4-axis profile machining center: perfect all-rounder for window, door and facade industry

According to Bas Ladestein, managing director at elumatec. For over ninety years, the company has been a specialist in the field of profile processing machines for the versatile processing of aluminum, PVC and thin-walled steel.

Because the 4-axis machines are so tremendously all-round, they offer great advantages. Ladestein explains, "The universal SBZ 140 and the SBZ 141 enable comfortable, safe, efficient and economical machining of aluminum and thin-walled steel profiles. Many of the machining operations such as milling, drilling and tapping can be performed on various profiles."

Elumatec developed the SBZ 140 some 15 years ago. In the meantime, the machine has had several upgrades and a lot has also changed in terms of controls. Therefore, the complete machine has now been addressed and a new machine developed; the SBZ 141, with an additional steered axle. The existing SBZ 140 has undergone a complete facelift. 

Universal machine

"For many firms, the 4-axle is the main machine, but even the companies that have grown large and mostly work with the 5-axle or walk-through machines like to make the combination with the 4-axle machines," Ladestein observes. "On the one hand to increase production capacity, on the other hand to remain flexible."

Ergonomic advantages

"All operations take place on a stationary clamped profile. In the SBZ 140 and 141, this fixture has been moved forward and the working height improved, so that profiles can be inserted easily and ergonomically. With profile lengths ranging from 6 to a maximum of 16.5 meters, this offers great advantages. The travelling tool magazine also ensures short tool change times and thus optimal machining cycles." There have also been many improvements in the area of maintenance for the machine operator. "Where maintenance - such as refilling oil - used to have to be done at the rear, we have now made it accessible at the front."

Autonomous clamp adjustment

The SBZ 141 features - with the additional controlled axis - an autonomous clamp adjustment with absolute measuring system. The material clamps are thus adjusted automatically, even during machining and independently of the rest of the machine's function. The SBZ 140 has automatic clamp adjustment by index pin.

Controls and security

"We are really talking about much more than a facelift or an upgrade here," says Ladestein. "There really has been a big improvement step with these new machines. With each new generation of controller, the machine becomes faster than the previous one. Compared to the first machine 15 years ago, the speed has almost doubled." In addition to speed, improvements have also been made in the area of security. Regarding the security zone at the front, Ladestein says: "The latest development in the field of access monitoring is the Sick Laser Scanner Microscan3. Where previously a walk-in guard was used by means of light barriers and mechanical guards, we now use a laser scanner for optimal zone protection. Thanks to this laser scanner, the process automatically resumes when the situation is safe again." Ladestein concludes, "This revolutionary, intelligent method of access monitoring results in even faster machine handling and prevents unnecessary downtime."