Kaltenbach, the sole UK agent for Behringer GmbH billet and plate cutting bandsaws and a selection of mitre cutting bandsaws, has announced that Behringer SC (Speed-Cutting) advanced sawing technology is now available across the entire range of HBM high performance, straight cutting bandsaws as a factory fitted, integrated SC pack option.

Behringer claims that the addition of the pack results in a 30% performance gain over the industry’s fastest straight cutting precision bandsaws. In fact, Behringer reports that HBM machines using TCT blades to their full capability can achieve cutting cycle times up to seven times faster than industry norms under continuous production conditions, while maximising blade life and overall machine performance. Bi-metal blades can also be readily used with HBM saws but with an attendant reduction in performance.

The HBM generation of Behringer bandsaws were formally launched in the UK in 2002 with three machine material capacities offered of 540mm diameter, 440mm diameter and 370mm diameter with ferrous and non-ferrous options. Continual ongoing development has achieved exponential increases in cutting speed in parallel with advances in TCT blade technology. Today, all HBM machines have a fully enclosed housing which serves to attenuate process noise to low levels and assist in swarf and coolant containment.

For UK customers using HBM machines, Kaltenbach reports an evolutionary rise in productivity gains. In 2003, HBM bandsaws were reporting 60% gains over industry norms, cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals including tough alloys. By 2006 the HBM440 ALU, aluminium bandsaw produced a 70% gain on top of the 60% gain already achieved from the earlier generation, cutting 160mm diameter alloys in 13 seconds. By 2007, an HBM540 installation was reported as cutting 508mm diameter aluminium bar in under 45 seconds and by early 2011, 255mm diameter titanium 6AL4V is being cut in 15 minutes.

Behringer SC bandsawing technology was first introduced in the UK in 2010 with a new top of the range model HBM400 SC, claiming a seven fold gain in cutting speed over some conventional bandsaws. For example, conventional machines typically cut 150mm diameter 16MnCr5 material using a bi-metal blade at an output speed of 80cm²/minute in around 150 seconds per cut, or with a TCT blade, at a rate of approximately 130cm²/minute. The HBM400 SC makes the same cut at 500cm²/minute per cut, taking 21 second to complete. The SC pack is claimed to produce similar cutting performance across the entire range of HBM straight cutting production bandsaws.

Behringer’s SC pack option introduces a pumped, specially filtered flood coolant system that achieves high penetration coolant deep into the cutting face under optimised, recycled clean fluid cutting conditions. Also featured is IBC (Intelligent Blade Control) – a fully integrated blade management and control system that influences cut accuracy, blade life and overall cycle time. IBC itself comprises: new blade controlled run-in; dynamic cutting, which auto senses saw blade load and controls blade velocity and down-feed; saw band deflection monitoring; and material retraction which preserves cut face integrity and avoids any potential blade damage. In addition, servo driven ballscrew down feed technology and frequency controlled drive systems achieve smooth, infinitely variable cutting speeds and advanced swarf conveyor options – significantly impacting on overall cutting performance and blade life.

TCT blades work best when worked hard and under such operating conditions, every detail of bandsaw functionality is critical to the cutting performance. Behringer has developed the new saws with this in mind – operating reliably and productively in extreme conditions.

Two new Behringer 800mm diameter or 800mm square capacity HBM bandsaws have been launched and are available in the UK through Kaltenbach. The HBM800A is for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and the HBM800 ALU has been designed specifically for the high speed cutting demands of aluminium and aluminium alloys and uses a high performance 22kW frequency controlled motor.

Both models have the latest versions of Behringer’s servo drive and ballscrew down feed systems to achieve precision and a smooth adjustable blade feed, which also enhances cut face finish, aids chip removal and extends blade life. Efficient swarf management options are also provided.

Kaltenbach
www.kaltenbach.co.uk