Automatic Feed’s heavy-gauge straightener designed for heavy vehicle component manufacturing

Automatic Feed Co. has introduced heavy-gauge straighteners designed for processing thick steel for applications such as truck and automotive frames, wheels, and other heavy vehicle components.

With a bridge load of 1.2 million lbs., these machines can process coiled steel material at widths up to 78 in. and thicknesses up to 0.50 in. at speeds up to 150 FPM. Their heavy-duty construction withstands the forces required for effective processing of hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, mild steel, HSLA steel, AHSS, prelubricated materials, and dry-lube materials.

It features nine work rolls—four upper and five lower—at 6.75 in. dia. for precision material flattening. All rolls are driven through a common gearbox with multiple output shafts to help prevent material slippage. A kicker roll, located after the work rolls, assists with removing upturn from reverse-wrapped coils, which tends to be more prevalent in heavy-gauge materials.

The entry and exit sides of the straightener feature an independent pinch roll unit. Each pinch roll unit is driven by a 75-HP AC servomotor. The pinch rolls open and close with hydraulically actuated cylinders. These cylinders have proportional pressure-regulating valves, which can be programmed per part recipe. The 12-in.-dia. entry and exit pinch rolls are driven separately and speed-matched electronically with the straightener work rolls.