Product category:
Machine Building Components
News Release from: Machine Building Systems | Subject: Stainless-steel profile systems
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 13 November 2006
Profile system switches to stainless
steel
Item has introduced a new 40x40 stainless-steel profile together with a range of stainless-steel fasteners and T-slot nuts to suit.
Over the last 20 years or so aluminium profile systems have become the standard method of building special-purpose machines and much production equipment However there are still a substantial number of applications where aluminium is not considered suitable, such as food, some medical, corrosive and high-temperature environments
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 30 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Now Item has introduced a new 40x40 stainless-steel profile together with a range of stainless-steel fasteners and T-slot nuts to suit, available from Machine Building Systems in Ripley, Derbyshire.
The profile consists of two tightly toleranced steel sheets 1.5mm thick, which are folded in a continuous process by a very complex tool, and laser-welded together.
The profile has four further continuous laser welds along the corner webs of the profile - a patented feature which enhances torsional rigidity and ensures good bending resistance.
Having the mechanical properties of steel makes it suitable for high-temperature applications of up to 200C, whereas aluminium starts to lose strength at temperatures much above 100C.
Like the aluminium profiles, the steel version has a dished surface which, when joints are tightened or parts fastened on, acts as an antivibration washer.
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It also uses its own version of the Item Standard Fasteners and Universal Fasteners which provide a large contact area, reducing points of peak stress which can otherwise result in a fastener starting to loosen.
You can go one step further with the steel profile of course: once the framework is fully configured and final positions have been established, it is possible to weld the joints in place, making sure that nothing moves, ever.
Significant sales are expected to food machinery manufacturers who, although not always welcoming T-slots, nevertheless have areas in their machines where adjustment must be provided.
In these areas expensive slotted plates must at present be used, which are no more hygienic than the far less costly new stainless-steel profile.
In general, bolt-together aluminium frameworks are nonconductive due to the anodised surface layer.
This is sometimes a problem for users of aluminium systems.
Although well-developed systems such as Item have proprietary parts available for ensuring earth-bonding across all joints, it can be a time-consuming process fitting them, especially when there are many struts in the framework.
Some systems claim to have conductive joints whereby the anodised surface is broken to achieve conductivity but, in reality, many of these are only usually effective when the framework is first put together.
In a relatively short time, natural surface corrosion occurs which is itself nonconductive.
Item's new steel profile comprises all-steel fixings which guarantee electrical conductivity over the longer term.
Aluminium profiles can be quite well suited to harsh environments.
Should there be any scratches or dents, an new protected surface is created by a natural oxidisation process.
Unlike a painted fabricated-steel framework there is no unsightly rusting.
However, some environments do present challenging situations: because the new Item steel profile is made from stainless steel (BS304), it is particularly suited where use of chemicals is likely to corrode aluminium, or for offshore and outside applications.
Another property not very often considered is the relative failure modes of steel and aluminium.
Obviously, a properly designed and constructed aluminium frame ought never give any rise to problems of fatigue.
The profile sizes and numbers of fasteners should always be sufficient to prevent over-stressing.
However, unforeseen circumstances do arise and the mechanical properties of steel are such that any failure in the profiles will occur long after significant visible deformation has taken place.
So the new stainless-steel profile may well be better suited to areas where loads are uncertain or unpredictable, or fatigue is likely to be a problem.
There is little doubt that a properly constructed aluminium frame looks superior to a fabricated and painted steel construction, especially after some years of use, because its anodised surface is easy to clean.
However, when subjected to heavy impact, the anodised layer becomes damaged and attempts to "repair" the damage are not always sufficiently successful.
The new stainless-steel profile doesn't rely on a special surface layer so scratches and small dents can easily be polished out.
Naturally, Item has ensured that the 8mm T-slot form is very similar to the that in its Line-8 aluminium series, thus enabling the user to have access to a very wide range of readily-available compatible parts. Request a free brochure from Machine Building Systems ...
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