12
6th volume – 2006 , nr 1 see continuation page 2 © Valk Welding B.V. 2006 All rights reserved. Valk mailing a publication of Valk Welding BV In its role as a manufacturer of turn- key systems, Panasonic is able to successfully combine construction, operation and wire feeding to maxi- mum effect. To produce higher traverse rates, Panasonic went back to the draw- ing board to rethink all the mechanical components that could hamper perform- ance. Now, for example, all the wiring is routed through the robot arm, a compact and friction-free solution that gives better acceleration and a higher traverse rate. The filler wire feed system has been redesigned to provide flexible feedthrough with no tension. Now, the TAWERS wire feed motor rotates with the arm to prevent tension between the torch and the hose bundle. TAWERS also has an AC servomotor for precise feed-rate control. Fully integrated robot and workstation One feature that sets the TAWERS weld- ing robot system apart is the unique 64-bit module that fully combines control of the robot and the workstation. A single CPU also provides data transfer and programmes the current generator, filler wire feed and the robot, thereby increasing the transfer rate by 250% which has opened up attractive new possibilities for numerical innovations such as SP-MAG and Hyper Dip Pulse. this issue Wire Wizard offers peak wire feed perform ance for welding robots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New automated welding booth mounted on universal frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 DTPS G2 upgraded on Global 2 and TAWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Valk Welding completes a large automated welding project for Polish trailer manufacturer Wielton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Robot utilisation increases scope for . . . . . handling applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Handling robot “at work” at the confection ers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 VMG transforms the humble balustrade . . into a designer item thanks to the Valk Welding laser welding robot . . . . . . . 10 Valk Welding installs Kjellberg CNC plasma cutting systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Where we are exhibiting and how to find us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 new from Panasonic: TAWERS high performance welding robot Valk Welding showcased Panasonic’s latest welding robot at the Schweissen & Schneiden exhibition in Essen. The new robot welder, called TAWERS (The Arc WElding Robot System), has been specially designed for arc welding applications and is acknowledged as the fore- runner of a new generation of welding robots. New from Panasonic: TAWERS high performance welding robot

2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Valk Welding is a trend-setting supplier of products and services in the field of industrial robotics and welding techniques. Based on its extensive assortment, and its unique know-how and experience in the field of both robot- and welding techniques, Valk Welding is able to supply overall solutions that will increase your productivity and performance. Valk Welding: The strong connection!

Citation preview

Page 1: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

6th

volu

me

– 20

06 ,

nr 1

see continuation page 2

© Valk Welding B.V. 2006All rights reserved.

Valk mailing a publication of Valk Welding BV

In its role as a manufacturer of turn-

key systems, Panasonic is able to

successfully combine construction,

operation and wire feeding to maxi-

mum effect. To produce higher traverse

rates, Panasonic went back to the draw-

ing board to rethink all the mechanical

components that could hamper perform-

ance. Now, for example, all the wiring is

routed through the robot arm, a compact

and friction-free solution that gives better

acceleration and a higher traverse rate. The

filler wire feed system has been redesigned

to provide flexible feedthrough with no

tension. Now, the TAWERS wire feed motor

rotates with the arm to prevent tension

between the torch and the hose bundle.

TAWERS also has an AC servomotor for precise

feed-rate control.

Fully integrated robot and workstationOne feature that sets the TAWERS weld-

ing robot system apart is the unique 64-bit

module that fully combines control of the

robot and the workstation. A single CPU also

provides data transfer and programmes the

current generator, filler wire feed and the

robot, thereby increasing the transfer rate by

250% which has opened up attractive new

possibilities for numerical innovations such as

SP-MAG and Hyper Dip Pulse.

this issue

• Wire Wizard offers peak wire feed perform

ance for welding robots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

• New automated welding booth mounted

on universal frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

• DTPS G2 upgraded on Global 2 and

TAWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

• Valk Welding completes a large automated welding project for Polish trailer

manufacturer Wielton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

• Robot utilisation increases scope for . . . . .

