| Want to Maximize Your Plate Utilization by Processing 10 Foot Wide Plates?
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Ficep recently announced their seventh model of wide plate fabrication lines that combine the operations of hole production (drilling or punching), marking and either plasma cutting or oxy-fuel burning. The new Type A 31 now processes plate up to 10 ft. in width and 65 ft. in length.
The Type A 31 plate processing system, like the other models of plate processing systems from Ficep, features a positive carriage type feed where the material is clamped and positioned in the length axis to the programmed location with precise accuracy. The functions include drilling, tapping, countersinking, marking and cutting and are positioned simultaneously in the width or y axis. |
The Type A 31 features a high performance machining type spindle that is capable up to 3000 RPM and uses a ball screw feed with encoder feedback to be able to utilize today's high performance tooling. Each spindle is complemented with a 6 or 12 position automatic tool changer.
Dual Spindles and Torches Cuts the Cycle Time in Half!
The Type A 31 is equipped with two independent spindles that can be programmed in unison or independently in the y axis to permit the engagement of both spindles in the material simultaneously to maximize the efficiency of the system. This approach doubles the drilling efficiency since both spindles can be productively engaged in the production of chips. The hole spacing between the required holes does not have to be uniform since the spacing or the movement of each spindle is independent and fully programmable. As an option, a second torch can also be added for simultaneous cutting of two parts! |
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Once the plates are drilled and marked they can be cut to size by using either oxy-fuel or plasma and then automatically unloaded. This integration of these operations provides the most efficient processing of plate components possible since stock plates are loaded on the infeed side and finished parts are automatically unloaded upon their completion without any manual operator intervention.
Interested In Drilling 1-1/16" Diameter Holes Through 3/4" Material In 4 Seconds?
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As part of its comprehensive research and development program, Ficep S. p. A. has spent considerable time and effort to perfect the utilization of carbide drilling tools for the processing of structural steel and plates. Currently, this technology has been utilized by Ficep users for the past few years with great success.
The evolution of high performance insert tools, in conjunction with sufficient horsepower, torque, RPM's, rigidity and a uniform controlled spindle feed created by a ball screw feed with encoder feedback, permits fabricators to now drill at speeds that were never before possible! Typically, the productive feed rates that are normally observed with high speed oil hole type twist drills range in the area of 3"- 4" per minute. The use of insert drills generally enables this rate to increase into a maximum feed rate of 6" per minute. The use of carbide tools now permits feed rates that are four times greater than the feed rates that fabricators are currently experiencing with high speed oil hole twist drills. |
These phenomenal feed rates are possible with a lower feed pressure than what oil hole drills currently require. This is possible by achieving spindle speeds that are considerably faster with carbide tools so the chip load per revolution is much less. This reduction in feed pressure eliminates the deflection in the section that will occur when drilling at a high feed pressure which is required for productive drilling with non-carbide tools.
Give us a call and we can provide you with a time study data that will prove why we are typically 2-3 times faster than our nearest competitor.
At Last A CNC Angle Line That Has The Versatility Of An Ironworker!
Ficep has a long tradition of expanding the capabilities of their CNC angle lines that gives their users unparalleled capabilities such as punching, drilling, marking, notching and shearing. Traditionally, the lines that Ficep has provided in the past would be configured to provide the capability that a fabricator required by implementing the designated capability with a fixed solution such as adding a marking press.
Recently Ficep has introduced the unique capability to add a third press which can be used for multiple functions. This third press, which is called the "Versa Press", is extremely versatile as it can accept self contained tooling to address applications such as: |
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PUNCH TOOLING
 Punching a second hole size or a large slot |
MARK TOOLING
 Marking with up to four different programmable stations for part marking |
NOTCH TOOLING
 Coping, notching or clipping of an angle leg to eliminate a secondary manual operation that could be required if this capability were not integrated into the Ficep A 162 angle line. |
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The versatility of this universal press system enables a fabricator to go from stock material to finished parts that not only have holes but could be marked or notched without the need to take the material from the angle line to a secondary manual operation!
Give us a call to learn more about how Ficep Corporation can introduce your firm to a level of productivity that you did not think was possible. |
Having Trouble Determining If You Need A Plate Drill Or Plate Punch With Burning Capability?
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This question is a dilemma that has confronted many fabricators over the years as they like the speed of punching but find it difficult to invest in a CNC plate processing center only to have to drill the thicker plates or those that cannot be punched. The problem is not only trying to justify the purchase of two different systems, but it is also the space that two lines would require in a plant facility.
Ficep identified this challenge over a decade ago with the development of a plate processing center that has the ability to punch and drill in the same system. Our Type B, which can accommodate plates up to 8 feet in width and over 60 feet in length, also incorporates an 14 position tool changer with each station able to punch up to 4" diameter holes. This capability permits the effective punching of plates up to 1" in thickness with unequalled productivity. |
The Type B system can also be provided with a high performance drill head with a ball screw feed and a six position automatic tool changer. These two capabilities, in conjunction with the ability to cut with either plasma or oxy-fuel and mark finished parts, makes the Ficep Type B plate processing system a truly unique plate fabrication center with the capability that our competitors will now try to copy, but we have, again, the experience factor with a ten-year head start!
The flexibility of our Type B system permits you to purchase the system today just with the punching capability now and later simply retrofit the drill head option to the system at a later date.
Many of our customers have decided on our Type A system which has just drilling, but they use carbide tooling so they can now drill typical holes in 3-4 seconds which is not much different than punching from a speed standpoint.
At Last A Drill Saw Tandem System That Permits Drilling And Sawing Simultaneously!
The typical argument against having a drill and saw in tandem (side by side layout) has always been that if the drill is working, the saw is idle and vice versa. Even with this objection, the tandem approach has proven to be the ideal solution for many fabricators as the reduction in required plant space, the need for only one operator and the lower investment cost has proven to be the optimum solution for many facilities.
Understanding the negative of the inability to permit sawing and drilling simultaneously, Ficep's software engineers have developed a powerful multi tasking solution for this application. In the Ficep "Multi Tasking" solution, when the saw is making the final cut, the next stock length automatically enters the drilling line and starts then to drill the next part. This part can be a different program, even a different depth of section, and the process occurs automatically.
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The analogy to this operation is similar to two trains that are going the same direction and sharing the same track. If they get dangerously close, the approaching train (in this case the next stock length that is being drilled) will pause until the train at the station pulls out (which in this case is the section that is being cut). Considering that the majority of holes in a section are traditionally at the ends, this hole location typically means the leading end holes will be drilled in their entirety while the trailing saw cut is executed.
Another Ficep productivity first!
Are You Producing High Tolerance Plate Parts That Will Ultimately Require Some Machining?
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The versatility of the Type C plate processing center from Ficep offers capabilities in this area that have not been available in the market until now. The Ficep Type C plate processing center not only provides high speed punching of heavy plates with plasma contour cutting but at a speed and tolerance that exceeds the industry standard. |
What separates the Type C system's capabilities is the high  speed machining spindle that can be provided on the
system. This machining spindle is complete with an automatic tool changer so high speed drilling, milling and tapping can become an automated part of the process. The ability to mill permits such operations as the milling of plasma cut edges to improve the tolerance of the part and to remove heat affected zone. Milling can also be programmed on the top surface of the plate to create pockets to facilitate automated welding.
In addition to the punching, drilling, milling, tapping and plasma cutting, part marking can also be provided to achieve a totally integrated plate processing system.
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