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Posted September 21st, 2009
Press Release number: 01444SHEAR
All new ACF Multiflex Cornerformers from Shear-Form Machine Tools Ltd, the Coventry based sheet metal and plate working machinery supplier and sole UK representative for ACF - Engineering & Automation GmbH, Austria are now available with optional tooling to enable corners to be formed using thin mild steel or stainless steel sheet.
This new specially designed flexible tooling is available for use on all Multiflex MF25, MF50 and MF100 Cornerformers and enables fabricators to cold form corners in thin mild steel or stainless steel with material thicknesses ranging from 0,5 – 1,2 mm. It is has been specially designed for manufacturers of medical equipment, steel furniture, shelving, kitchen appliances and other white goods, where thin materials are commonly used in the fabrication of products.
Cornerformers are used to manufacture easier prototyping and small to medium batches with an advantage being that the parts sizes are unlimited and flexible.
From smallest part size of 60 mm x 60 mm up to any part size, only the corner of the part is in the cornerformer when forming corners.
As with all ACF flexible tooling a closed corner can be formed in about 13 seconds including all manual part handling time. This produces a total cycle time for a finished part (4 corners formed and sheared) of 52 sec
Robot handling of parts on cornerformers is also possible.
Using a Multiflex cornerformer is an economic alternative to a power press and tooling as well as being easier and faster to set up. The tool costs for a power press is rather expensive in comparison to the investment in a Multiflex Cornerformer.
Multiflex Cornerformers are designed to form high quality and consistent corners eliminating the need for welding and finishing works such as grinding or wire brushing.
When using zinc coated mild steel, the zinc is pressed into the material surface when formed providing a better protection against corrosion. Using deep draw material for porcelain enamelling, cold formed corners are ideal to produce the best coating quality.
When using stainless steel the cold formed corners are rigid, accurate and nice in shape and surface. Even in food industry formed corners are best as no rust will occur.
For further information:
Clive Meir, Director,
Shear-Form Machine Tools Ltd,
e-mail: clive@shear-form.co.uk
Posted November 19th, 2008
Press Release number: 01085SHEAR
Shear-Form Machine Tools Ltd, Coventry based sheet metal and plate working machinery supplier and sole UK representative for ACF Engineering & Automation GmbH, Austria has received an order for a 3-phase 415V 50Hz Multiflex MF100 Cornerformer from A. J. Wells & Son Ltd, Newport, Isle of Wight, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers specialising in vitreous enamel signage and graphics, sheet steel & cast iron and architectural panels.
An example of a sign made by A.J. Wells & Son.
The Multiflex MF100 produces quality precision aluminium, mild steel and stainless corners eliminating the need for welding and finishing. The tooling supplied with the machine enables the user to fabricate individual panels regardless of the material type, thickness and bend height. The minimum panel size in 150mm x 150mm and the maximum size is unlimited. The maximum outer radius that the machine can handle is 100mm. It can form a corner in approximately 13 seconds, allowing 9 seconds for forming and 4 seconds for handling a panel. A panel 500 mm x 500 mm would take approximately 52 seconds to produce four corners.
The order also includes two special tooling sets for outer corner radii of 6.0mm and 65mm plus a pneumatically operated oil spraying unit with an adjustable spraying time from 0.1 – 3.0 seconds.
The machine is compact being 1,573mm deep x 1,260mm wide and weighs 1,160kgs.
Alistair Wells, Chairman, A J Wells & Sons Ltd said: “We read an article about a Cornerformer being used to produce corners on bathroom fittings and the application was very similar to our requirements. We sent some vitreous enamel sheets to Shear-Form and they produced some sample corners for us. They were just what we required with no cracking or deforming of the enamel coating. Initially the machine will be used to make station signs for London Underground and Network Rail.”