handling applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

• Handling robot “at work” at the confection

ers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

• VMG transforms the humble balustrade . . into a designer item thanks to the

Valk Welding laser welding robot . . . . . . . 10

• Valk Welding installs Kjellberg CNC plasma

cutting systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

• Where we are exhibiting and how to

find us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

new from Panasonic:

TAWERS high performance

welding robot

Valk Welding showcased Panasonic’s latest welding robot at the

Schweissen & Schneiden exhibition in Essen. The new robot welder,

called TAWERS (The Arc WElding Robot System), has been specially

designed for arc welding applications and is acknowledged as the fore-

runner of a new generation of welding robots.

high performance

robot

Panasonic’s latest welding robot at the

Schweissen & Schneiden exhibition in Essen. The new robot welder,

called TAWERS (The Arc WElding Robot System), has been specially

designed for arc welding applications and is acknowledged as the fore-

New from Panasonic:

TAWERS high performance

welding robot

Page 2: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

SP-MAG welding processSP-MAG is a new software-controlled weld-

ing method that gives high-speed, spatter-

free output. A new software algorithm has

enabled Panasonic to combine the attributes

of electric arcs from traditional MAG welding

and from pulse welding, and apply the bene-

fits offered by both methods. The SP-MAG

method offers other advantages in addition

to spatter-free welding in the form of lower

heat input, better gap handling and penetra-

tion. The full benefits can really be felt when

working on sheets up to 3 mm thick.

SP-MAG also comes with new functionalities

such “Lift Start” and “End Start”, which cut

excessive local penetration at the beginning

and end of a welding pass to give a cleaner

weld. The result is a weld without spatter

that does not require additional finishing.

“Arc Lift” is reserved for pulse welding and

is specially designed to produce long-lasting

welds. It is even possible to switch from arc

welding to pulse welding during a welding

procedure.

Even possible to change filler wire transfer

system during a welding procedure

Advanced collision detection

Panasonic has developed a unique solution

for preventing damage and avoiding recali-

bration if a collision should occur. The new

servo software senses any excess load on

the torch, decommutation and robot arm.

The control system automatically switches

to “soft-servo” mode, bringing the robot arm

down and preventing damage to the torch or

the arm itself.

100 kHz current generator-inverterThe welding unit is a “super high speed”100

kHz current generator-inverter. The unique

feature of the generator is its overall capaci-

tance, which has been reduced to 2/3 the

capacitance of current machines. Another

notable feature is the “central duct cool-

ing system” which eliminates the chance of

breakdowns caused by dust particles circu-

lating through the ventilation system.

Recording and saving weld dataThe integrated robot control and wire

feed systems and current generator

not only result in faster data transfer,

but also offer more options for saving

detailed welding data. TAWERS includes

a welding data monitor device as

standard for setting limit values for

certain specific welding parameters,

such as current power, voltage and wire

feed rate. If these values are exceeded,

the system sends a signal so that the

operator can react in time. The welding data

monitor system also stores the data in a .log

file for analysis or which can be supplied

with the product as a quality assessment.

Panasonic also provides the option of

recording the arc-welding pattern with an

interval of 5 seconds and saving this data

to an external unit. This information can be

used to adjust the settings for maximum

performance.

The monitoring technology on the new

TAWERS welding robots is fully integrated,

removing the need for any external sensors,

data control and additional wires.

Panasonic’s TAWERS welding robot comes in

two versions, with reaches of 1000 and 1400

mm or 1600, 1800 and 1900 mm.

Welding process control system as standard

vervolg van pag.1....Tests carried out on products of selected clients who

use the current generation of welding robots have

driven down cycle times by 40%.

