Plate processing centre, Plate processing machine, Sheet Metal Working Center for plate processing

The Plate processing centre as a combined plate-drilling-flame-cutting unit or as a portal flame-cutting unit with drilling unit.

The plate processing centre is an important part of the automatic sheet metal production in steel construction, steel trade and metal construction. Manufacturers of these plate processing machines are internationally known companies such as: Ficep, Peddinghaus, Kaltenbach, Voortman, Vernet-Behringer, Akyapak and Danobat. These economical plate processing machines are available for sheet metal widths or plate and flat steel widths from 600 mm to 3100 mm.

As an economical entry-level machine, the Peddimat FDB 600 drill-burning system from Peddinghaus has been used in the past successfully many times in steel construction. As a used plate processing machine, this type of machine is reliable and reasonably priced. Spare parts and service are available from Nenok. However, in order to be able to use common standard sheet metal formats from the steel trade without large offcuts, machines with a larger processing width are required. Used sheet metal working centers for sheet metal widths from 600 mm to 3100 mm can be found regularly at Nenok in Cologne.

To give you an overview of the machines available on the market, we have listed the different machine models below. Basically, all these sheet metal working centers are reliable machines and in multiple use worldwide.

Plate processing machines model overview:

Peddinghaus plate processing machines

Examples of types: FDB 600, HSFDB 600, FDB 1000, FDB 1500, FDB 2500, HSFDB 2500, etc.

Plate drilling torch with integrated drilling unit, oxyfuel torch and/or plasma torch cutting unit and roll measuring feed as length measuring system. The first two numbers of these drilling and burning systems describe the sheet width to be processed, whereby the usual sheet lengths are usually 6000 mm. The roll measuring feed makes it possible to extend the infeed roller table without great effort, thus enabling the processing of longer flat steel. However, the maximum workpiece weight must be taken into account. The abbreviation HS in the Peddinghaus HSFDB stands for high speed drilling, here a reinforced drilling unit is used in which carbide drills can also be used. In the latest models of the HSFDB series with the additional designation "B", the drilling spindle is also capable of milling. The younger machines are usually also equipped with a tool changer.

Kaltenbach plate processing centre

Examples of types: KF1505, KF 1606, KF 1614, KF 2114, KF 2506, KF 2512, KF 2614, KF 3114

For these sheet metal processing centers, the first two numbers describe the sheet width to be processed, with the usual sheet lengths usually being 6000 mm. The next two numbers indicate the number of drilling tool positions in the tool changer. These lines have one or two integrated drilling units with tool changer, an oxyfuel flame cutting unit and/or a plasma cutting unit are used for flame cutting. A gripper measuring carriage is used for material transport and length measurement. The newer systems from approx. year of manufacture 2018 have as an option the use of a particularly powerful drilling unit which enables milling processing.

Ficep plate processing centre

Examples of types: Tipo A15, Tipo A25, Tipo A31, series for drilling and flame cutting

In these drilling and flame cutting machines, the first two numbers describe the sheet width to be machined Tipo A 15 for 1500 mm sheet width etc. whereas the usual sheet lengths are mostly 6000 mm. As used machines are available units of the models Tipo A15, Tipo A 25 and Tipo A 31. All drilling units are equipped with a drilling spindle suitable for the use of carbide tools and a tool changer. The newer units of this model range have the possibility of milling. The length measurement is carried out by means of a pushing and pulling measuring carriage with gripper tongs.

Ficep Tipo B161, Tipo B251, Tipo B254, Tipo C16, Tipo C25

Tipo series for drilling, punching and flame cutting

In these sheet metal working centers, the first two numbers describe the sheet metal width to be worked Tipo B 161 for 1600 mm sheet metal width etc. whereas the usual sheet metal lengths are usually 6000 mm. In this model range, the machine is equipped with a drilling unit and tool changer, a punching unit and tool changer, and a flame cutting unit for oxyfuel flame cutting and plasma flame cutting.

Ficep Tipo G25LG and Tipo G31LG

Series for drilling, thermal cutting of large metal sheets

For these large sheet metal working centers, the two numbers describe the sheet width to be machined Tipo G25 for 2500 mm sheet width etc. whereas the usual sheet lengths are usually 6000 mm. Sheet lengths of 12,000 mm are also possible as an option. In this model series, the machine, which is of gantry construction, is equipped with one or two drilling units and a generous tool changer, as well as a thermal cutting unit for oxy-fuel cutting and/or plasma cutting.

