Sawing and Storage Technology for Metalworking Shops

The essence of profitable automated sawing comprises two elements: high cutting performance and short downtimes. In Booth S-3938, the new, fully automated bandsaws in the KASTOwin product line from KASTO, Inc. (Export, PA) have been designed for mass production sawing of solid material, tube and profile. Designed in Germany and manufactured in state-of-the-art, flow line production lines in assembly plants in Achern (in the northern Black Forest) and Schalkau (Thuringia), these bandsaws create the ideal conditions for optimum efficiency.

The new KASTOwin bandsaw is available in five sizes, from the A 3.3 (with a 13 in x 13.78 in cutting range) through the A 4.6, 5.6, 8.6 models up to the A 10.6 (with a 41.73 in x 41.73 in cutting capacity). To increase shop productivity, the KASTOwin series offers several time-saving advantages:

• Customized to the specific application using a modular system design.
• Quick motion using servo drive and ball screw spindle for the material feed and the linear guided saw frame.
• Automatic band guide arm adjustment.
• Quick and easy programming via color touch screen.
• SmartControl to ensure high bandsaw blade lifetimes.
• Incremental feed for cutting batches of short pieces.

These KASTOwin bandsaws combine solid engineering with innovative control technology. The torsion-resistant upper part of the bandsaw offers higher vibration absorption than conventional cast iron constructions. The heavy construction of the rest of the steel structure has a single objective: to ensure operation of the bandsaw blade is as quiet as possible for high precision. The new KASTOrespond system, developed specially for this range of equipment, provides ideal calibration of the machine for all material types and is available for all sizes. The system continuously monitors the forces on the tool and intelligently translates them into optimal feed and rapid movements. The operator only needs to program the relevant data, such as cutting lengths, quantities and the material to be cut. The KASTOwin takes care of the rest:

• Effective use of material down to a 1.38 in short remnant (2.36 in for KASTOwin A 3.3).
• New layout: The drive unit and sensor are separate from the working area – ensuring reliable and trouble- free operation.
• Key parameters are entered into the user-friendly SmartControl saw control unit. Simple input of sawing jobs by entering cutting lengths, quantities and material description.
• Controlled feed motion using ball screws.
• Material clamping vices with side shift cylinder guarantee reliable automatic cutting.
• Backlash-free linear guides in both pillars for smooth, precise running.
• Powered chip removal brush.
• Hydraulically preloaded, integrated band guide.
• Accessible material feed.
• Preparation for infeed roller conveyors.
• Quiet, energy-efficient, compact hydraulic power unit.
• High cutting performance with impressive repeatability.

The KASTOwin series bandsaw achieves a cutting accuracy of ± 0.00394 in / 3.94 in cutting length, with cutting speeds of up to 492 fpm. Precise, backlash-free linear guides for the vice and saw feed, as well as servo drive and ball screws for saw frame and material feed unit, make this possible. The comprehensive standard equipment ensures improved efficiency through high cutting performance, combined with quick set-up and optimal material handling, to considerably reduce costs per cut.

Also on display will be the UNITOWER tower storage system that is available in three variants and is suitable for bar materials, sections, sheet and plate, as well as for euro-pallets or boxes and more. Its variable loading height means that it needs significantly less room, which makes it more economical than floor or cantilever arm storage systems. An operating gantry crane with loading traverse handles the load supports. Input and output stations are connected to automatic conveying technology or to processing machines to allow the material flow to be optimized. The UNITOWER is, for example, employed as a buffer store in fabrication shops, or for small-to-medium quantity storage in steel and other trading companies.

KASTO, Inc., 3002 Venture Court, Export, PA 15632-8949, 724-325-5600, www.kasto.com.