At Grotnes, our commitment to innovation and precision in metalforming equipment spans more than 125 years. Our W Beader machine exemplifies this commitment by offering a seamless solution for forming the “W” bead on 55-gallon (210L) drums in a single process. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this machine a game-changer in drum manufacturing, producing different styles and combinations of drums with the same machine.
Precision Forming with Versatile Tooling
The W Beader is engineered to form the ISO “W” Bead on a 55-gallon drum. With optional tooling, it can also create corrugations at each end of the drum, adding versatility to its functionality. This flexibility allows manufacturers to produce drums with various configurations:
Corrugations only
ISO Beads only
ISO Beads with two panels of corrugation (3, 4 and/or 5 corrugations are also available)
Durable Mechanical Design
This machine boasts a fully mechanical design, promoting reliability and durability. It features two forming heads that move into the drum body from each end using crank arms. Each head is equipped with both an inside forming roll and an outside forming roll. The inside forming rolls are powered by gear motors, while the outside rolls are mounted on bearings, enabling them to follow the speed of the driven rolls. This synchronization ensures a smooth and precise forming process.
A distinct aspect of the W Beader is its cam system, located under each head, which raises the inside forming rolls. This lifts the drum shell out of the index conveyor, eliminating the need for a cradle. Additionally, the outside rolls are adjustable, allowing for precise establishment of the required ISO “W” bead profile.
Built for Strength and Efficiency
Constructed from heavy, stress-relieved steel weldments, the bed and rams of the W Beader are built to withstand rigorous use. The drive train and forming roll section utilize anti-friction bearings, reducing wear and tear and leading to long-term operational efficiency.
Sequence of Operation
The conveyor places a drum body onto the load/unload nest between the forming heads.
A part present sensor detects the drum body and communicates with the line controller to initialize the forming cycle.
The forming heads advance and pick up the drum from the load nest.
The beads or corrugations are formed on the drum.
After forming, the drum is lowered back onto the load/unload nest.
The forming heads retract from the drum.
The line controller receives a part complete signal, and the conveyor removes the finished drum from the load/unload nest.
The estimated cycle time for beading or corrugating is 3.8 seconds (excluding load/unload time). For the same drum size but different bead locations or depths, manual adjustments take less than 5 minutes. For a different drum size, changing the die diameter and making manual adjustments takes less than 10 minutes.
Connect with Grotnes Today
The Grotnes W Beader combines innovative design with robust construction to deliver unmatched performance in drum manufacturing. Its ability to switch between different drum configurations quickly makes it an invaluable asset for any production line.
Connect with our team today to learn more about our comprehensive suite of metalforming equipment and how Grotnes can help you deliver superior results with every drum produced.
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