveling 101 : A review of the basicsEditor's Note: This article is adapted from Brownie Cox's conference presented at FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show, Oct. 31-Nov.... Publish date: March 13, 2007 |
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The big payoff : Pallet uncoilers help to reduce scrap, labor, and safety costsTraditional slinging and hoisting of coils for mounting on vertical dereelers or positioning them in coil cradles requires extra personnel and... Publish date: February 19, 2007 |
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Doing its level best : Automotive blanker's leveler eliminates costly shape defectsMore than ever manufacturers depend on high-quality blanked and stamped parts to reduce production costs, speed up assembly time, and... Publish date: September 12, 2006 |
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Holding the line on metal costs : Reducing coil line scrap can expand your bottom lineMinimizing coil processing scrap maximizes yield. Nearly everyone who processes metal—aluminum, carbon, or stainless... Publish date: September 12, 2006 |
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Feed to registration : A different way to process round, nested parts efficientlyFigure 1 In the mid-1980s service centers attempted to create coils slit in a scroll pattern to reduce scrap. When processing round or... Publish date: August 8, 2006 |
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New handling instructions : Weiss-Aug. Co. Inc. reorganizes its stamping operations, takes on a new approach to coil handlingThe stamping industry has seen its share of consolidation over the last six years. As a result, many in the U.S. wondered what mode of... Publish date: May 9, 2006 |
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Getting a handle on coil handling : One size doesn't fit all when selecting coil handling equipmentThe initial objective in selecting coil handling equipment is to determine the type of system best-suited to the application.... Publish date: April 11, 2006 |
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How to avoid slit-in coil slitting problems : Controlling variables prevents edge wave, width inconsistencies, burrsGood coil slitting tooling and practices result in good edge quality. Many problems can arise during metal slitting. These include poor... Publish date: March 7, 2006 |
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Straightening mistakes : Clearing up 12 common misconceptionsThose of us who have worked for equipment builders have presumed that our customers knew and understood our technology. Five years ago I... Publish date: March 7, 2006 |
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Maintaining a slitting line : Tips for extending equipment lifeModern slitting lines are high-performance machines that run at speeds up to 2,000 feet per minute and are intended to produce 24 hours a... Publish date: February 7, 2006 |
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Achieving consistent stock lubrication with less oil : How LVLP technology works in the stamping shopFigure 1 LVLP systems use precision spray valves and air pressure of 5 to 10 pounds per square inch (PSI) to apply a uniform film of... Publish date: December 13, 2005 |
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Straight to the point : The importance of straighteners in stamping operationsStamping presses and coil feed lines—a match made in productivity heaven. When running smoothly and well synchronized, few... Publish date: December 13, 2005 |
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A focus on slitting lines : Improving efficiency ... one component at a timeA common theme among fabricators and service centers is that slitting steel has become a commodity process with very low margins.... Publish date: September 13, 2005 |
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Evaluating in-house coil slitting : Key areas to considerAs the cost of steel rises and profit margins shrink, small to medium-sized stampers are looking for ways to reduce costs and streamline... Publish date: April 11, 2005 |
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Analyzing coil handling equipment purchases : New, used, or refurbished?Refurbishing can be a cost-effective way to breathe new life into an old piece of equipment. This cam feed was originally built in 1974.... Publish date: April 11, 2005 |
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The cutting edge of cut-to-length lines : Double eccentric shears enable continuous operationWhen a company plans to invest in a cut-to-length line, basic line configuration is the first decision—and one of the most... Publish date: March 8, 2005 |
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Keep on stamping : Correcting material-equipment induced process problemsTo be competitive in a global economy, U.S. stampers must provide defect-free parts, reduce waste, and eliminate downtime while contending... Publish date: September 14, 2004 |
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Survival of the fastest : Modern cut-to-length line performanceBecause metal fabricators and OEMs have increasingly strict requirements, many suppliers of sheets and blanks must provide high-quality... Publish date: September 14, 2004 |
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Slitting ultrahigh-strength steels : Are you ready to process these coil types?The automotive industry's search for stronger and lighter materials spawned new steel grades to meet higher strength-to-weight ratio... Publish date: August 10, 2004 |
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Sizing up pallet decoilers : Choosing the proper motor table sizes saves time, moneyBuying a decoiler that is too small for your jobs won't increase production and may actually cost more in downtime and maintenance. Some of these... Publish date: May 4, 2004 |
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New Features in Coil-to-Coil Slitters : Adapting to the changing coil industry with technologyProductivity is at the forefront for equipment builders today because their customers demand it, and processing margins for users of coil... Publish date: March 11, 2004 |
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Getting it Straight : Understanding coil straightening in stamping operationsBefore coiled material can pass through a die to produce an acceptable part, it must be straightened. Coil straightening is accomplished by... Publish date: May 29, 2003 |
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Finding the best splice for your light-duty conveyor : The mechanical fastener optionIn most light-duty conveyor systems, one of the key factors in obtaining conveyor uptime is achieving the optimal splice. Reviewing the... Publish date: May 15, 2003 |
