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Ficep Introduces New "Gemini Series" of CNC Plate Cutting and Drilling Systems
With Extensive Capacity at Extremely Competitive Prices!
Ficep has once again broadened its product line of plate fabrication systems that it offers to the market understanding that 2 or 3 models do not address all the individual needs of fabricators in the world market. The Gemini Gantry Series of plate processing systems is specifically addressed to those markets that
- Want to accommodate large plate sizes with a lower investment
- Have limited floor space
- Want to achieve exceptional productivity with spindles speeds up to 6,000 RPM
- Want to accommodate both stock plates for drilling and cutting and pre cut plates just for drilling
- Exceptional productivity and versatility for drilling, tapping, countersinking and milling to generate parts that require weld prep.
The Gemini 254 G can accommodate plates 8' x 20' as standard and the length can be expanded as an option if required. Wider models are also available with multiple drilling heads.
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The Gemini 254 G features a 6,000 RPM machining spindle with eight position tool changer that can accomplish high performance task while using the today's current tooling technology to achieve fantastic results. The processing speeds of the Gemini 254 G are unrivaled as the wide gantry of the system also includes its own internal clamping so it is not necessary for the operator to constantly fixture or manual clamp plates prior to processing. This wide gantry also provides the opportunity for the spindle to position independently in the length or "X Axis" without requiring the gantry to position. This feature enhances productivity while increasing the milling accuracies that can be achieved by maintaining a fixed position of the plate that is being processed.
Positioning speeds of up to 1650 IPM assures the very minimum process time when it comes to the completion of one hole to starting the next for example.
The Gemini 254 G can be equipped with either a down draft or water table to accommodate the plasma cutting operation with a broad selection of Hypertherm plasma torch options. |
Ficep Expands Their CNC Angle Line Fabrication Systems to Incorporate Programmable Notching
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Ficep has traditionally offered fabricators and manufacturers the most expansive product line of CNC angle lines (channels with web and flange holes and flats can also be processed) that incorporates the operations of:
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- Punching - Drilling - Marking - Notching - Shearing -
 for unequalled productivity. The ability to incorporate notching can be limited due to the wide variety of notching applications required such as the sizes and degrees of the angle notches that a user is required to accomplish with a traditional notching press. Typically, a wide variety of these applications can be accomplished by changing the related tooling which does require a manual tool change.
The Ficep multiple head programmable notcher that can be incorporated into the Ficep CNC angle lines, traditionally addresses the random requirement to produce a diverse geometric combination of notches without requiring multiple notching presses and the manual tool changes to accommodate different applications.
This comprehensive capability of the Ficep CNC angle lines permits a user to go from stock material to a completely finished part including notches.
Let us take a look at your application as you will be pleasantly surprised with our diverse capability and the productivity that can be achieved.
Ficep introduces the New Tipo G Plate Processing Systems for plates up to 20' in width
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The Tipo G Series of Plate Processing Systems address the needs of such industries as bridge/structural steel fabricators and manufacturing firms producing large plate components such as tube sheets. These systems are available in widths of 8 ft., 12 ft. and 16 ft. and are ideally suited for stack drilling. The systems can be provided with one or two spindles each with an automatic tool changer to accomplish different holes sizes or the automatic exchange of tools once the tool that is being utilized becomes dull. |
The traveling gantry design can be furnished in virtually any length to accommodate long plates which remain stationary during processing as the gantry moves in the length (X) axis and the spindles in the depth (Y) axis. The stationary plate design in conjunction with the extensive gantry travel also gives the ability to load stock size plates or unload finished parts in one area while the system is actively producing finished plates components in another area of the travel range.
The massive drill head design can generate typical machining functions such as milling, tapping, countersinking, counter boring etc. The drill spindles feature a secondary length (X) axis so typical hole patterns or machining operations can be accomplished without moving the gantry.
The gantry also features a unique chip removal system to eliminate drill chips for example prior to plasma or oxy-fuel cutting of the parts to the specified dimensions.
Ficep Expands Product Range Specifically for Bridge Fabricators!
Ficep is historically geared to provide bridge fabricators with the leading edge technology that is typically required by the industry. In line with this objective, Ficep is pleased to expand its product offering for bridge fabricators so they can take full advantage of the Obama Administration's stimulus package for bridge repair and renovation. Bridge fabrication is nothing new to Ficep as we have been providing unique fabrication solutions to the most prominent bridge fabricators in the world market. The most recent addition to the product line for the fabrication of bridge girders is a four-spindle solution for sections up to 13 ft. in depth as shown above. |
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The system features a double clamping system with rack and pinion for positioning the girder to the extremely precise tolerances that are required in bridge fabrication. Each of the two web spindles has a secondary length (X) axis for positioning the spindles within a 12" range. This feature reduces the number of times that the girder must be positioned in the length (X) axis. This can save substantial production time, particularly when the web hole connection pattern is slightly skewed.
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All four spindles generate up to 3,000 RPM so they can take full advantage of today's high performance carbide tools for drilling at unbelievable feed rates. Each spindle is also provided with an automatic tool changer to optimize tool life, productivity and to reduce operator errors.
The system also features a floating datum to accommodate excessive camber that is frequently associated with bridge girders.
Currently, Ficep is organizing in the Spring of this year a Bridge Fabricator's Tour where the itinerary will include visits to some of the most progressive European bridge fabrication facilities in the world today.
Please feel free to e-mail us at tom-boyer@ficepcorp.com to learn more about our unique product offering for bridge fabricators, and the tour as this is one that bridge fabricators will not want to miss. |
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. |
