With the stainless steel industry need for a smaller and more compact rotary brush machine, deburring machine manufacturers Timesavers International has developed the 22 RB series rotary brush machine, which Timesavers’ local distributor and cutting, welding and grinding solutions provider First Cut will distribute in South Africa from May 2021.

The 22 RB series is the most compact and affordable model in the company’s RB Series product range, with a 600-mm-wide rotary brush machine that is ideal for companies with a smaller capacity requirement, space constraints or smaller budgets, says First Cut machine division GM Anthony Lezar.

“Our Dutch principal Timesavers International previously introduced the 42 RB series, a larger machine, in width sizes of 1 300 mm or 1 600 mm, but then saw the need in the market for a smaller machine with a width of 1 100 mm – the 32 RB series. This was soon followed by market demand for an even smaller machine – the 22 RB series.”

He notes that fabricators and other industrial customers that produce smaller components – which are up to 600 mm wide – will benefit from using a more compact, user-friendly machine for edge rounding, finishing and deburring applications.

“With the 22 RB series, more efficient and cost-effective operations are also ensured.”

The benefit that this machine has in the stainless steel market is that it can also cater for the requirements of smaller companies or small to medium-sized enterprises. Brushing, deburring or rounding the edges of their components or products for higher-quality finishes results in higher-quality products and companies can, therefore, enter and supply new markets. Applications include edge rounding/breaking and finishing of metal with brushes.

Current local demand for this machine depends on its application and the size requirements of the components that the company will be brushing or deburring –which may vary significantly – for customers.

While challenges and changes have impacted the stainless steel industry since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the supply of the 22 RB will be minimally affected.

“The greatest challenge during the pandemic globally has been source material shortages. However, the 22 RB is in stock at First Cut. Ordering in advance helps to mitigate some of the challenges associated with lockdown restrictions.”

Industries Benefits

Features of the Conformitè Europëenne-certified 22 RB, in addition to the machine working width of 600 mm, include a vacuum table, with an integrated automatic cleaning cycle for processing small products.

The brush units are easily changeable and various brush types allow for the multifunctional use of materials. The transport speed of the 22 RB ranges from 0.5 m/min to 8 m/min.

Advantages of the 22 RB include low tooling costs and low energy consumption, optimal process visibility and maximum user-friendliness. The machine manages all materials for processing such as stainless steel, steel, aluminium and copper.

It can also remove burrs on laser-cut, water-jet and punched products, as well as laser oxide.

The machine uses automation company Siemens’ programmable logic controllers and human-machine interfaces for operational processes, and parameters to be adjusted automatically.

The 22 RB machine is suitable for the use of collaborative robots (‘Cobots’) and integration in an Industry 4.0 and Smart Industry software platform, which Lezar says is a “unique feature” in this particular market segment.