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Drill saw line back-to-back
One of the greatest leaps forward in automatic structural steel processing was the introduction of the back-to-back drill/saw combination layout. Stand-alone automated CNC drilling and sawing machines have existed for a while, but placing the machines back-to-back provides many advantages like increased productivity, efficiency and accuracy.
Higher productivity and efficiency
Drilling holes and sawing profiles on the same production line
The most obvious advantage of a back-to-back drilling and sawing line is higher efficiency and productivity. The entire raw profile only needs to be measured once, after which it is machined in a single operation and throughput is increased. The exact specifications for both machines are known and communicated to the control software, which can also take into account the thickness of the saw blade and the distance between the saw blade and the drill for absolute precision. Operations are sequenced to achieve the highest productivity and the shortest travel routes during machining. Finished products can be sorted based on length, product name, or further processing requirements.
Small floor space
One input and output
Another advantage of a back-to-back positioned drilling/sawing line is a smaller floor space requirement in your factory and direct material routing. With only one input and output shared by both machines, logistics in your workshop are simplified with only one position for docking and unloading, reducing the use of cranes or forklifts.
Integration in your workshop
Combined sawing and drilling with measuring rolls
The fastest measuring and transportation system for profiles in the market
The Voortman roller feed measuring system uses two feeder rolls to move material. Two measurement wheels are installed to accurately track the profile's position. Feeder rolls are often used because of the required space and the flexibility when integrated into a larger system. With a measuring roll system, it is also possible to load a new profile once the first profile has passed the edge of the cross transports.
Since a feeder roll does not have a rail, it is possible to feed into the machine from two sides. With Voortman, you have a choice in measurement systems, making it possible to tailor the system to the characteristics of your production database.
Combined sawing and drilling with feeder truck and SPRS
A strong and robust servo driven gripper truck for processing many small products
Voortman also offers a strong and robust servo driven gripper truck. This truck is the fastest truck available, adapting its velocity dynamically to the profile's total weight. This makes the truck more agile and safe for the operator. The feeder truck holds the material with a wide clamp, which is rotated automatically when the geometry of the profile demands. This measuring system is capable of moving even the heaviest profiles without losing its stability.
The gripper truck can be combined with the VB beam sawing machine - often with an automatic Short Product Removal System (SPRS) where the gripper clamps all products up to 1.400 mm (4-1/2'). during cutting, and then short products are transported sideways. With the SPRS and the gripper truck, the drill and saw become fully autonomous with clean cuts automatically dropped into a separate bin. Just start your latest production run before you close the factory for the night and arrive in the morning with all products processed and sorted on the outfeed cross transports.
Safety
An integral plan to keep your production line safe and up and running
After installing a machine or production line, Voortman installs a net of safety measures. These safety measures comprise of light curtains, emergency cords and emergency stop buttons. Voortman has made it one of its priorities to deliver a safe production line, yet not hold up production if the operator needs to enter the safe zone. This is accomplished by using gated light curtains allowing loading and unloading while the machines continue processing, and by delivering remote controls with a kill switch that operators can use when carrying out tasks inside the safety zone.