Voortman plate processing machines

Examples of types: V320, V330, V325 series for drilling, flame cutting and milling

In the Voortman V320 series, the plate processing machine is equipped with a drilling unit for high-performance drilling with tool changer, and also has a flame cutting unit for oxy-fuel flame cutting or plasma flame cutting. The Voortman V330 series has two separate machining gantries, which provide the additional option of separate drilling and simultaneous flame cutting.

Vernet plate processing centre

Examples of types: MAG B, MAG evo series for drilling, punching and flame cutting

In the Vernet MAG B or MAG B² model series, the plate processing machine is equipped with a drilling unit and a tool changer, a punching unit and a tool changer, and a flame cutting unit for oxyfuel flame cutting and plasma flame cutting. In the B² version, the systems are equipped with a second processing unit on the same machine frame. In the MAG evo series, the lines are designed for drilling, milling, marking, scribing and flame cutting. All these Vernet sheet metal working lines are designed for high speed machining.

In the different variations of this type of plant, the plates, sheets or flat steels are predominantly first drilled, signed and then burned out to the dimension specified by the CNC control system using an oxyacetylene torch or plasma torch. Both HSS coolant channel drills and, in the newer machines, carbide drills with indexable inserts and solid carbide drills are used for drilling. These drills are all designed for high drilling performance with an internal cooling channel. In this case, the drilling tools are cooled directly at the cutting edge of the tool and thus have less wear, which enables higher drilling performance and a longer service life. Various rigs can also countersink and tap on the drilling unit. Since about 2017, some of the new machines have a particularly stable drilling unit with a high drive power, which also enables milling. In many cases, the sheet metal centers also have a marking unit with embossing wheel or as a milling unit. Flame cutting is performed either with an oxyfuel cutting torch or with plasma flame cutting technology. Oxyfuel torch cutting is used for thicker sheets (from 20 mm) and plasma torch cutting for thinner sheets (below 30 mm). Plasma equipment from Hypertherm or Kjellberg is usually used as the plasma cutting source. Due to the continuous modernization of the plasma torch cutting technology, the accuracies and cutting performances are continuously improved and today they also reach much higher cutting thicknesses (30 to 50 mm) with higher accuracies at the same time.

Automatic drill torch systems have been available from Peddinghaus (types FDB 600 and Wagner WBZ 1000 (today Kaltenbach) since approx. 1984. Since then, these drill torch systems have been an important component for economical flat steel processing of head plates, foot plates and gusset plates. Especially the older drilling torches are after an overhaul by Nenok very robust machines with a high reliability. Nenok has sold more than 80 used sheet metal working centers all over the world during the last 25 years. In order to operate the drilling burning machines economically, it is necessary to purchase programming software for CAD data transfer in DSTV or DXF format of the machines.

Example photos of modern and economical plate processing machines.

Plate drilling machine Peddinghaus FDB 600 at the autogenous flame cutting of a flange

Peddinghaus FDB 1000 plate drilling machine for use in steel construction

Peddinghaus FDB 2500 Sheet metal working center for drilling and firing flat steel

Carbide drills in use on a Kaltenbach KF 1505 sheet metal processing center

Kaltenbach KF 2515 Blechbearbeitungszentrum — Kaltenbach KF 2515 Sheet metal working center for drilling and flame cutting

Ficep Tipo B 251 Blechbearbeitungszentrum beim Plasmaschneiden — Ficep Tipo B 251 Sheet metal working center for plasma cutting with Hypertherm HPR260

Ficep Tipo B 251 Blechbearbeitungszentrum — Ficep Tipo B 251 Sheet metal working center for drilling and flame cutting metal sheets

Kopfplatten und Verbindungsplatten Hergestellt auf Ficep Tipo B251 — Head plates and connecting plates Made on a Ficep Tipo B251 Sheet Metal Working Center

Peddinghaus FDB 600 beim Autogenbrennschneiden — Peddinghaus FDB 600 for oxy-fuel cutting of a head plate for steel construction

Verbindungsbleche hergestellt auf einem Blechbearbeitungszentrum zum Bohren und Brennen — Connecting plates made on a sheet metal working center for drilling and flame cutting

Kaltenbach KF Blechbearbeitunszentrum mit zwei Plasmabrennern — Kaltenbach KF Sheet metal processing center with two plasma torches and 2 drilling units

Beam drill line with coping robot

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