Page 3: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

3V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

In order to optimise the transport of wire between barrel and

robot (or roll and torch), Valk Welding has supplied the wire

dispensing systems of the American company Wire Wizard

for many years. Over the years, the range has been strongly

expanded, allowing the wire dispensing systems to continue

to be used with the most common robots and brands of weld

wire. There are also various new solutions with which allow

such things as the end of the weld wire to be recorded and the

dispensing speed measured.

the service company

wir

e w

iza

rd

wel

d w

ire

dis

pen

sin

g s

yst

ems

Valk WeldingStaalindustrieweg 15Postbus 60NL-2950 AB Alblasserdam

The NetherlandsTel. +31 (0)78 69 170 11Fax +31 (0)78 69 195 15

[email protected]

PRODUCT CATALOG

WELDING ROBOT INTEGRATION

Quality productsBy purchasing in bulk, Valk Welding can supply high quality products with a very beneficial price/quality ratio. All the materials for welding wire supplied by Valk Welding are cer-tified.

A wide range of productsValk Welding is considered on of the largest supplier of wel-ding wire, welding accessories, and welding robots in the Benelux.

More than 40 years of experience in the welding industryValk Welding has been involved for more than four decades in development, sale, maintenance and service of products for the welding industry with an emphasis on robot auto-mation and accessories. Day in day out, Valk Welding relies on its extensive in-house know-how and hands-on expe-rience.

WELDING CONSUMABLES

Ed Cooper, co-developer of the Wire Wizard range

and president of the Marathon Weld Group,

at the Valk Welding stand during the

Schweissen & Schneiden fair.

At the Schweissen & Schneiden fair, Vlak

Welding also revealed that it would be sel-

ling and distributing this range of systems to

Europe and Russia. There was also plenty of

space at the stand to display and present the

systems.

In principle, the range has been developed to

bridge the gap between barrel and robot (or

roll and torch). To this end, special polymer

hoses and ceramic couplings have been

developed which allow large distances to be

bridged, while keeping frictional resistance

to a minimum. The cone, ceramic inlet piece,

wire guide and connector for the wire motor

form units, all of which come with a conical

splay in order to simplify the dispensing of

the wire. As the range comes with various

auxiliary elements, complete sets can be

assembled for all brands of robots and weld

wire. The power of the system is that the

adapters continue to fit on a standard quick

coupling, allowing the system to be rapidly

assembled and disassembled.

One innovation displayed by Valk Welding

during the fair was the pneumatic wire

dispensing unit PFA (Pneumatic Feed Assist),

a valuable solution for feeding longer lengths

of weld wire. This makes it possible to feed

weld wire virtually friction-free from a fixed

position (weld wire barrel) to the wire feed

unit. Lengths of 30 metres and more can be

handled without problem.

Also new is the wire feed sensor (HHSS),

which records the dispensing speed. This is

suitable for wire of between 0.30 and 12.5

mm in diameter.

In addition to the wire dispensing systems,

the Wire Wizard range also includes all sorts

of logistics aids, such as trolleys for moving

or lifting the heavy barrels.

In brief, this is a complete and extensive

range of systems, for which a 24-page pro-

duct catalogue is available.

suits all brands of welding robot

Ask for the Wire Wizard products sup-ply catalogue at [email protected]

Welding process control system as standard

Wire Wizard offers peak wire feed performance for welding robots

Wire Wizard offers peak wire feed performance for welding robots

Page 4: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

Valk Welding launched its first standard

booth in 2000. It was fitted on a fixed

frame to which the welding robot, control

panel, workholding table and housing

could be directly mounted. The reduced

assembly time and standardisation of

equipment brought cost savings that

meant a reduced investment threshold

for a wider user base. The design has

been expanded over time by Valk Welding

to include different forms. The current

plan extends to six different types of

booth, both with and without manipula-

tors, including two with work-holding

tables. The main difference lies in the

shape of the frame.

In the latest development, Valk Welding

set out to develop a standardised

frame. The “One base frame” provides

a C-shaped universal frame that can

be configured for a range of holding

options, freeing the operator from an

imposed, rigid layout. The operator can

switch workholding options if production

requirements so dictate, without having

to procure a new system. The attached

diagram shows some possible layouts.

