Rotating-head tube cutoff machines are a great way to speed up production and enhance safety and efficiency on your factory floor. However, these systems can also do much more. Besides chamfering and beveling, these cutoff systems can easily integrate features such as pin-stamping, laser etching and label printing to offer complete downstream tracking for any order.
The Final Finish
Rotating head cutoff systems take the guesswork and waste out of processing metal tubes. These systems, which hold the tube stationary in two chucks while the cutting head rotates around the stock, are able to increase production speed by sorting and cutting orders with optimum efficiency. However, the real value of the rotating head system is that it can be programmed to cut and end finish tubes, which eliminates secondary chamfering operations. The servo-driven cutting head can quickly bore, chamfer and groove tubes in a variety ways as a part of the cutoff process. Furthermore, the finishes produced by these machines are usually of much higher quality than those that are produced with standard cutting lathes, due to the reduction of vibration and movement of the tube stock.
However, the benefits of the rotating head system do not end there. Now, rotating head cutoff machines can have pin-stamping, laser etching and label printing integrated into the tube exit handling equipment. The tube is transferred directly from the cutoff procedure to the marking process, which occurs concurrently with the cutoff cycle to avoid delays. This not only saves time but also eliminates human errors in manual part identification, and quickly increases the production capacity of any factory.
The benefits do not stop with being able to complete the process in one step. These systems can be configured so that mixed-length parts are marked and sorted to either the front or the rear, depending on the user’s preference. This can help prevent mix-ups downstream in the production cycles and smooth the flow of the process. It also allows traceability of parts throughout the production process and even beyond. This data can be shared through an MES, barcode scanner or by the operator at a touchscreen.
Marking Options Increase Flexibility
Each method of marking for metal pipes provides certain benefits for the production process, and manufacturers can decide which method best suits their needs. All of these methods can easily be integrated into a rotating-head cutoff system through the right software.
- Laser-etching barcodes. For many years, barcodes have been an industry standard in detailed data sharing and tracking. Many manufacturers still use this system as it is widely recognized and used by many vendors. Laser etching is also the quietest type of marking system. However, it does have the disadvantage that it can be painted over or covered accidentally.
- Dot-peen, or pin-stamp marking. Like barcodes, dot-peen or pin-stamp marking provides a deep, permanent mark. Unlike barcodes, however, this mark will be readable even if it is painted over. This method is noisier and may take slightly longer, but may be worth the extra effort for manufacturers.
- Printed labels. Simply printing labels is a fast, easy way to provide detailed, easy-to-read information. While printing labels are not permanent, they are easy to produce and can quickly be applied to large orders, unlike the etching methods.
At Hautau, we believe in giving our customers the best solutions possible for their unique needs. Give us a call today and let us know how we can help you!