130 Kaimanawa St, Palmerston North, New Zealand Phone: 64 6 355 4550 Fax: 64 6 353 0351 Direct Contact Information Send E-mail LASER CUTTING With the breakthrough of laser technology setting higher levels and standards of production for the steel manufacturing industry, ETECH have firmly capitalized on those advances by offering a comprehensive range of laser-cut parts. This is in addition to the folding, inserting and welding of components for the agricultural, aviation, electronic, architectural, automotive, signage and transport industries. With the arrival of 1999, ETECH was making plans to diversify its main core business into other areas of expertise, a calculated move away from a sole reliance on the dairy industry. The time was right, especially in terms of technological advancements within the marketplace, to make the acquisition of a laser cutter a lucrative and, with regards to manufacturing, a flexible purchase. To ensure a quick project turnaround and to maximize efficiency, ETECH invested in what is arguably the world’s leading laser cutting machine from TRUMPF from Germany. The first machine ordered, the L3030 Laser Cutter, was obtained in 1999 and can process mild and stainless steel, aluminium and brass. The different metal types, because of their inherent characteristics, can be cut to various thicknesses—16mm for mild steel, 12mm for stainless steel, 8mm for aluminium or 3mm for brass. Of equal importance, the maximum sheet size loaded into and held by the TRUMPF at any one time is 1.5 x 3.0 metres. The impressive speed at which the varying metal types are cut, using for example a base sheet thickness of 3mm, can result in spectacular output levels of up to 3.6 metres per minute. In 2004 ETECH added another TRUMPF machine, the L3050 Laser Cutter, to complement the well-performed L3030. The new machine has benefited production by further increasing the cutting range of metal thicknesses as well as improving processing capabilities across the board. Where metal cutting thicknesses are concerned, the L3050 can process 16mm mild steel, 20mm stainless steel, 12mm aluminium or 4mm brass. The processing of 3mm varieties now has an improved ratio, increased from 3.6 metres per minute to 4.9 metres per minute. NESTING Before the intricate task of laser cutting can begin in earnest, two-dimensional representations of the components in question have to be laid out on the same sheet of metal in a computer-based procedure referred to as Nesting. The final computer design, or Nest, consists of programmed details that specify and optimize the arrangement of the individual items in such a manner that, when fed into the TRUMPF Laser Cut machine, the initially blank metal sheets are processed with lightning-fast efficiency. As used by in-house programmers at ETECH, the nesting software allows their computers to automate what would otherwise be a laborious process and facilitates the on-screen construction of laser tables. These house diagrammatic views of components arranged within a rectangular sheet that mimics the shape and size of the blank metal sheet later transformed by the TRUMPF Laser Cutter. If the components to be cut are rectangular in size, then less metal waste occurs; on the other hand, should the components have complex outer profiles, they are benefited by the more sophisticated free-nesting process. In this instance the actual border of the component is used as the basis of the layout rather than the circumscribing rectangle. This greatly improves material utilization when producing these more complex, non-rectangular parts. During the placement of items within a nesting module, the different sheet edges and web widths have to be considered. This means that as few laser cuts as possible are used to optimize and make for an efficient output when processing nested sheets with many individual parts. This type of efficiency remains an important consideration especially where expensive metals are concerned. The cost-effective use of metal, producing as little scrap as possible, helps keep prices at competitive levels for both ETECH and the customer. This application of smart technology was highlighted by ETECH’s recent completion of a project where, after scrutiny during the nesting process, an order for printer mounting units resulted in a streamlined output with savings that reduced scrap to a bare minimum. PRESS BRAKING & INSERTING To complement its laser cutting services, ETECH offer a full range of Press Braking facilities. The latest technology from Germany and Japan is used to exact a high degree of precision in the bending and folding of all types of metal. Press Brake machines offer a broad range of production options—from the forming of thin sheet metal components for the electronics industry, to large plate structures made to order for the agricultural sector. From a machine point of view, the accurate, high-quality output of the modern CNC Press Brake is evidenced by a supremely fast set-up time and the ability to complete numerous tooling compositions within a single job. This results in a subsequent reduction in handling time and a minimizing of the risk of damage to components. In terms of precision, the Press Brake is ideally suited to producing components that have a small radii and particularly short flanges. Of the two Press Brake machines presently in use at ETECH, the more recently acquired TRUMPF V200 can apply a powerful pressing force of 200 ton. Its high stroke length and accompanying throat depth make it perfect for forming body panels for the automotive industry. It also does an excellent job of making cabinets of varying shapes and sizes for the electrical sector. An additional benefit of using the V200 is its ability to incorporate off-line programming to run simulations of folding operations. The simulated task helps to ensure that customer specifications can be met without incurring undue risk or the possible chance of miscalculation. In many ways a one-stop shop for a variety of metal design services, ETECH are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of inserting and welding options for clients who have either general or more specific job requirements. Inserting, whereby small fastening devices are attached to metal sheets to provide a base for the placement of other components, is often intricate work. In addition, the company has acquired a solid reputation over the years for its various welding projects, all completed to strong and exacting standards. In essence, inserting can be defined as a process where threaded fasteners are installed into thin sheet metal, thereby allowing the easy attachment of secondary components, such as printed circuit boards, protective Perspex covers and the like. ETECH uses two types of fastener. The clinch fastener is installed into sheet metal from a 0.75mm thickness on up, and the installation is achieved by applying a squeezing force to the fastener head. This action causes the metal to displace the host material and finally form around the mounting hole. The other type of fastener, the so-called nut sert, is installed into sheet metal from a 0.5mm thickness on up, and is ideally used where the access is limited to one side. Both types of fastener possess the same insertion range—from M3 to M10. With a full range of welding services on offer, ETECH specialize in TIG, MIG and ARC welding methods. Recent examples of contracted welding work include control cabinets for the food industry and sturdy aluminium housings for mobility devices. TOP Home | Profile | Fabrication | Laser | Downloads © Content 2005 - ETECH Industries NZ Ltd © design - Digital Resin