The booth can be delivered pre-assem-

bled and so can be brought quickly

online. In addition, the frame can be

moved as a single unit, resulting in

significant time and cost savings if it is

relocated internally.

New automated welding booth mounted on

universel frame

4V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

Page 5: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

The first version of DTPS (DeskTop Program-

ming and Simulation software) was laun-

ched almost ten years ago, and since then

this tool has established itself as the most

popular offline automated-welding program-

ming system for Panasonic welding robots.

Its success is primarily due to its functions

that are specifically focused on welding and

the benefits of offline programming and

simulation. As a result, tool lifetime is greatly

enhanced compared to a Teach Pendant

programming system.

DTPS G2 was also developed using cutting

edge techniques and methodologies, ena-

bling, in particular, powerful graphics output

(OpenGL), a new, even more user-friendly

interface and more opportunities for impor-

ting different 3D formats. Integration with

existing CAD systems is enhanced as a result,

and fully completed designs can now be used

as the blueprint for welding and cutting pro-

grams. In addition, by working in very close

contact with engineers from Valk Welding,

the software writers at Panasonic have, with

the latest version, created a system that

meets the expectations of users in Europe.

DTPS G2 is now written entirely in the Glo-

bal 2 programming language to gain the full

benefits of the Global 2 controller.

DTPS G2 upgraded

on Global 2 and TAWERS

The DTPS programming software has continuously evolved

during the last few years and has undergone a number of up-

dates, including DTPS II, which has expanded the program’s

functionalities. The latest version has recently been launched.

The program is now called DTPS G2 and is based entirely on the

Global 2 controller and the new TAWERS welding robot system.

5V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

• Designs can be rolled out to new entities, e.g. Composite Curve.

• Users can work entirely in Solid mode, e.g. for designs and measurements.

• Installation editor including standard components.

• Weld line programming with automatic spacer insertion.

• Several initial positions can be defined for a number of workstations.

• Program edit using the G2 programming language.

• Increased file management options.

• Global 2 file transfer via Ethernet.

• Readout of the robot backup data.

• AVI file export.

Below are some of the more significant new functions:

Page 6: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

2,000 to 5,000 trailers manufactured each year

Wielton is a relatively new company

with 300 employees that “transforms”

western European semi-trailers. Wielton

installed a production line to manufac-

ture its own semi-trailers over ten years

ago. The annual growth in production

output is clear testimony to the success

of this venture and today has reached

2,000 semi-trailers a year, giving

Wielton a well deserved 22% share of

the Polish semi-trailer market. Wielton

is now looking to increase production

to 5,000 units a year to take advantage

of its sales outlets in other European

countries. This enlarged capacity is to be

delivered in large part by robot welding

procedures.

According to the director of Wielton,

Valk Welding was one of only a few

companies in a position to successfully

carry through such a project.

Valk Welding was contacted a year ago by

Polish company Wielton, which wanted to

know if Valk Welding could supply a number

of robot welding systems for lorry bodies.

Valk Welding had already supplied robot

welding systems for similar items, e.g. for

Geesink Norba in Emmeloord. Yet whereas

Geesink Norba only wanted to use the robot

welding system for end and side boards, the

director of Wielton had bigger plans. Wielton

wanted to weld the end, side and top boards

as well as the whole of the assembled body,

by robot. Such bulky and heavy items obvi-

ously require heavy-duty manipulators and

infrastructures if the robots were to be able

to reach into the furthest nooks and cran-

nies.

A discrete solution to replace line productionThe four robot welding systems are installed

at different production areas and are

brought into operation successively to weld

discrete components, side and upper boards

and fully assembled bodies. Phase one was

carried out during the first months of this

year as a learning facility. Since then, this

welding robot is used on a conveyor line

and three clamping surfaces, in particular

for welding hinge components. Phase two

involved implementing the crane for trailer

front-end welding operations. Here too, the

welding robot is also located on a track to

allow it access to two clamping surfaces.

