Page 22 - ITATUBE Journal 1 2020

Technical Papers
Schwarze-Robitec GmbH
As good as new:
General overhaul of tube bending machines
An alternative to buying a new machine
To buy new or second-hand? When purchasing a car, consumers tend to make their decision based largely on price. And if you happen to have awell-maintainedcarinthegarage whose only downside is a stuttering engine, then a trip to the workshop is usually the first port of call. A similar approach can be applied to tube bending machines. Many companieshavebeenreliablyusing the high-investment machines for decades. But at some stage the technology might reach its limits. In some instances, a general over- haul can be an alternative to buying anewmachine.Inwhichcasesdoes this make sense and in which not? The tube bending machine manu- facturer Schwarze-Robitec provides an overview.
have to bend tubes precisely and quickly. Although a high-quality machine is a major investment, the costs are rapidly amortized. In addition, good machines are often in use for decades. Once the tech- nology reaches its limits, many users decide in favour of a general overhaul of their machine.
Old machine frame,
new components
One of the leading international experts in the sector of tube bending machines is Germa- ny-based company Schwarze-Ro- bitec. When a client orders a general overhaul of one of their machines at Schwarze-Robitec, it is usually back in operation six months later. However, clients only have to do without their machines for around eight weeks. Prior to the overhaul the tube bending machine manufacturer procures the necessary materials and purchased parts, and man- ufactures the components. Only then the machine is delivered and fully disassembled into its individ- ual parts. Schwarze-Robitec sand- blasts all welding components and the entire machine frame in order to remove the old paintwork. All welding seams are also checked. So whilst the machine frame and the welding components are re-used, all hydraulic and elec- trical installations are replaced, including hydraulic piping, cables, control cabinet, control technol- ogy and control panel. In addition, the entire machine safety system, including the CE components, for instance, is newly installed during
a general overhaul. This is due to the fact that statutory safety regulations have usually changed since the machine was first put into operation. This is ultimately followed by the assembly of the overhauled machine – includ- ing the preliminary acceptance test at Schwarze-Robitec’s site in Cologne and the machine being put into operation at the desired location – as is the case with a new machine. A 12-month war- ranty period is offered.
General overhauls are usually ordered by clients. However, in some instances the manufacturer sells a machine that has under- gone a general overhaul. This can be a particularly interesting prospect for buyers if the machine configuration is ideally suited to their performance require- ments and they are working on a tight budget. Since expensive parts such as the machine frame and welding components are re-used, an overhauled machine is roughly one-third cheaper than a new machine. And yet the buyer receives a product which is as good as new with state-of-the-art technology.
Schwarze-Robitec GmbH
Olpener Strasse 460-474 51109 Köln
Germany
Tel: +49221 89 00 8-0 Fax: +49221 89 00 8-9920
sales@schwarze-robitec.com www.schwarze-robitec.com
An overhauled machine: as good as a new, with state-of-the-art technology.
From the automotive industry to shipbuilding to power plant or boiler construction: In many industries, tube bending machines are an indispensable part of the manufacturing process. They
ITAtube Journal No1/July 2020
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