Resource efficiency in the
supplying industry
Bert Zorn, Managing Director of SchwarzeRobitec, on the subject of resource-efficient tube
bending technologies.
Subjects such as sustainability and green
technology have been discussed in the media
for several years or serve as popular anchor
for company reports. Nonetheless, the reality
in industry is still not consistently sustainable
because producing enterprises use the major
part of the gross production value for material.
According to calculations by the German Federal
Statistical Office this is an average 45 percent.
The upshot of this is a major savings potential,
both for sustainability and the operating costs
of companies. In the light of rising costs for raw
material and energy, one thing is sure, however:
Those wishing to stay competitive need to use
resources sparingly, streamline production
processes and thereby increase efficiency. The
resource ‘human’ should also be taken into
consideration comprehensively in this context
because operator-friendly and safe production
processes make a major contribution towards
profitability of companies.
remove the lubricants from the bent tube after
forming, they need to undergo an elaborate
cleaning process where further chemicals are used.
Automatic lubrication systems achieve a far lower
consumption. With the help of compressed air,
they only moisten the bending mandrel surface
and inner wall of the tube. As a result of this
optimal dosage, both the costs and the effort for
the subsequent cleaning of tube and machine are
considerably reduced.
The micro-lubrication from Schwarze-Robitec
works according to this principle. For this
procedure, the lines for oil and compressed air
pass through the mandrel rod all the way to
the mandrel, where the oil is dispersed by the
compressed air. During the bending process it
exits from the mandrel through small drill holes.
This way, the system combines an appropriate
lubrication with minimal lubricant consumption.
Saving resources not only means reducing the
use of material, but also the use of energy. Useful
means are, for example, energy recovery modules
or regulated hydraulic pumps, which drive bending
tables via a separate pressure cycle.
Reduced lubricant and energy consumption
For large-scale production of tubes, the dosage of
lubricants harbors a significant savings potential
with regard to material. Lubricants counteract the
high tribological loads on tool and work piece
which occur during cold bending. With most
lubrication methods, the lubricants are introduced
into the tube to be bent in large quantities. To
TN MAY 2016
Just in time – Time as a scarce resource
Today, the processes in the producing industry
need to be conducted faster, more cost-effective
and more individualized. Saving only a few
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