The third robotic system welds steel and

aluminium bulkheads. The design in this case

is rather special as the robots hang from a

5-metre-high beam and their heights can be

adjusted, which has increased their vertical

radius by 3 metres. The beams travel along a

50-metre track, giving access to four clamp-

ing surfaces in total.

Hugh projectThe fourth robotic system is the most

daunting, as it is this system that welds the

Valk Welding has delivered no less than four robot-controlled systems to

Wielton, the Polish trailer manufacturer, who now expects to double output

over the next few years. The largest of these four projects was for a system

that could accommodate a complete lorry body in a jig orientated between two

10-tonne manipulators. Longitudinal, transverse and vertical control gives the

robots the flexibility they need to reach every position in the lorry body. This

plus the three other booths make it the largest project ever undertaken by Valk

Welding.

Valk Welding completes

a large automated welding project for Polish trailer manufacturer

Wielton

Valk Welding completes

a large automated welding project for Polish trailer manufacturer

Wielton

Page 7: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

full body assemblies. The side walls and end

board are first placed in a jig, which can be

rotated by two 10-tonne manipulators. They

are put into their final position in the jig and

welded in a single cycle with no initial weld

joint. For the moment, the booth structure is

in the finishing stage where the jig designed

by Wielton still has to be refined and tested

before the booth can be used. In a few

months, around 15 standard bodies and

dump bodies will be assembled and welded

every day.

Putting west European knowledge and experience to useWielton is only too aware that it must rely

upon the skills and dedication of its suppliers

if it is to bring its ambitious goals to frui-

tion. The company examined all the stud-

ies, designs and offers with suppliers from

all across Europe before embarking on the

project. Wielton’s director, Tylkowski, opted

for Valk Welding because we were convinced

right from the start that this investment

would reap rewards and were always think-

ing ahead to working with Wielton.

The next issue of Valk Melding will include a

new article on this association with Wielton,

as well as an interview with Mister Tylkowski.

7V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

Valk Welding completes

a large automated welding project for Polish trailer manufacturer

Wielton

Valk Welding completes

a large automated welding project for Polish trailer manufacturer

Wielton

Page 8: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

Fanuc robots increase options for material

handling applications

Following Nachi robots, Valk Handling is now also going to

bring Fanuc robots into its material handling projects. The

scheme to use Fanuc systems covers a diverse range of ro-

bots that can be applied to a wider field of applications. The

diverse range of robots, outstanding programming capabi-

lities and the fact that Fanuc is the world’s largest robotics

manufacturer were decisive factors that led Valk Handling

to select it as its third supplier of robots. Fanuc enjoys

particular acclaim for its progress in the field of “machine

vision”, which integrates product packing and handling with

a camera that can accurately locate the product being pro-

cessed. This removes the need for the product to be placed

in a pre-programmed position, thereby significantly cutting

the work load of the encoder. Valk Handling sees this as an

important factor for cost effectiveness in the future.

8V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

Fanucincrease options for material

handling applications

Fanuc robots increase options for material

handling applications

Allied to this is the fact that the number of

handling applications in our company con-

tinues to grow. This independent division of

Valk Welding has gained extensive know-how

in the field of grippers and logistics systems

over the last few years. The group now has

10 engineers working full time to devise

and develop material handling and welding

programmes.

Fanuc’s Roboguide software package also

provides a high-quality offline simulation and

programming tool that is compatible with all

Fanuc robots. Full handling automatisation

projects can be simulated and programmed

for the robots, and external work cells can be

integrated into the process. Anton Ackermans

is one of the specialists in charge of this

programme at Valk Handling. He is a junior

project manager, has a perfect grasp of robot

programming, created the Custom Made

Robot software and has overseen a large

number of cutting and welding applications.

In addition to all this, it was he who deve-

loped a material handling process for Alcoa

based on a Fanuc robot.

Valk Handling will be converting Alcoa’s

pressed aluminium extrusion machining

process in Druenen to fully automated

operation. Alcoa produces, amongst others,

aluminium parts for the automobile industry.