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Examining slit coil handling and packaging : Choosing a system for increased productivityFigure 1 A turret recoiler with two rewind drums and two overarm separators mounted on a 180degree rotating base can save time by... Publish date: May 15, 2003 |
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Sizing up pallet uncoilers : Evaluating requirements before you buyLea este articulo en Espanol You can increase your chances for success by taking the time early in your evaluation to understand and... Publish date: April 10, 2003 |
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Everything you need to know about flatteners and levelers for coil processing—Part 4 : New applications and options in flattening and levelingPhoto Courtesy of Atlas Steel Products Co., Twinsburg, Ohio. We can almost always improve the shape of the metal, but there are limits.... Publish date: February 13, 2003 |
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The basics of uncoiling : A review of standard equipmentChoosing proper coil handling and processing equipment can improve material handling and jump-start your shop's overall productivity... Publish date: December 13, 2001 |
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Pairing a servo feed with a pull-through straightener : Applications for noncosmetic stamped partsServo feeds have been in use for many years now. People have become comfortable with this technology and it is becoming commonplace. What... Publish date: December 13, 2001 |
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Flatness in coil processing operations: New turns in the leveling processFigure 1: The different colors shown here indicate how much force or stretching is involved in bending metal over a roll without strip... Publish date: August 16, 2001 |
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Installing and maintaining coil cradles and reelsAll stamping and forming operations outside of the powder or forging industries begin with coiled steel. In many fabricators' plants, the... Publish date: October 11, 2001 |
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Everything you need to know about flatteners and levelers for coil processing—Part 3 : How coil processors can make metal flat so it stays that wayPhoto courtesy of Atlas Steel Products Co., Twinsburg, Ohio. If you have reviewed your existing equipment and processes as discussed... Publish date: January 16, 2003 |
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Everything you need to know about flatteners and levelers for coil processing—Part 1 : How flat-rolled metal gets unflatDoes your coil processing operation preserve or improve quality? Do you struggle just to keep the quality the mills put into their... Publish date: October 10, 2002 |
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Weighing Your Options : The basics of a straightener-feederDifferent but Similar The main difference between a conventional coil line and a close-coupled straightener-feeder unit is the space they... Publish date: November 21, 2002 |
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Take a break and learn to unwind : Coil handling and decoiling options for the pressroomCradles, pallet decoilers, single- and double-end reels with or without load cars—in the overall scheme of a press line, they aren't... Publish date: July 25, 2002 |
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Improving stamping production end to end : Reducing scrap, tooling damage with coil end weldingWelding coil ends is a common practice in the tube producing, strip processing, roll forming, and stamping industries. Coil end joiners are used... Publish date: May 30, 2002 |
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Camber-free slitting for successful stamping : Tooling, techniques for modern looping slittersIn the competitive world of progressive die stamping, slitting-induced strip camber can quickly turn a profitable job into a losing... Publish date: July 25, 2002 |
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Minimizing knife deflections in coil slitting : How to buy and use the right rotary knivesWhen it is time to buy new rotary knives for your steel service center company, you must consider several things. Typically, you will ask... Publish date: May 30, 2001 |
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Protecting surface-sensitive materials in coil processing : The importance of handling coils properlyIn today's world of metal fabricating, reducing the number of steps in the production process is an ever-increasing trend. Fabricators are... Publish date: June 6, 2001 |
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Inspecting for and correcting coil reel damageObject Q. What is the most common type of failure encountered with payoff or take-up reels? A. The most common failure is overload... Publish date: October 11, 2001 |
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Correcting shape problems in flat-rolled coil : Defining simple and complex shape defectsObject Flattener Designs Flatteners can be spread-center or close-center machines (see Figures 1 and 2 ). The rolls on spread-center... Publish date: October 11, 2001 |
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Special slitting for specialty metals : Stainless steel has its own issuesObject As this transition to more challenging environments occurs, an on-time supply of high-quality processed stainless steels and other... Publish date: March 13, 2003 |
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Maintaining a coil feed line for optimum production : A checklist for inspection, maintenance, and troubleshootingObject Today's metal stamping facilities are faced with a variety of demands, including increasing production, improving quality, and reducing... Publish date: March 14, 2002 |
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What's new with multiblanking lines? : Advancements in leveling, slitting, feeding, shearing, and stackingMultiblanking lines are used to produce small, accurately shaped blanks directly from large coils. Sometimes they can eliminate the need for a... Publish date: May 30, 2002 |
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Everything you need to know about flatteners and levelers for coil processing—Part 2 : Flattening solutions and the anatomy of a bend in flat-rolled metalsMetallurgically, most metals that coil processors deal with act similarly, as does the equipment used to fabricate those metals. A... Publish date: November 7, 2002 |