August 23rd 2024
Machining centers with briquetting presses allow for fully-automated phantom shifts
There is shortage of skilled workers everywhere - not least in production. A frequently sought solution: fully-automated machine tools, that partially manage to operate in multiple shifts with no need for personnel. Remove the produced chips to make sure they do not turn into bottlenecks. Ideally, this takes place with connected, also automated briquetting machines. RUF Maschinenbau offers suitable, needs-based solutions for this purpose.
Automation is becoming increasingly more important in machining production. Since in most cases this is the only way to operate expensive machining centers cost-effectively. This trend is intensified due to almost chronic shortage of skilled workers. That is why, unmanned phantom shifts in the night and on weekends are widely used.
Manufacturers of machine tools offer almost perfect conditions for these purposes with various systems for automatic workpiece and tool change as well as an all-round monitoring of the entire production process. The only thing remaining unnoticed are the chips arising during production.
What is usually not problematic in finishing is of significant importance when it comes to roughing operations, especially for soft materials such as aluminum. Here, thousands of liters of chips can be generated over several shifts with unmanned continuous operation. A volume which can hinder or even bring the machining processes to standstill.
To avoid this, RUF Maschinenbau has developed special briquetting solutions which can be directly installed at the chip discharge. Corporate designers continuously check the existing production conditions and perfectly adapt the briquetting machine in coordination with the customer. Material, chip type and the estimated throughput are also taken into account as well as the existing chip discharge.
RUF experts most often recommend for the direct connection of smaller machines such as the RUF Formika, RAP or RUF 4 to the machining center. Sales Manager Bernd Ellenrieder explains: “All three models allow for an average volume reduction of 1:10 for aluminum. The potential throughput of Formika and RAP is up to 40 kg/h each, and even higher for the RUF 4 with up to 170 kg/h. Otherwise, they are different in structure, space requirement and with hopper volumes. “The Formika impresses with its closed, very compact structure as well as its maintenance-free design. However, you should individually check as to which briquetting machine is best suited in each individual case.
Automated continuous operation and much more
As a result, the customers always receive a solution where chips no longer turn into bottle necks of the automated continuous operation of the machining centers. Incidentally, machining operations benefit from several additional advantages, generally arising when briquetting with high-quality machines from RUF. This e.g. simplifies the complete logistics, the internal forklift logistics as well as the external transport logistics, i.e. truck journeys to smelting plants.
Moreover, there is an increase in the value of the accumulated chips. When pressed with varietal purity, you can usually gain three-digit euro amount of additional revenue per ton of briquettes when selling aluminum briquettes compared to loose chips. Another advantage results from the fact that often cooling lubricants are used for high-performance machining which also ends up sticking to the chips. Depending on the material, briquetting with RUF machines allows for the reduction of moisture content of the metal chips from 15 percent and more to a very low residual moisture in the briquette. In many cases, the precious liquid obtained in this manner can be subsequently processed and recycled.
