Tube bending CNC machines

4th Quarter 2011 Other technologies

Smiths Manufacturing, a manufacturer and assembler of components for the automotive industry, needed new high performance tube bending equipment to enhance capacity at its Durban facility. Italian tube bending specialist Crippa, represented locally by First Cut, provided the solution.

The installation, a Crippa CA520, is a tube bending CNC machine with five electric axes and the capability of bending tubes from 6 to 20 mm in diameter. Crippa technicians were brought out to the site for the installation, with support from First Cut’s technical team.

“This machine has a double bending head, making it possible to bend tubes with a complex left and right hand bend requirement, within a single load cycle,” says Alain Lamusse, project engineering manager at Smiths. “Every component is distinctive, with each aluminium tube needing to be specially bent for specific applications.” The CA520 is now an integral part of Smiths’ production line of pipes and hoses for motor air conditioning systems, which make use of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems.

Other enhancements include a quick change tooling configuration that reduces time lost during tooling changeover and part setup, and a faster operating speed. The Crippa CA series also offers new levels in accuracy. “These bending machines make use of the latest high-tech developments in the utilisation of single components, and this leads to the accuracy, performance and reliability levels that Smiths is looking for,” adds Lamusse. The machines also have a built in facility allowing for automatic loading and unloading of raw materials.

For more information contact Andrew Poole, First Cut, +27 (0)11 614 1112, [email protected], www.firstcut.co.za

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