18-07-17-KASTO-PR-New-KastoTec-01

Reduced tool wear from pre-tensioned linear guides

July 11, 2019
High-performance carbide metal machine makes for shorter cutting times and higher saw-blade service lives

Kasto has comprehensively re-engineered its tec automatic bandsaws. In doing so, the designers have clearly focused on the optimum use of carbide metal saw blades. Further innovations relate to the saw feed, the main drive and a system for automatically adjusting the feed speed (Figure 1).

Rallying cry

Figure 1: To improve on the tried-and-tested was Kasto’s motto when re-engineering the tec automatic bandsaws.

Kastotec has always been identified with high machining performance and low idle times. Shorter cutting times and higher saw-blade service lives are possible thanks to a steel mineral casting compound. This is designed to guarantee a high degree of damping and quiet running, even with difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium, Hastelloy and Inconel. In addition, standard pre-tensioned linear guides, each with two grease-lubricated guide carriages, extend the working life (Figure 2).

Larger diameters

Figure 2: The new Kastotec AC 5 saws round material up to 530 mm diameter.

But there is much more to the new Kastotec. New is the steplessly adjustable electromechanical saw feed with two servo motors and ball screw spindles, which now provide an ideal basis for efficient and sensitive working with reduced tool wear. The saw feed control with its minimal use of sensors enables the cutting parameters to be continuously adjusted, not only at the beginning and end of the cut, but also throughout the sawing process. The user therefore benefits from maximum performance and low tool wear. The tool service life also benefits from the new double saw blade cleaning facility. A mechanical system automatically adjusts the brushes over their entire life, thus ensuring that they are always optimally positioned relative to the saw blade (Figure 3). This all contributes to a further increase in sawing performance.

Brush position

Figure 3: The brushes of the new double saw blade cleaning facility are always optimally positioned relative to the saw blade.

As well as the technical improvements, the user also has control of the tool costs and cutting times. All parameters can be optimally adjusted to suit the type of saw blade used by means of the intuitive controller (Figure 4). Depending on the saw blade, this could reduce cutting times by up to 50%.

Blade intuition

Figure 4: The user can optimally adjust all parameters to suit the type of saw blade used by means of the intuitive controller.

The frequency-controlled bevel spur gear saw drive with a power of 15 kW and a steplessly adjustable cutting speed of 30 to 300 meters per minute is also new.

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About the author: Matthias Eigbrecht
Matthias Eigbrecht is head of the electrical design department at KASTO Maschinenbau based in Achern, Germany, which specializes in sawing and storage technology for bar stock including metal-cutting saws and semi-automatic and automatic storage systems for bar stock and sheet metal. Contact him at [email protected].