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Increase Safety in Cut-Off Technology

Posted by VGAdmin on Thursday, December 11th, 2014 in News

Vulcan Engineering incorporates the latest in advanced safety features while still offering reliable efficient equipment.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off machine is ideal for gate and riser removal on small to medium size castings, or castings on runner bars or trees. It is well suited for processing castings that are too heavy for operators to handle, as the air float feature makes moving large weights almost effortless. Compressed air is used to “lift” the gondola to allow the operator to “float” it around the table, and use the laser guide to align the casting into the proper cutting position. Once in position, a vacuum is used to securely hold it in place during cutting. The saw uses hydraulic down pressure for fast efficient removal of risers and gating.

The saw shown is designed to be installed in its own room; other models are available with full enclosures for installation around other workers Fox® grinding and cutting equipment has proven reliability, and is designed to work effectively in rugged, dirty foundry environments. Precise cutting and efficient processing is only part of the design, to truly enhance this system Vulcan has added several advanced safety features.

Rotary Wheel Guard: This machine incorporates a rotating wheel guard. This allows the operator to move, re-align, and change castings safely without having to turn off the motor each time. The wheel guard technology includes sensors that are connected to a safety circuit. When pulling the handle down to start cutting the guard opens, allowing the operator to perform a cut.
Operator Safety Door: The operator safety door has a Lexan window with an easily replaceable Plexiglas splatter shield. This allows the operator to be protected from debris while still being able to see the material being cut. The safety door is interlocked with the safety circuit allowing the saw to only be operated when it is closed.
Operator Console with Safety Lockout Key: When the operator has to change the cutting wheel, the system must be shut down. To ensure all operations are powered off or de-energized, a safety key is incorporated into both the console and the outer wheel guard. The safety key must be inserted into the dead bolt lock on the wheel guard to allow the guard to be opened to change the wheel. Once the wheel is changed and the guard properly closed, the key can be removed and inserted into the control console allowing the saw to operate again.
E-Stop Functionality: There are 3 different E-Stop switches that can be utilized in this system. There are two push-button stops, one on the operator console and the other located on the electrical panel. The third option is an emergency kick switch tied to the E-Stop system for quick, hands free use.

All of the above features, as well as incorporating redundant safety shutoff valves with monitoring, make this one of the safest cut-offs on the market.

Multiphase Plant Upgrades & Expansion

Posted by VGAdmin on Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 in News

Progress well underway for multiphase plant upgrades and expansion to Lodge Manufacturing Company.

Lodge Manufacturing Company, South Pittsburg, Tennessee, has begun a multiphase plan for expansion and upgrades to their existing, highly successful foundry. “This is more massive than anything we’ve ever done before,” stated Henry Lodge, President & COO of Lodge Manufacturing and great grandson of the business founder, Joseph Lodge. “We are excited and we need this additional production.”

“In 2009 we looked at five year projections showing sales would exceed current production capacity by 2015. That is when preliminary discussions started about our expansion,” Lodge stated. With this realization, Lodge had to consider current needs as well as future goals. In addition to a significant increase in capacity there would need to be ongoing considerations to maintain employee safety, increase the effective use of labor, enhance operational efficiency and provide for continuous product quality improvements overall while still allowing for future growth.

Lodge approached Vulcan Engineering Co. to discuss the next steps in making expansion a reality. With a history of working with Vulcan on past projects, Lodge took into consideration the relationships built over the years as well as the consistency of work; from sound industry advice to the quality of process planning and engineering. “Clearly Vulcan has plenty of knowledge and experience. They work to identify the potential problems and bring them to us; we don’t have to find them later,” said Henry. “I knew we could trust them with this job, and I can sleep a lot easier,” stated Michael Whitfield, Lodge Vice-President.

“Vulcan listened to our needs and goals for the future. They developed two different approaches to achieve our desires, allowing us to decide which method would be the best fit. Our main operational requirements were that the foundry could not shut down during construction and that the newly expanded foundry be designed in such a way to allow for additional growth in the years ahead,” Whitfield stated. “Once we selected the plan Vulcan developed a reasonable, economic plan utilizing three distinct phases to achieve our overall goals. The design was a structured approach to maintain ongoing existing capacity while installing the infrastructure for our future capacity requirements.”