The extrusion in question is the roll bar for

the rear passenger bay of the BMW 3 Series

Sports saloon. The extrusion is sawn, milled,

sandblasted and palletised. The machine is

currently loaded by hand, but Alcoa wants

this operation to become an automated task

performed by a robot. For this project, Valk

Handling will install a Fanuc M16 material

loading robot, which will take the ex-

truded sections from a cut-to-length

station and transfer them to a milling

station and a reeling unit before

loading them on to pallets. The robot will

also be required to remove waste, sandblast

the extruded sections and place protective

sheeting over the pallets for transport. It

will include a double gripping mechanism

for handling the extruded sections and a

separate gripper for applying the protective

cover. The robot will have total freedom of

movement along a 10-metre track to be able

to access all the machining stations.

Page 9: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

Handling robot at work at the confectioners

The robot installed by Valk Handling oper-

ates next to the conveyor belt, where it

pours jam, chocolate, vanilla and cream into

pound-cake moulds. The moulds are about

five centimetres thick and leave the oven

on conventional baking trays at a rate of 3

trays per minute. The robot has a four-nozzle

distribution head supplied by a system of

pumps, and applies the product in patterns

as the belt advances. It can do this because

the belt has been integrated into the system

as an additional axis. Valk Handling pre-

programmed around a hundred patterns.

Staff also followed a training program and

can now add patterns to the database.

Alex Supèr, manager of Bakkersland

Bunschoten, says that using a robot for

such an application is unique: “A robot is

a more cost-effective and flexible solution

than a dispensing machine. Plus, dispensing

machines are more difficult to program. The

introduction of the handling robot comes

as a real relief to our staff. The physical load

that had to be carried when using the pistol

was really too high. It also meant we were

able to make savings as well, of course. The

main benefit, though, is that we can ensure

consistent quality and bring out a wider

range of products.”

The confectionery industry has a reputation for being labour inten-

sive. An increasing number of confectionery items are being produced

in highly mechanised factories, most of them are located in the

Netherlands within large groups. The fierce price wars between Dutch

supermarkets are putting profit margins in this sector under enor-

mous strain and companies are now having to look at economies of

scale, centralised distribution and automated systems as the route

to success. The sector also appears to have found a flexible partner

in the shape of the robot, at least that is the impression following

the recent installation of a robot by Valk Handling at Bakkersland

Bunschoten West BV, formerly Neerlandia Banket, in the town

of Bunschoten

Neerlandia Banket (Bakkersland

Bunschoten West BV) produces butter

cakes, biscuits and various pound cakes

for Europe’s supermarket chains. Since

it was taken over by Bakkersland Banket

last year, dispatch and overheads have

been centralised and the company

is now exclusively production based.

Increased efficiency should not have to

be through increased numbers of person-

nel. Furthermore, better quality and effi-

ciency are always at the forefront of our

concerns. The introduction of a handling

robot illustrates this perfectly.

the recent installation of a robot by Valk Handling at Bakkersland

Bunschoten West BV, formerly Neerlandia Banket, in the town

9V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

20

06

- N

R.

1

Handling robot at work at the confectioners

Page 10: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

VMG was looking for an alternative to its heavy panel and post balustrades, which were judged to look cumber-some and rough-hewn from the outside because of the thick welds. VMG found the answer in laser-cut tubular shapes and laser welding, a technique that gives a very fine, weld and does not require finishing. Tubular shapes also offer a product that is much lighter and, significantly, much more elegant than a panel balustrade.

Application of innovative technology gets the resultValk Welding supplied a track-mounted robot and incorporated all the compo-nents, all the safety features into the control system, and also programmed the DTPS. VMG Technical Manager Christiaan Alofs explains why they chose Valk Welding to integrate the weld-ing robot and provide the control system: “Valk Welding has supplied us with a number of MIG welding robots. Through our collaboration with them, we saw how they have a complete understanding of their own products and their application. This makes Valk Welding an invalu-able partner with whom you can work closely to bring projects such as this one to a successful conclu-sion. Additionally Valk Welding met and exceeded the practical and

technical requirements of the project on time . The unique combination of innovative technology ,intimate product knowledge and attention to customer requirements at all levels make Valk Welding an ideal artner for this type of project .”

