tube & pipe
By Gretchen Salois, senior editor
Above: Engineer operating the robot on the BLM GROUP LT-FREE.
Below: Heat shields produced on the BLM GROUP LT-FREE.
Steel Tube pipes
Double duty
Dual work chambers allow the machine to keep working during loading and offloading
A

t Sharpe Products, each day brings with it a wide range of tasks. “We never know what types of jobs we’re going to get from fabricators or other customers,” says Paul Krickeberg, president and CEO.

The industrial and commercial tube and pipe bending, laser tube cutting, and custom fabricator needs to be able to cut holes into tubing before and after the bending process. “No matter how many features you’re able to cut before bending, there are still parts where notching, coping or slottings must be done after the bend, whether due to location or complexity,” Krickeberg says.

Most recently, Sharpe purchased the LT-FREE 5-axis laser cutting system from BLM GROUP. The ability to process a wide range of parts is essential for the company. The LT-FREE’s dual work chambers and index tables allow users to load and offload parts while the machine is cutting, saving on production time. The part is manipulated by the robot, which makes it possible to cut geometries to specification on complex-shaped parts, such as the radius of a pre-bent tube or 3D hydroformed or stamped part.

For over 30 years, Sharpe Products, New Berlin, Wisconsin, has offered custom tube and pipe bending as well as laser cutting, end-forming and other specialized services. The company has purchased numerous machines from BLM GROUP. Sharpe Products also has BLM LT Fiber, LS5, LT5 and E-Turn machines.

Located 15 minutes outside of Milwaukee, Sharpe Products operates out of two locations. “We may be tasked with cutting features on a 6-in.-OD tube for an engineering customer designing a new product or creating specialized slots or cutouts for an OEM,” Krickeberg says. “We need to be able to respond so that we can supply whatever it is they need.”

Since installing the LT-FREE, we’ve been able to shift how we have our production floor set up.
Paul Krickeberg, Sharpe Products
The BLM GROUP LT-FREE laser cutting system is built for complex, three-dimensional part profiles.
BLM GROUP
The BLM GROUP LT-FREE laser cutting system is built for complex, three-dimensional part profiles.
Since installing the LT-FREE, we’ve been able to shift how we have our production floor set up.
Paul Krickeberg, Sharpe Products
Simplified process
Since its release in 2013, BLM GROUP has added smart functions to the LT-FREE, known as “Active Tools” that simplify the process for operators. Features such as active speed automatically optimize parameters at actual speed without operator input; active piercing, which improves piercing efficiency and increases quality and reliability; active focus, which changes laser focus for each geometry and simplifies complex part management; active grippers that add input/output (I/O) options and active tool management for high-accuracy applications; and active restart, which minimizes part waste.
BLM GROUP’s ArtCut 5-axis CAM software allows users to program the machine offline using a 3D model and clicking on the geometries to cut. ArtCut simulations ensure the program is good prior to part processing. The company’s tube-processing experience allows additional functions, such as adding extra length to the end of the tube.

The human machine interface (HMI) eliminates complex machine programming, including robot programming and the need for laser machining expertise. From the 3D preview of the part, users can move any geometry with one click or add micro joints if necessary. A comprehensive database includes cutting parameters for any application.

Heat shields
The BLM GROUP E-Turn is used for multi-axis bending operations.
Each machine has helped Sharpe Products expand its offerings to customers, with greater capacity to tackle a wider variety of part configurations. “We recently completed our company training on the LT-FREE,” Krickeberg says. “We’ve been able to shift how we have our production floor set up by moving our tube and flat sheet laser equipment into one dedicated area. The LT-FREE increases efficiency over machining and eliminates the need for consumable tooling (end-mills, drill bits, etc.).”

Repeatable quality and tolerances coupled with readily available customer service from BLM were selling points for Sharpe Products. “Laser spring back features put us ahead of competitors using hydraulic machines.” Krickeberg says. “We’re able to provide our customers with consistent, high-quality parts. It’s an advantage for us.”

BLM GROUP USA
Novi, Michigan, 248/560-0080, blmgroupusa.com.
Sharpe Products
New Berlin, Wisconsin, 800/879-4418, sharpeproducts.com.
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