Outcome of the co-operation of Şafak Makine and Siemens A.Ş.: CNC Bending Machine

Import CNC (Computer Numerically Controller) pipe bending machines now started to be manufactured in Turkey due to new sector searches by the machine manufacturers and, especially, the increasing demand in the automotive sector.

Şafak Makine Yedek Parça A.Ş. established in 1955 as machine manufacturer and, in the subsequent years, continued to render service for Turkish Automotive Primary Industry and foreign markets in the field of machining and pipe-bending. Furthermore, in the last decade, the company imported and sold CNC turning, machining centre, pipe bending and similar technologic industrial machines throughout Turkey. In addition, the company continues to provide services for more than 200 machines of Taiwan origin in the country.

As the costs are dependent on foreign currency under the conditions in the recent years, the capability of small-and medium scale industries has become impossible and it affected machine sales with the crisis. Although the pipe-bending machines have a wide range of fields for use, these users could not follow the technology due to high costs and perform the processes by using outdated systems. That this need was great in the fairs we attended led us to make studies.

With combination of knowledge, experience and skills of both companies in their respective fields during production stage, the resulting product proved to be one of the best machines of its class.

The produced CNC Pipe bending machine was realized by using Siemens/Sinumerik 810D control system.

If we simply defy 810 CNC control system, it is control processor that transmits precise movement control commands to the motor driving systems. In order to ensure data flow in a way to be understood by 810D control system, the interface programs are required to ensure these commands to be understood and monitored easily. Siemens HMI (Human Machine Interface) are used as interface programs.

As the present interface programs have been designed for the standard sectors (turning, milling, etc.), the users of pipe bending machines are face to face with difficulty of use.

In the pipe bending project, Siemens A&D, MC PM Provides control part of the machine (Sinumerik 810D), and Siemens I&S ITPS provides the software (Bender HMI).

Thanks to the developed CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), the end-user, without need of any advanced knowledge of programming, enter XY2 or YBC coordinates (mutual conversion is possible between these values in the program) or give Turkish commands (bend, advance, etc.) and thus performs pipe bending process and simulation.

Program controls for any impact to the machine during the pipe bending process according to the command set given by taking into consideration the machine sizes defined previously. Program line turned out to present problem during control process has been showed to the user, and error monitoring term eliminated.

We mention some highlights of the program below:

Possibility of intervention with all points of the program, command adding; system making it easy to write commands; operation of entire program in many languages; safety of programs and machine due to 5-level authorization; working with limitless size of pipe thanks to long pipe program; pipe meter with memory on basis of profile; elimination of the effect of bending flextures on the program and bendings with a single coefficient depending on the characteristic of the material.

Benchmarking studies made on CNC pipe bending and other machines that Şafak Makina has used and sold for many years have played significant role during design process of this program in developing superior aspects of this program.

Working in coordination with Hidroser Parker on all hydraulic components of the machines has contributed to and supported success of the project.

In our country and throughout the world, service and spare parts are among the first considerations for the users which we call as end-customer when they purchase machines. We, as Siemens, have service and maintenance agreements, covering both functions, taking into consideration both end-customer and machine manufacturers Şafak Makine sells each machine it manufactures as accompanied with a special agreement (RSC-Repair Service Contract) covering Siemens materials. This agreement is valid throughout the world.

Today, aim of Şafak Machine is to concentrate upon marketing activities both in local and foreign markets through attending fairs and reinforcing marketing department, an important step after this successful project study. After three fairs we attended with our machine in Turkey, it has become certain for us to attend Duesseldorf Tube&Wire fair in April 2004. Furthermore, we intend to attend Auto Mechanica Fair in Hannover.