- But we have already demonstrated that for some potential customers, and interest is amazing, "says Mats Eriksson, the designer of the new system. His invention solves an old problem. When large strip coils are delivered to different industries, they are fixated with up to eight thin steel strapping. If the coil is two meters in diameter the strapping is more than six meter long.
Dangerous moments
- So far, customers have typically handled the problem manually, explains Mats Eriksson. This means that an operator manually cuts the strapping and that is a dangerous moment. The strapping is subject to high tension and can rip off sharply and hit the operator. The strip coil also contains high tensions built up during the coiling process. When remove the strapping from a coil with high strength materials large forces are released specially the end of the strip can smash out with high force, this explains also why sometimes many strapping strips are used.
After de-strapping the strapping must be taken care off. It is made of good steel and is valuable as scrap, but normally very difficult to handle.
- It may be impossible to manually fold a strap so you can put them down in a barrel or container, says Mats.
Solves three problems
The system Bergs Engineering is showing solves three problems:
• Cutting of strapping.
• Rolls them up into small compact coils.
• It increases the personal safety because no operator is physically involved in the process.
The machine is based on a main module, which cut strapping, pull them off the strip coil and roll the strapping in to compact coils. The plant is designed to be extremely flexible to many different applications.
- It can in principle be built into the production line at any time, says Mats. The demonstration plant is mounted so that it is swung in towards the strip coil, but the only thing that matters is the end position. For example, you have the whole module mounted so that it runs straight toward the strip coil.
Clear advantages
Mats points out great economic benefits of the new design. It makes it possible to automate several steps in a manufacturing process.
- It is now enough that the strip coil is in the right place, than the production can start, he says. It will provide a more efficient production.
Berg Engineering has been supported by the Innovation Network Triple Steelix, which actively contributes to development efforts in the steel and engineering industries.
- There are already several companies expressing great interest in the new de-strapping system, says Mats Eriksson. Eventually, I think the market is very large. All who handle strip coils wrapped with steel strapping can use this machine.
Bergs Engineering AB considers that this system is well in line with the safety culture as the basis for all designs that they supply.