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SOUTH AFRICA
VERSUS IMPORT

LOCAL BUILT IS BETTER & COST EFFECTIVE

Machinery of a complex nature purchased overseas is normally problematical when it comes to commissioning, one is faced with huge bills for technicians to be brought in never mind cost of importing the machine in the first place.

Then there is technical support for the life of the machine & spares, with SA's resources this can sometimes be limited as technology marches on.

At AP DESIGN not only can the equipment be supported but the client is given free training with the equipment.

It is a fact that equipment can be manufactured locally between 4 to 6 times less cost than importing the same. We are talking specialized equipment here, not such items as run of the mill machine tools.

SPECIAL PURPOSE MACHINERY

AP Design manufactures a wide range of purpose designed machinery using P.L.C control, system are designed with an interactive screen display to communicate with the operator or technician. AP Design specializes in auto parts assembly, automatic drilling & tapping, automatic fastener assembly, hydraulic presses, assembly of electrical items and so on.

VIBRATORY PARTS FEEDERS

Used in automation are vibratory parts feeders that are tooled to feed a certain parts to a machine, AP design supplies & tools this item.

AUTOMATION OF PRESSES OR GUILLOTINES

Presses/guillotines may be automated to either feed material automatically, and or may have additional parts fed to make up an assembly during pressing, Material coil has to be fed by a powered decoiler, details as follows:

SERVO DRIVE LEVELLER

Used in place of a straightener decoiler and strip feeder for direct feed of strip to either a press or guillotine, may be used as a cut to length line. Advantages are high speed feed and ease of length setting which is digital. Because the servo drive is built in further equipment is not required . Various models are available from A.P. DESIGN.

SERVO ROLL FEED

This would replace a strip feeder having the function of quick and easy digital setting with virtually no limit to feed length. Used in jobbing shops where press tools are frequently changed. May be used to feed a guillotine as in a cut to length line. Has higher feed rate than a strip feeder and requires no time for return travel as a strip feeder. Feed accuracy +/- 0,1 per 0,5m. Also available are closed loop flux vector controls that make the price of a roll feed more attractive. Models available up to 1250mm from A.P.DESIGN.

STRIP FEEDERS

A cost effective method of feeding strip to a press, guillotine or wire to machine. Available up to 400mm wide and 400mm feed length X 4mm thick. Smallest available 38mm wide and 50mm feed length X 1mm thick. Specials on request. Feed accuracy +/- 0,15 per 0,5m. Disadvantages, feed length setting is mechanical & only as accurate as the setting, a return stroke is required before the unit can feed, however the smaller units can feed up to 250 strokes/min and the larger units typically 50 strokes/min. These unit are supplied by A.P. DESIGN & are manufactured in the States by "Rapid Air Corporation" . The larger units are locally manufactured.

CRADLE LEVELLER OR DECOILER LEVELLER COMBO

Used to straighten material from coil for subsequent feed to a strip feeder, direct to press or guillotine. Coils over 800kg, more than 1100mm OD or thin material cannot be processed by the cradle. A separate decoiler is then required. Widths of material up to 650mm and 0,4 to 6mm thick. Generally supplied with non contact loop sensor & option of variable speed control. Various models available from A.P.DESIGN

HYDRAULIC PRESSES

A wide range of custom machines are made from 30 to 1000 tons & may be either a simple machine with cylinder & platens or machines with die cushion, multiple action & auto parts feed. Pike says a common mistake made by clients is to specify too high & pressing speeds over long travel. This results in high cost pumps and large valves required to handle the flow. Hydraulic presses should be used in forming & drawing applications not punching which is better handled on a mechanical press.

DECOILERS

Used to support a coil on a mandrel and pay off to any number of down line devices.

Available for coils from 250kg to 22000kg, powered or non powered depending on application. Mandrels can be manual or hydraulic expansion. Coil widths up to 2000mm material thickness 0,3 to 6mm. For larger coils hydraulic coil carts are available which is a useful addition to present the coil to the mandrel thus not tying up overhead crainage. A device known as a snubber is usually fitted to the larger models used for unbanding the coil and in certain circumstances to control difficult coils.

CUT TO LENGTH LINES

Comprising a decoiler of up to 22tons capacity, leveller, crack rolls & slitter, guillotine, electronic measuring devices & microprocessor for the production of blanked sheets from coil. Many units commissioned in RSA.

PRODUCTION MACHINING

A.P. DESIGN offers a full machining service: milling capacity from small precision parts up to 2750mm long X 900mm wide X 700mm high up to 2000kg on the bed. Turning up to 3200mm length X 500mm dia across saddle & 900mm dia with gap removed. Grinding 600mm X 250mm X 200mm.

CNC Turning up to 80mm dia X 300mm long chucking machine with Fanuc control.

Fabrication services up to 7500kg