DTPS plays a vital roleWhen a series of balustrades are required it unlikely that they will have the same dimensions throughout. Staff at VMG check the dimensionsional requirements on the worksite, before the company’s engineers then process them in the drafting office and convert them into data that can be used in

production. Christiaan Alofs explains: “The DTPS software package plays a vital role in this respect. DTPS can also be used to adapt and copy programs, in addition to offline programming. This means that changes can be applied quickly without online learning. The precision it gives offline is significant.”

The laser beam is narrow and gives off an enormous amount of energy over a small surface area. As a result, the posi-tion of the laser welding beam has to be precise . The placement of the beam is also determined by the constancy of the material, by the device and the clamp-ing. A laser welding robot that moves

along a longitudinal axis also calls for special care in achieving accept-able results

A greater field of applicationThis assembly method whilst more expensive than for MIG weld-ing systems results in increased production efficiency. This technol-ogy is ready to be applied to more applications. After this project, Valk Welding envisages many new appli-cations in other sectors, for exam-ple RVS kitchen appliances, kitchen utensils and household items in general.

VMG (Versteeg Metaal Groep) is a balcony and

gallery balustrade manufacturer in Heusden for

whom Valk Welding has integrated a robot into a

laser welding booth to work on one-off designer

balusters.

This exclusive product is known under the name of

VMG strip balustrade. This is the only case of this

technique being used in this sector and has quickly

led to growing demand from architects who appre-

ciate the aesthetic look and functionality of the

product.

10V

AL

K M

EL

DIN

G

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

VMG transforms the humble

balustrade into a designer item

with a Valk Welding laser

VMG transforms the humble

balustrade into a designer item

with a Valk Welding laser

Page 11: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

The greater precision offered by CNC plasma cutting gener-ators is continually narrowing the quality gap between this method and laser cutting. The significantly lower costs involved in plasma cutting make it an increasingly attrac-tive alternative for a range of applications, especially in the automotive sector, metal construction industry and shipbuilding. The German company Kjellberg has designed a number of new CNC plasma cutting generators that

provide greater guide system accuracy and are perfect for use with Panasonic welding robots. Valk Welding has successfully used these generators in a number of applica-tions that involve cutting robots. The company already uses a permanent test facility at Plasma Solutions in the Belgian town of Eke. Plasma Solutions tests, sells and main-tains Kjellberg plasma cutting generators in the Benelux

region.

Kjellberg’s latest CNC plasma cutting gener-

ator, the Hi-Focus 80i, has been specially

designed for robot-aided applications. It is

operated via a database holding the 500

most frequently used parameters. When

using the machine, the operator just has to

choose the right material and thickness and

the system selects the pressure of the gas,

the torch spacing, ignition speed and height,

and the piercing height and time. Existing

settings can be optimised as required and

stored, and special custom settings can also

be added. The Hi-Focus 80i is also able to

cut complex profiles both at right angles and

other angles. Setting adjustments need to

be carried out gradually as the settings can

be programmed in point-to-point mode via

a Teach Pendant or offline using the DTPS 2

programming system.

Valk Welding has had a Panasonic robot

installed on a permanent basis at the

premises of Plasma Solutions in Eke, Belgium,

for carrying out extensive tests on special

cutting applications.

The benefit of this move is that all the

cutting generator types are immedi-

ately available with the robot can being

programmed by Plasma Solutions personnel.

This means that both Companies are in a

position to use their respective knowledge

and systems to the best

advantage.

Valk Welding believes

that plasma cutting

systems are being used

in an increasing number

of areas of application,

mainly because cutting

and welding are being

rolled into the same

process. Valk Welding

regularly interchanges

the plasma torch and

the welding torch to create openings and

counter parts from tubes, which are then

welded by the same robot. In most cases,

this work is on thick-walled materials

intended for boilers, heat exchangers, etc,

but the same technique can also used for

structural steel, extruded sections and

tubulars.

