Time efficiency and smooth processes are just as important in the day-to-day work of enclosure builders as working with millimetre precision. This applies, for example, to punching holes in the enclosure. This is why ALFRA (Rittal Automation Systems) sells and assembles, among other things, pillar hole punches for processing enclosure doors and small to medium-sized enclosures - without any tedious pre-drilling.
Special devices for special challenges
The use of pillar hole punches is particularly useful when the number of punched-out holes or the material thickness pose particular challenges for enclosure manufacturers. Regardless of whether, for example, cables need to be fed through the openings, Harting connectors need to be inserted or a cut-out for a filter needs to be created - the models from the ALFRA Press line improve the production processes during punching with a bundle of features. Most importantly, they punch square, rectangular and round openings not only in enclosure doors and housings, but also in mounting plates, terminal boxes, cable ducts or cable guide plates. Depending on the model, the three variants AP 600, AP 400 and AP 250 are suitable for processing enclosures or switch cabinet doors with a depth of up to 600 mm, 400 mm or 250 mm. Depending on the model, the punches can be used on sheet steel with a thickness of between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm. Stainless steel can be processed up to a thickness of 2.0 mm. The devices from the AP line can also punch plastic up to 4.0 mm thick.
Burr-free and effortless work step savings
All three models utilise concentrated punching power. This means that the sheet metal punches used with the AP 250 and AP 400 hit the material with 46 kN, while the AP 600 even offers 60 kN. ALFRA electro-hydraulic pumps act as drive units for the variants with 250 mm and 400 mm jaw depth. An inexpensive "entry-level solution" would be operation by means of a manual foot pump. A built-in hydraulic unit provides power for the AP 600. The result: The fast punching process alone makes a major contribution to the accelerated processes, as it only takes seconds - as does the lightning-fast mould change. Alternatively, enclosure manufacturers use jigsaws to create the necessary openings. However, this not only takes valuable minutes, it also produces chips and sharp edges. This requires additional work steps, such as deburring and chip removal. In contrast to the punching process with manual punching machines, which is also possible, pre-drilling is also not necessary with the models in the AP line. The user achieves burr-free punching in just a few simple steps.
Precise to the millimetre, even in the edge area
Thanks to different die supports, users can also punch in extreme edge areas. A laser pointer indicates the centre of the tool. Marking or scribing to position the tool precisely is no longer necessary. Instead, a simple marking with a pen is sufficient.
The swivelling and height-adjustable support arms, with which all AP punches are equipped, are also practical. When using the AP 250 and AP 400, for example, this design enables the user to place control cabinet doors, side panels or flange plates on top of the machine in order to process them. Thanks to the attachable hinged stops, enclosure builders can fix the parts in place and punch them in series.
In the value chain for the customer, ALFRA sees AP punching machines as the perfect alternative for users who want to make their processes more efficient but for whom a fully automated solution is not yet an option.
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