Phase I began with the addition of new melting capacity by expansion and additions to the foundry building in such a way as to not only avoid disruption of existing operations, but also improve melting efficiency and material flow through the process. The new melting systems and metal delivery equipment began production earlier this year. The initial phase will complete later this year with the startup of additional high volume fully automated sand, molding, pouring and casting handling systems.

Phase I also incorporates all design and equipment specifications to allow for future expansions which will ultimately replace all existing molding lines with new, state of the art, higher output equipment. With this design approach each additional phase completed will further enhance efficiency and output of casting production. For each additional expansion, an entire molding system will be replaced and prepared sand capacity will be increased for the additional demand created. Although prepared sand and casting tonnage will be increasing with each additional phase, the Phase I handling equipment has been designed and installed with the capacity to accommodate full future demand of the foundry through Phase III.

“With Phase I of the project nearly finished, Lodge is on track to continue with this plan of updating and expansion over the years to come. This will also make work easier on our employees in terms of environment and safety. The layout leaves plenty of room to work.” In closing, Henry Lodge stated, “The biggest plus is being able to meet customer demand. Customers, it’s all about the customers! We can be comfortable growing the business and accept new customers when we are confident we can meet the increased demand while also having the utility to grow even more. While it is all about the customer, it is our hard working and dedicated employees who have built the Lodge brand through quality workmanship. We are not doing this just for now, we are thinking about 10-20-30 years ahead.”

The Power of a Robot in a Man’s Hand

Posted by VGAdmin on Friday, April 11th, 2014 in News

Since Vulcan Engineering Co. launched to the new VTS™ (Vulcan Tactile System) in January of last year, there have been many questions. Vulcan has been using the phrase “Robotic/Manipulator” because it just seemed to fit. However, this might have caused a few bewildered looks. Simply, the VTS™ is the best of both worlds and can be used as a Robot or as a Manipulator.

Some have seen images of the system and quickly assume that this is just another way to use robots for automation… not quite. Although the VTS™ utilizes an industrial robot, this system is not just for programming and walking away while the robot does the rest (albeit, that is one of its capabilities). We in this industry know what industrial robots can do, so what’s different about the VTS™?

Using leading edge robotic/manipulator technology paired with Vulcan’s specialized hand control system, this telemanipulator allows the operator to manually control the robot’s movements. That means the operator moves the robot simultaneously with his hand movements for a true “hands on” experience. Some might compare this to jogging with a teach pendant, but Vulcan’s hand control system is very different.

First, the operator’s hand position likewise commands the robot’s “hand” (tool) position. Unlike jogging with the teach pendant (velocity control mode) that is difficult to coordinate motions of multiple axes, the VTS™ controls provide very smooth and precise movements. Movements can be scaled up or down as needed for the task at hand. One might say it moves with surgical precision. Secondly, there is force sensing at the robot’s tool that is transmitted back to the operator’s hand. This provides a feel of the forces the operator is applying with the robot. Another way to explain this is to think of the operator as holding the tool on the end of the robot. Wherever his hand moves, the machine is following his motions performing the work with multiples of force and speed.

The unique design and flexibility of the VTS™ enables floor operators, unskilled in robotic programming, to utilize the full range of control over robotic equipment in fully manual and semi-automatic modes. In addition, this same equipment system, utilizing dedicated fixturing, ordinary robotic programming and only minor adjustments can then also be applied to fully automatic tasks.

, To clarify, the VTS™ is intended to be a manual machine a manipulator. BUT, with a few add-ons of equipment, it can be utilized as a fully automatic (unattended) robot. This might be useful if you have a need for manual processes some of the time and automatic processes at other times.

The configuration pictured here is the VTS-G model. This machine is provided with a high-power grinding attachment for a tool. With this, the operator can grind and cut around the outside and inside of castings. In addition, the model shown is mobile. The whole unit can be moved via stacker crane or rail-car. This makes it possible to access a very large working envelope. The envelope is only limited by the working envelope of your crane or the length of your rails.

