31 July 2007
AddisonMckee launches its first-ever CNC shell-rolling machine

World-leading tube manipulation technology specialists, AddisonMckee, have launched their very first shell-rolling machine for forming the round and oval shapes that make up the outer bodies of catalytic converters and mufflers.

Over recent months, AddisonMckee has been steadily introducing a range of high performance solutions for use in the manufacture of catalytic converters and mufflers – and the launch of the ShellRoller now means that the global tube bending and endforming technologies company is now superbly placed to offer leading-edge solutions in this marketplace.

Used to feed pre-cut flat sheets through a configuration of four position-controlled programmable rollers, AddisonMckee’s ShellRoller machine can form the outer shell of a muffler or catalytic converter in virtually any round, oval or asymmetrical configuration and is suitable for use with carbon steel, stainless steel and titanium.

Each forming work-cell consists of a feed system that loads the sheets using a vacuum pick-up to lift the sheets from an incoming stack and load them into the roller section of the machine for forming. The load station incorporates fanning magnet technology to separate all incoming sheets in order to prevent feeding multiple sheets into the machine rollers.

Precision rollers

In the forming section of the machine, four precision rollers work together to form the various cross sections as required. The top and bottom rollers are used to pinch the incoming sheet and feed it backwards and forwards as dictated by the program to create the shell shape required. These two rollers are driven by electric servo gear motors and are electronically synchronized to reduce the risk of slippage during forming.

Required part shape

The front and rear rollers then act in conjunction with the feed rollers to create the required part shape. These rollers are positioned using electro-mechanical linear actuators (as opposed to the hydraulic rollers often used on competitor models) for precise motion and clean, quiet operation. The control system controls the position of these front and rear rollers in relation to the feed position of the sheet to generate the required bend radius in the sheet throughout the operation to ensure the correct finished shell shape.

Maximum flexibility

Designed for maximum manufacturing flexibility, the standard system is capable of forming shells ranging in length from 75mm up to 350mm. Cross sections of up to 180mm are possible, in either round or as the major axis of an oval section. The minimum radius available is ~65mm although this is somewhat dependent upon the material being formed. Machines with larger or smaller capacities are available in order to create shells of significantly larger lengths or cross sections to meet customer requirements.

Complete range of solutions

Comments AddisonMckee’s Director of Global Marketing, Christian Rogiers, “With the ShellRoller machine now in place alongside our complete range of muffler and catalytic converter manufacturing solutions, we are now able to demonstrate that AddisonMckee’s renowned technology and quality is not exclusively reserved for those with tube bending and end forming requirements. We have already secured orders for eight ShellRoller systems at various sites across North America and we look forward to ensuring that AddisonMckee is the first choice for everyone in this market.”

About AddisonMckee

2007 winners of The Manufacturer magazine’s World-Class Manufacturing Award – a prestigious award based on an organization’s ability to benchmark, examine and make continuous improvements in all aspects of its operations – AddisonMckee is globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world’s finest tube bending and end forming technologies – for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements.

In addition, AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative tube measuring solutions, tube perforation, piercing and louvring technologies, hydraulic press machinery, muffler assembly solutions, plant automation and complete workcell integration.

In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services. Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.

From its state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and China, AddisonMckee is committed to providing rapid solutions to market and also regularly assists clients in product prototyping, parts development, small production runs and pre-production sample development.

AddisonMckee is principally owned by WHI Capital Partners (WHICP), a Chicago-based private equity group that invests in middle market, industry-leading companies with solid financial fundamentals and proven management teams. WHICP is an affiliate of William Harris Investors, Inc., a family-based asset management firm founded by Irving B. Harris in 1987.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Thomas – BHL Marketing
E-mail: rachel@bhlmarketing.com
Tel:  +44 (0) 1244 851850
Fax: +44 (0) 1244 851888

Christian Rogiers, Global Marketing Director – AddisonMckee
E-mail: crogiers@addisonmckee.com
Tel:  +1 513 228 7076
Fax: +1 513 228 7226