Kjellberg HiFocus 80i CNC-

Plasma cutter

The technology used in the HiFocus

ensures high constancy and repeata-

bility on cut parts. This high quality

results in:

- Low tolerance capacity and usually

unfinished cutting surfaces

- High precision for acute angle and low

radius work

- Small diameter hole cutting capability

- No swarf or swarf that can easily be

removed from thick structural steel

11V

AL

K M

AIL

ING

2

00

6 -

NR

. 1

Valk Welding installs

Kjellberg CNC plasma cutting systems

Valk Welding installs

Kjellberg CNC plasma cutting systems

Page 12: 2006-01-Valk Mailing-EN

royal visit to Dulasta

Colophon

‘Valk Mailing’ is a twice-yearly publication of Valk Welding B.V. and is sent free to all business

relations. If you want to receive this publication in the future, please send an email to

[email protected]

Valk Welding B.V.Staalindustrieweg 15

P.O. Box 60NL-2950 AB Alblasserdam

Tel. +31 78 69 170 11Fax +31 78 69 195 [email protected]

Composition and production:Steenkist Communicatie, NL-Haarlem

[email protected] Valk Welding B.V.

Photography:Photo Schievink, NL-Papendrecht

Archive Valk Welding B.V.Steenkist Communicatie, NL-Haarlem

beursAgendaMetapro 2006

15 - 18 February 2006 Brussels Expo, Brussels (B)

www.metapro.be Stand number 3212, hall 3

Techni-Show 2006 14 to 18 March 2006

Jaarbeurs, Utrecht (NL) www.technishow.nl

Stand number B076, hall 9

Industrie Soudage 200627 to 31 March 2006

Villepinte, Paris (Fr)www.industrie-expo.com

Stand number C 088, hall 5A

Contact us now at [email protected] to receive your entry badges free.

Valk Welding’s new web site has recently

come online, providing what Valk Welding

expects will be even better contact with

its current and future business relations.

The new website offers an improved,

more straightforward browser layout

with a new design and several new func-

tions . For example, you can sign up to

our news bulletin by e-mail and receive

regular product updates in your mailbox.

You will also find detailed rundowns of

the latest Valk Welding projects , a “filler

wire” database, and soon you will be able

to place orders over the Internet using a personal access code. Find us at: www.valkwelding.com

online with Valk Welding

royal visit to DulastaMid last year, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands visited Dulasta Metaalbewerking in Staphorst as part of her silver jubilee celebrations. The Queen showed particular interest in the welding robots delivered by Valk Welding to the sheet metal supplier. The management team of both Dulasta and Valk Welding felt especially honoured, of course, by the Queen’s

Valk Welding

has decided to

change to the

use of recycleable

250 and 500 kg

drums for its bulk

supplies of weld-

ing wire. The new

Eco-Drum has been

designed to be free

of steel hoops and

wood bodies, result-

ing in a fully recyclable

container. The ultra-precise

winding system means that the inner card-

board spool is surplus to requirements, so

the guide sleeve for the wire feed line can

be attached straight on to the cover of the

drum. An additional wire-feed cone is only

needed when a Wire Booster or Pneumatic

Feed Assist is used such as the Wire Wizard

(also available from Valk Welding ) to ensure

the optimal efficient feeding. Sling clamps

replace the upper and lower lifting hoops to

facilitate easy handling.

Environmentally friendly packaging added to

the legendary wire quality further distances

VLK welding wire from others.

(For further details, please contact Valk

Weldings Henk Visser +31 78 69 170 11)

Valk Welding switches to environmentally friendly Eco-Drums

250 and 500 kg

drums for its bulk

supplies of weld-

ing wire. The new

Eco-Drum has been

designed to be free

of steel hoops and

wood bodies, result-

ing in a fully recyclable

container. The ultra-precise