A bar feeder is a specialized piece of workshop engineering that does exactly what the names implies, which is to feed bars to CNC machines. By utilizing bar feeders, workshops can put a CNC into continuous and unobstructed operation without having to worry about providing metal bars that constitute the main workpiece material.
Bar feeders are considered to be a CNC extension, so they are directly connected and controlled by the latter. Operators, however, may also set a particular feeding rate that is fit for an application manually. The metal bars are held on the storage chamber and are taken out one by one to be passed into the CNC milling chamber. Bar feeders today are capable of detecting abnormal operation, stopping the feed automatically.
What to think about before purchasing
Bar feeders are available in various shapes and sizes as manufacturers try to offer a specialized solution for each workshop's special need. The aspiring buyer has to keep in mind that bar feeders were created to work well with CNCs, so the technical specifications are important or else the two machines could be incompatible. Find a list of the four most important things to consider when buying a bar feeder below:
Magazine Size Needs
The size of the magazine that holds the bars is a critical factor to consider when buying a bar feeder. Determine what type of bars you want to process (gauge class) and calculate how many of them can be held on the magazine. Then consider the feeding rate to figure out how many hours of unattended operation you can get from the feeder. Usually, a minimum of 8 hours (night shift) should be preferred.
Lengths of Part and Spindle
Is the part that you want to mill long or short in relation to the maximum bar length that the feeder can hold? How many finished workpieces is a bar going to last for? What is the length of the bar that will be held at the spindle? These are the kind of questions that a buyer needs to answer before figuring out the production efficiency of a bar feeder with precision. Sometimes, a buyer will have to spend quite some time calculating all possible configurations for a bar feeder, but if a workshop produces specific workpieces at known length, the time and effort to take those into account are worth it.
Operational Safety
As bar feeders are required to work well for long periods of time without the presence of personnel, it is very important to have safety features that monitor the operation and check for errors in the process. Some safety net mechanisms that are used by modern bar feeders include sensors, load meters, infrared beams and streaming webcams that send video technicians remotely.
Floor Space
Bar feeders are installed right next to the CNC, so considering if a workshop has enough floor space for such a machine is imperative. Also, remember that it's not only about fitting a machine in a corner, but also providing for enough space for regular maintenance and access in the compartments. Finally, if a crane will be used for the feeding of the magazine, enough maneuvering space should be considered.
Bar feeders are considered to be a CNC extension, so they are directly connected and controlled by the latter. Operators, however, may also set a particular feeding rate that is fit for an application manually. The metal bars are held on the storage chamber and are taken out one by one to be passed into the CNC milling chamber. Bar feeders today are capable of detecting abnormal operation, stopping the feed automatically.
What to think about before purchasing
Bar feeders are available in various shapes and sizes as manufacturers try to offer a specialized solution for each workshop's special need. The aspiring buyer has to keep in mind that bar feeders were created to work well with CNCs, so the technical specifications are important or else the two machines could be incompatible. Find a list of the four most important things to consider when buying a bar feeder below:
Magazine Size Needs
The size of the magazine that holds the bars is a critical factor to consider when buying a bar feeder. Determine what type of bars you want to process (gauge class) and calculate how many of them can be held on the magazine. Then consider the feeding rate to figure out how many hours of unattended operation you can get from the feeder. Usually, a minimum of 8 hours (night shift) should be preferred.
Lengths of Part and Spindle
Is the part that you want to mill long or short in relation to the maximum bar length that the feeder can hold? How many finished workpieces is a bar going to last for? What is the length of the bar that will be held at the spindle? These are the kind of questions that a buyer needs to answer before figuring out the production efficiency of a bar feeder with precision. Sometimes, a buyer will have to spend quite some time calculating all possible configurations for a bar feeder, but if a workshop produces specific workpieces at known length, the time and effort to take those into account are worth it.
Operational Safety
As bar feeders are required to work well for long periods of time without the presence of personnel, it is very important to have safety features that monitor the operation and check for errors in the process. Some safety net mechanisms that are used by modern bar feeders include sensors, load meters, infrared beams and streaming webcams that send video technicians remotely.
Floor Space
Bar feeders are installed right next to the CNC, so considering if a workshop has enough floor space for such a machine is imperative. Also, remember that it's not only about fitting a machine in a corner, but also providing for enough space for regular maintenance and access in the compartments. Finally, if a crane will be used for the feeding of the magazine, enough maneuvering space should be considered.
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