When it comes to angle and flat bar production, precision and efficiency are critical. But it isn’t easy to ensure quality when production deadlines are tight. Plus, while detail components make up the smallest tonnage of any fabricator’s workload, they often demand the most time and labor.
This is why Southern Metal Fabricators (SMF) combines cutting-edge technology with over 33 years of expertise to deliver unparalleled quality and speed for structural steel fabrication. Our Peddinghaus Anglemaster AFPS-643/Q is an advanced automation system designed to handle the toughest demands of angle and flat bar processing.
This powerful equipment enables us to support diverse industries, including:
- Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing: Fabricating durable steel components for farming machinery.
- Aggregate Handling Manufacturing: Producing precision parts for conveyors and handling systems.
- Transmission and Lattice Tower Manufacturing: Ensuring structural stability with detailed steel components.
- Barge and Ship Building: Providing high-quality, corrosion-resistant steel parts for marine construction.
- Stadium Seating Manufacturing: Delivering precision steel frames for seating structures.
- Overhead Door Frame Manufacturing: Producing reliable and consistent steel components for industrial doors.
Double punch tooling, single-cut shearing, optional part stamping, or carbide scribing… This blog will share how new automation can streamline these processes for detailed components.
How Automation Streamlines Angle and Flat Bar Processing
Minimizing Tool Changes with Multiple Punch Sizes
Angle and flat bar processing often relies on dedicated tooling for different angle and flat bar sizes. It also requires sufficient punch capacity to handle the material thickness, precise positioning capabilities for accurate hole placement, and the ability to adjust punch tooling quickly to accommodate various hole sizes and configurations.
Automation can address these requirements and key processing considerations such as:
- Material Size Range: You need the ability to specify the minimum and maximum dimensions of both angle and flat bar profiles that need to be punched, including leg sizes for angles.
- Punching Capacity: This means you need a punch force that is sufficient to handle the material thickness you will be working with.
- Punch tooling: This requires selecting appropriate punches and dies for the specific hole sizes and shapes required, including options for different angle profiles.
- Positioning Accuracy: Ensure your machine has high precision capabilities for consistent hole placement on both flat and angled surfaces.
- Angle Processing Features: For angle punching, look for a machine that can handle different angle leg sizes and has tooling designed to punch on the inside, outside, or both sides of the angle.
SMF has the structural steel processing expertise and the automation to meet the above criteria and streamline processes that were previously performed manually. The Anglemaster is equipped with double-punch tooling, allowing us to use multiple punch sizes without constant tool changes. This minimizes downtime and increases throughput, enabling faster production of detailed components with consistent quality.
The Anglemaster comes with two available punch sizes per leg on 3” centers to eliminate tool change with parts that have up to 2 hole sizes per leg of angle. For parts programmed with multiple holes at 3” or 75 mm centers, the Anglemaster creates two holes at once with a single press punch.
Efficient Processing with Fast, Precise, Single-Cut Shear Tooling
For structural steel fabrication, quality and speed are both essential to your project efficiency. SMF can process multiple angles efficiently with our single-cut shear tooling. Whether your project requires exacting cuts or a high volume of components, we deliver speed and precision at every step.
Plus, the Anglemaster offers a powerful, 230-ton single-cut shear. The 643/Q also processes angles up to 6” x 6” x ⅝” faster and more efficiently. All of the options allow us to cut to length angle and flat stock. It also eliminates the slug normally created by traditional, double-cut shear mechanisms.
Continuous, Reliable Production With Roller Measurement©
Precision is non-negotiable in structural steel detailing, which is why SMF’s automation includes Roller Measurement© technology. This feature ensures consistent, repeatable results throughout production, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring every part meets your specifications.
Roller Measurement is the standard for accelerating production. It processes piece after piece without having to reload a carriage or other feed mechanism. This also improves accuracy with two precision roller disks at the machine entry and exit.
Additionally, the Peddinghaus Roller Feed measurement system maximizes contact with the material at all times. This Roller Feed technology ensures a constant roll and an accurate measurement, given deviations in the material.
Value-Added Marking Options for Detailed Components
SMF goes beyond cutting and shaping by offering optional SignoScript marking capabilities. These features allow us to stamp or scribe part numbers, assembly instructions, or other essential details directly onto your components. The result? Easier assembly and reduced errors on-site.
How SignoScript’s carbide scribing works: The SignoScript layout marking attachment eliminates human error in manual layout methods. Complete information is maintained throughout blasting, galvanizing, and painting processes. SignoScript’s carbide scribing enables part marking for a large variety of shapes, sizes, depths, and orientations.
Accelerate Angle and Flat Bar Production Without Sacrificing Quality
By combining the capabilities of the Anglemaster AFPS-643/Q with our decades of experience in custom metal fabrication, SMF is uniquely positioned to handle even the most challenging structural steel detailing needs.
For angle and flat bar processing, our automation provides:
- Faster production timelines without compromising quality.
- Reduced material waste through precise cutting and punching.
- Enhanced accuracy for complex projects with intricate requirements.
Why should you partner with SMF for structural steel processing and custom metal fabrication?
At Southern Metal Fabricators, we understand that every detailed component matters to your structural steel fabrication and assembly processes. With our advanced Anglemaster automation solution, we can keep your production running continuously while ensuring consistent quality and faster output. Visit our capabilities page to learn more or contact us today to give us a chance to say, “Yes, we can do that!”