Putting these features all together, the operator of Vulcan Engineering’s VTS™ can perform a job manually by using the power of a robot no matter the application. For more information on the VTS™ and its “hands on” capabilities

Enclosed Cut-Off System

Posted by VGAdmin on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 in News

A Cut-Off System centered around Ease of Use, Safety, and Precision

Fox® grinders and cut-off equipment have proven reliability, and offer the most productive casting finishing equipment available for the rugged, dirty foundry environment. Designed for maximum up time with the highest quality components, Fox® equipment has innovative designs that are assembled and arranged for easy service.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off with Horizontal Traveling Axis is a specially designed cut-off system that provides control of the saw from an Operators Control Station located outside of the machine enclosure for added safety.

This model provides vertical and horizontal saw travel, allowing the operator to move the saw up & down, forward & backward, all powered by hydraulics. The Cut-Off saw incorporates a hydraulic down-pressure system to efficiently cut risers and/or gates from a variety of castings. Hydraulic down force provides for quicker, cooler cuts with less blade wear.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off machine is ideal for gate, runner and riser removal on small to medium size castings, or removing castings from trees. The Air Float System incorporates a casting gondola, Blanchard ground table, and pneumatic/vacuum system that allow the operator to effortlessly “float” the work into cutting position. With quick and easy fixture change over, the Air Float system excels at cutting castings produced in small to medium runs.

Along with fast positioning of parts, the Air Float System incorporates a vacuum hold-down feature on the casting gondola. A foot operated electric control pedal activates floatation, keeping hands free for gondola movement. Once the foot pedal is released, the vacuum system secures the gondola to the table during cutting. An alignment laser is used to provide quick, precise alignment of the cut path. The gondola can be repositioned after each cut or left in position with the vacuum system holding it in place for processing higher quantities of the same part number.

Safety features of the Fox® Air Float Cut-Off with Horizontal Traveling Axis include machine enclosure, rotating wheel guard, and touch sensors to name a few. The front door of the enclosure is supported on overhead rails, and is manually slid open and shut. This Lexan door, with an easily replaceable Plexiglas splatter shield, incorporates a proximity switch so that the door must be fully closed before the operator can control the Cut-Off Wheel. There are touch sensors located on either side of the door’s rails. To activate the optional fixture Clamping System, the operator must place both hands on these sensors which help to ensure hands and arms are out of the way.

The rotating wheel guard covers the wheel at all times, except when the operator is standing on the safety mat at the Operator’s Control Station. Once the operator stands on the safety mat, this activates the wheel cover to open. Anytime the operator steps off of the mat, the wheel cover will automatically rotate closed. This feature allows the operator to move, realign, or change parts inside the enclosure without stopping the saw.

New Robotic-Manipulator System

Posted by VGAdmin on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 in News

Introducing the VTS Telemanipulator

Vulcan engineers’ have coupled hand position control with force-feedback to offer state of the art fully flexible robotic Equipment Systems. This tele-operated robotic technology provides leading edge cost effective solutions to address numerous demanding areas in foundries and offers distinct advantages over current hydraulic manipulators and dedicated robotic cells.

The unique design and flexibility of the Vulcan Equipment System enables floor operators, unskilled in robotic programming; to utilize the full range of control over robotic equipment in fully manual and semi-automatic modes. In addition, this same Equipment System, utilizing dedicated fixturing, ordinary robotic programming and only minor adjustments can then also be applied to fully automatic tasks.

In manual mode a scalar motion hand control is utilized to allow operators to quickly position the robot anywhere within an available sweep envelope to a work zone area. Once in the work zone hand control can be quickly rescaled to allow full hand motion while directing robotic moves within a much smaller range. An example of this benefit can be realized in finishing large castings without the requirement of dedicated fixtures or fixed casting orientation. The operator can rapidly move the robot into the work zone area of a removed riser or in-gate then rescale the hand control for more precise movement in this finite area. Through force feedback, as the operator directs and engages the grinding wheel to the casting surface, he will feel applied force or resistance in his hand control throughout the process.

