Already in 1993 VAI SEUTHE has developed the cage forming FCF technology (Flexible Cold Forming), a method to directly form tubes without a previous round tube – in different dimensions, small batches and intermediate sizes. The process allows to carry out tube forming immediately without the need of round tube pre-forming. This technology provides for short changeover times and perfectly suits small batch production.
The direct forming avoids a thickening of material in the corner radii and provides an optimal utilization of the strip material. Consequently between 2 to 5 % material can be saved by using the cage forming FCF technology.
Cost-effective small batch production
The principle of the FCF technology is simple. The metal strip is fed from the coil in the forming section and then pulled continuously by tools. Universal, centrally adjustable roll sets for direct forming of square and rectangular sections in the range of 20 x 20 mm to 400 x 400 mm (with different line sizes) allow extremely fast dimension changes. This results in an economic production of especially very small quantities. Benefits of cage forming FCF technology at a glance:
