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Our History.
At Atlas, our entire 46 year history has been centered around the goal of optimizing the movement of sheet metal and dies during stamping processesin short, solving pressroom production problems and taking advantage of automation opportunities to help our customers excel. Atlas is a full service facility with the tools, talent and experience to provide objective based engineering studies that examine alternatives and find the most productive and cost effective mixture of manual and automated operations, specifically tailored to suit each individual customer and their requirements. Atlas has complete in-house capability for total system responsibility, mechanical and controls design, fabrication, machining, assembly, test and installation. We then back our equipment with a full one year warranty and support our customers with 24-7-365 emergency service. You can trust Atlas with your die handling needs...after all, we have more installations around the world then all of our competitors combined.
Subplates
Fundamental to Atlas die change systems is a common interface between the die, the press and the die change equipment. The use of subplates provides a common surface for all of your existing dies, allowing them to roll into and out of the press. A subplate is normally the same size as the bed of the press and approximately 2 1/2 thick. Most subplates have a pattern of tapped holes to mount a number of different dies. Die locator pins mounted on the left to right centerline of the subplates are used to locate the various dies accurately on the plate. The subplate is designed to be bolted or clamped in position on the press bolster. The common surface is also the key to fast, consistent die clamping. The consistent location achieved by pre-staging dies on subplates is maintained through the use of a keyway or side guides, which guide the die subplate into the press. The common height provided by the subplate makes either powered or manual clamping easier.
Rolling Dies
Rolling a die out of the press reduces frictional forces so that the die is moved smoothly and efficiently. To accomplish this rolling feature, Atlas recommends the use of hydraulic lifters (Lif-T-Rols or Max-Rols). These lifters raise the die off of the press bolster and place it on wheels. This reduces the force required to move the die to approximately 1% of its total weight. When Atlas designs die change equipment employing the rolling concept we use a 10 times safety factor and figure on 10% of the weight to be moved. In contrast, when the skidding technique is used, the equipment must be designed for 70% of the weight. These higher forces mean heavier equipment with higher potential failure.
Atlas die lifters are designed to fit in T-slots or milled pockets in a press bolster and will raise the dies subplate just enough to allow it to roll off the bolster with only minimal effort.
Pre-Staging
The third ingredient of an Atlas die change system is the pre-staging of dies on Atlas Die Racks. Without this feature quick die change would be impossible. When the incoming die is pre-staged, all of the positioning work of the next die on the subplate is accomplished prior to going into the press and more importantly, while the press is in operation.
Pre-staging removes the crane or other forms of die moving equipment from the die change process, thus greatly reducing the time required to change dies.
Shown left, subplate mounted dies are pre-staged on Atlas Die Racks fully prepared for the next die change at a major appliance manufacturer.
Die T-Table
Atlas Die T-Tables are based on our die cart technology and our racks combined. The long rack portion contains a conveyance device and is divided by a center die table section complete with a push/pull module. Atlas T-Tables provide a very cost effective die change capability in situations where floor space and/or economic constraints prohibit the use of die carts.
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Die Tables
Atlas die tables utilize a combination of push/pull modules and powered conveyors to automatically unload and load dies to and from a press. They are often mated with elevating die carts for automatic die storage and retrieval. Die tables provide complete, cost effective die change capability in situations where floor space and/or economic constraints prohibit the use of die carts. Adjustable height tables can service two adjacent presses of varying heights. The table itself is moved by fork truck or crane.
Die Carts
Atlas Die Carts have become the industry benchmark with over 1000 installations around the world. Self-powered and controlled either by pendant or remotely, Atlas carts move on floor rails at speeds up to 30 feet per minute, transporting dies of almost any size to and from presses and die racks. Precision ballscrew driven push/pull modules engage die subplates on either end, indexing one or more dies on or off the cart and into or out of the press. For safety and long life, carts are built to handle much more weight than your highest load requirements. Die racks become a close to the press staging area. Equipped with rollers, they are ruggedly built like Atlas die carts. In many configurations, added racks extend the usefulness of each cart, maximizing the benefit of your investment.
An Atlas die cart with two racks is the perfect way to increase the versatility and output rates of a stand alone press. Dies are exchanged in minutes allowing for rapid changes in production and increasing JIT capabilities. The next in-coming die is pre-staged on one rack while the press is in operation. When die exchange is required, the die cart moves into position in front of the press, pulls the old die from the press and places it onto the empty die rack. The cart then moves into position in front of the rack holding the incoming die and pulls it onto the cart. The cart moves back into position and pushes the new die into the press, then returns to the home position. The die is clamped into position and production begins.
Die exchange is as follows: 1. New dies are pre-staged on the racks beside each pres (one rack will be empty) 2. The die cart pulls the first old die onto the cart 3. The old die is deposited on the open rack 4. The die cart picks up the pre-staged new die 5. The die cart pushes the new die into the press 6. The die cart removes the old die in the adjacent press 7. The die cart deposits the old die on the empty rack and picks up the new die 8. The cart then moves into position in front of the receiving press and pushes the new die into position 9. Once the dies are clamped into position, press operation may start and the old dies may be exchanged with the next set of in-coming dies.
Domino Lines
Why Atlas?
All automation companies talk a good game. At Atlas we back it up with results. We understand that excellent technical skills arent the goal, theyre the price of entry. We will design, build and integrate a solution that will achieve your goals. Our engineering documents will be accurate and complete. Our designs will function as promised. Our manufacturing will be precise and durable. Your project will be spearheaded by a contract manager that is intimately familiar with your industry. Our finished product will exceed your expectations. Every customer. Every project. PERIOD.
Contact Information
3100 Copper Avenue Fenton, MI 48430 USA Phone: +1 810.629.6663 Fax: +1 810.629.8145 www.atlastechnologies.com www.pressroomautomation.com