The Benefits of Automation in Cutting & Drilling

THE BENEFITS OF AUTOMATION IN CUTTING AND DRILLING

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY WITH FICEP

FICEP is a world leader in the production of automatic systems for the steel construction industry. The company has designed, manufactured and installed more than 150 fully automatic layouts in different configurations worldwide.

Safety First is a mantra that resonates in all industries with heavy production processes. The automation offered by FICEP helps shift employees away from strenuous and dangerous work. This improves safety in the workplace for employees, as well as their overall health and wellbeing.

Automation also addresses another important critical issue that the industry is currently facing: the shortage of skilled workers. By automating production processes, employees can be redeployed to higher value-added tasks. The automation of processes improves speed and efficiency, as well as time-to-market savings. Automation can also improve quality, precision, accuracy and repeatability of processing.

FICEP'S VALIANT AND KATANA

As an integrated technology partner, FICEP offers VALIANT in combination with the KATANA sawing machine. When integrated with advanced automatic handling systems (like roller conveyors and cross transfer tables), this technology meets the production needs of the steel construction industry. By increasing automation, this technology boosts productivity and provides a safe working environment for operators.

FICEP's VALIANT drilling center is capable of handling beams up to 1,200 mm. It guarantees top production performance in processing all profiles used in civil and industrial steel constructions.

VALIANT can position the beam and perform all programmed processes without repositioning. The new extended subaxis spindle positioning enables simultaneous drilling on all three surfaces even when the holes are not aligned. It can be equipped with three automatic 14-position tool changers, one for each spindle, which provides superior performance with a significant reduction in cycle times. Multi-functionality and versatility are among the most appreciated aspects of VALIANT. An example is the 4-axis underside scribing device with sub-axis positioning to permit up to four-side simultaneous scribing operations. Other processes like tapping, countersinking, milling (slot and cope) save many working hours while increasing productivity.

VALIANT technologies can achieve weld access holes also known as rat holes and weld preparation greatly reducing or eliminating secondary processes at the ends of the beams. The latter makes it possible to increase the degree of precision of the beam joint, eliminating the subsequent finishing phase, which is often carried out manually. VALIANT requires only one operator to carry out several operations yet is also flexible to allow manual intervention to be bypassed completely when required.

FICEP's revolutionary Direct Drive spindles—that transmit 100% of motor power to the tool—offer maximum processing performance. They meet even the most demanding requirements and heavy-duty cycles with great efficiency. VALIANT automated systems can be supplied 'stand-alone' or combined with the KATANA sawing system, FICEP's latest evolution in the field of band sawing. The KATANA has a closed loop feedback, making it one of the fastest cutting in the market. KATANA can perform cuts up to 60° mitered in both directions and at the highest quality. KATANA is integrated with an automatic unloading device with a magnet that allows the processed short pieces to be unloaded automatically. This is done without the intervention of an operator, improving workplace health and safety; this task can be particularly dangerous when handling heavy pieces.

Both the VALIANT and KATANA can be operated by a single numerical control developed in-house by FICEP. Pegaso guarantees better performance and a substantial reduction in cycle times. Pegaso is equipped with a powerful processor, expanded memory, up to 15 controlled axes and multiple communication protocols (Canbus, Profinet, Ethercat). It also comes with an innovative, easy-to-use offline programming software.

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