New control automatic cutter for local market

South African importer and distributor of high-end automation products, and electrical and capital equipment Elquip Solutions, the sole agent for Italian-based machine tool manufacturer Pedrazzoli, is introducing the Pedrazzoli MCL 120 intelligent motion system (IMS) control automatic cutter to the South African market.

“We believe that, coming through this economic crisis, companies are having to become more competitive while pro- ducing high-quality end products at a reduced cost. This machine is able to reduce the cost of a cut while ensuring high quality through precision cutting,” says Elquip Solutions CEO Mike Cronin.

He adds that an increasing number of these machines are being introduced into the Euro- pean markets to increase pro- duction and reduce the need to have more than one machine. The MCL 120 IMS’s versatile cutting is able to produce cut pieces of metal at high speed with decreased labour requirements, and is capable of repla- cing six band-saw machines, which reduces costs.

Cronin explains that, as a result of the meticulous and thorough design, this fully automatic cutting line is able to cut a wide range of section tubes, reaching a diameter of up to 120 mm. Further, the machine does not deflect the material being cut, offering a straight and precise cut.

“Years of experience have allowed the designers to create a machine that has a high- speed cutting cycle and the strength required for cutting extremely thick tubes and high-resistance materials,” he says.

One of the MCL 120 IMS’s features includes an automatic loader, which can bear more than 4 t of material. The loader is user friendly and enables the operator to dump bundles of tubes into the bundle loader of the machine, key in the required length and the machine does the rest.

The machine also has high-movement speed. The blade rotation speed, which is impor- tant in the cutting of differ- ent types of material, can be adjusted to speeds of between 38 rev/min and 287 rev/min.

The MCL 120 IMS can fit blades with a minimum dia- meter of 140 mm to a maximum of 370 mm, which can be ser- viced. Further, being a cold saw cutter, which uses high steel blades, ensures that the cutoff piece does not need to be deburred. However, where applications require deburring, a deburring brush can be integrated.

“As the machine is fully automated, accuracy is 100% guaranteed. The machine calculates the pieces that are going to be cut and ensures that the last piece that is cut is the smallest piece. This ensures that there is no need for recutting and reduces scrap, which reduces costs. The precise cut also improves the quality of the product,” says Elquip Solutions MD Brian Mostert.

Cronin adds that the MCL 120 IMS offers more cutting options and can be designed for specific cutting angles, suited to the type of material being cut, by using a high- speed circular steel saw blade. “The machine’s high speed and precision make it ideal for the automotive industry, which requires volume and precision,” he says.

Further, the automatic, adjustable bar stop ensures precision, as well as the ability to rapidly change cutting mea- surements. The patented discharge system provides fast and effi- cient offloading of cutting pieces, even when heavily laden, and maintains the cor- rect position of the material after the cut, making it much easier to attach this machine to other working units.

“The IMS developed by the Pedrazzoli research and deve- lopment department ensures greater flexibility and opera- tors are actually able to modify feeding speed, thrust torque and cutting speed during the work cycle. “The software assists the operator to select the blade to be used to optimise cutting length and to regulate cutting speed,” says Cronin.

He adds that the MCL 120 IMS automatic cutting centre can also be integrated with an end-working, washing and drying system, a dimensional control system, and collection units simply by adding standard accessories.

Elquip Solutions, through its alliance with Pedrazzoli, an international manufacturer of machine tools for cutting, end-forming, deformation and the bending of tubes and metal profiles, is able to supply high-end technology through its continuous and innovative product develop- ment. The rapid development and evolution of technology has ensured significant advances in the production of versatile machines, tailored to customers’ needs.

“Pedrazzoli’s customer- centric focus contributes signi- ficantly to the continuous creation of machines that have no rivals in terms of qua- lity and competitiveness,” says Cronin.

Elquip Solutions supplies high-quality global electrical, automation, mechanical and consumable products to customers throughout the original-equipment manufacturer system, systems integration and distributor markets. The company works closely with clients to find the most efficient and effective imple- mentation for the technology they require and then tailors these solutions to a client’s individual needs.

“Going forward, we are continually looking at intro- ducing more and more value-for-money, high-end-technology products into the local market. We firmly believe that, once industry comes out of this economic slump, there is going to be significant potential in automated machines as com- panies look to cut cost while remaining competitive,” concludes Cronin.