Using semi-automatic mode the programmability and excellent path following capabilities of the Equipment System can be exploited. Operators can be given access to a variety of preprogrammed and stored surface finishing subroutines to automatically remove feeder or flow-off contacts. Depending on the surface orientation and type subroutine required the operator manually touches off directed teach points around the area to be removed at the cast finish surface level and then switches the machine into an automatic mode to remove the area identified. After the defined area has been removed to match the cast finish surface specified the machine automatically returns to manual mode and requests the next operation. This unique feature eliminates over/under grind human error and the variation inherent in manned manipulator grinding operations. An additional advantage of the semi-automatic mode is the ability to use pre-taught subroutines for “out of position grinding” which saves the time and energy necessary to reposition a casting for a manipulator or preprogrammed robotic cell utilizing defined orientation fixtures.

For manual and semiautomatic operations the Equipment System is designed to allow operation from an onboard controlled environment cab with impact resistant glass for high visibility and safety. This affords the ability to remove, or at the least, place employees in a safer, cleaner environment relative to an undesirable area where personnel may be subjected to hot, dirty conditions and dangerous surrounding elements requiring extensive personal protection gear. Transforming this harsh environment for employees while accomplishing the same tasks can lead to improved productivity, lessened work related injuries, improved moral and reduced employee turnover.

In fully automatic mode the Equipment System can be positioned in a fixed isolated area, such as in front of turntable, and repetitively run fixed program(s). For this application an operator or tending robot load/unload castings on fixtures on one side of the turntable while the robot automatically completes the fixed program on the opposite side.

Regardless of the operational mode employed use of the force feedback sensitivity system affords great control over the process. Using grinding operations as an example, the variable force capability of a robot can be utilized for optimum metal removal. This enables improved cycle times, enhanced grind wheel life and can also control heat generation at the grinding surface, which is especially useful for finishing heat sensitive casting alloys.

The equipment is also designed to offer flexibility in mounting methodology dependent on application. Variations include fixed vertical or inverted mounting, seventh axis track mounting; vertical, side mounted or inverted, portable skid mounting or suspended mounting from a stacker type overhead crane. Fixed or track mounting requires product to be delivered or staged for processing in the equipment sweep area. The portable skid arrangement allows the equipment to be positioned by forklift or overhead crane for one operation and then moved between or to different locations for other tasks. This may allow large product or a work cell to be pre-positioned in one area while the equipment is working in an adjacent or separate location. Crane mounting applications are normally utilized for large product applications in extended crane bays. An application example of crane mounting would be the finishing of very large castings. Stacker crane mounting allows the operator to easily position the Equipment System anywhere over or around large castings to reach areas not accessible from a floor mounted machine. This also offers the added benefit of significantly reducing or eliminating material handling time repositioning castings within the reach of fixed equipment. Equipment mounting techniques can be altered during or between operating shifts pending operational requirements.

Many foundries produce widely variable casting volumes across different product lines and historically only medium or high volume casting runs were good candidates for specific automated applications based on the ability to justify a return on the capital investment. Utilizing this new Equipment System one machine can deliver multiple capabilities, enabling a competitive edge for the foundry while also providing significantly improved return on investment. The Vulcan Equipment System can be used on one shift for manual and/or semi-automatic tasks on low or medium volume casting runs and then on alternate shifts for high volume fully automatic applications. This scenario also exemplifies the purpose driven, fully flexible multi-task design of the equipment, offering improved utilization over typically higher cost single task dedicated solutions.

Vulcan’s new technology and the Equipment System can be applied across numerous size ranges. Equipment hand controls are designed to be non-fatiguing, easily to learn and to operate. Scalar motion control, force feedback and high response are intuitive so prerequisite requirements for operator capabilities and training are diminished. Equipment operators are not required to learn robotic programming; however, they have the precision, accuracy and performance of a robotic system placed in their hands.

For grinding applications Vulcan’s complete line of spindles are available; from electric with automatic tool changing capabilities to high horsepower hydraulic. Depending material removal requirements both bonded silica or super abrasive wheels can be utilized and also interchanged on the spindles specified.

In addition to the benefits described for casting cleaning and finishing are many material handling applications. Finally, the use of surface contact feedback and variable applied force settings also permits numerous qualification testing applications for larger products.

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