Steel coil handling made easier with hydraulic uncoiler

The steel fabrication process often requires the use of large heavy steel coils.  The inherent danger in handling these coils is obvious to many.  Having the proper uncoiler or decoiler is essential to safe efficient operation.

How to load an uncoiler?

The proper use and loading of steel coil on to an uncoiler, such as those used in the rollforming process, requires a heighten sense of awareness.  Rushing is simply not an option here.  While loading the coil of steel typically with the use of a forklift truck operators must gently place the coil.  Slow steady movement will help to keep the uncoiler aligned with the rest of the line.  This alignment is critical in the end quality of roll formed parts.

How to install and align an uncoiler machine

Proper installation and alignment are critical for proper operation of your rollforming line.  Having the mandrel perpendicular to the center line becomes ever more important with wider strips.  Sliding uncoilers should have the coil plate or shoulder accurately aligned with the center line.  The back plate of the unit should line up accurately with the shaft shoulder in the rolling mill.

Hydraulic Uncoiler

The benefits to using a hydraulic uncoiler are many.  One of the main features is the use of a hold-down arm.  This arm presses down on the steel coil ensuring there is no kickback or springing of the coil.

Sheet metal uncoiler and recoiler

The process of uncoiling steel coils for the roll forming process is critical to the overall quality.  Having the sheet metal uncoil to faster or to slow will have a serious negative impact on the final profile.  One way to reduce and potentially eliminate this is to have the correct coil size and an automated uncoiler/decoiler.

Common problems with incorrect coil handling

• Pulled skin
• Oil canning
• Twisting
• Nonuniform profile shape
• Snapping or breaking 

Reduce coil costs with automated steel coil slitting line

A simple and quick method to reduce costs and improve part quality is to first feed the correct size coil in to the forming line.  The most common method of doing this is to cut the master coil in to properly sized coils with a Coil slitting machine and equipment.

Common benefits of cutting master coils

• Reduce waste
• Increase precision of roll forming process
• Integrated automation software
• Quick changeover times
• Increased productivity

Having the right equipment in your steel fabrication process will help to reduce your overall costs, increase efficiency's and allow you to reach new markets and more customers.

How to maintain your uncoiler machine for optimum performance

Coil Cradles

The coil cradle is the oldest of the coil handling technologies. Material is fed off the front of the coil away from the press and then loops over the top of the cradle. Typically, its mechanics consist of two rollers, a motor, and a chain drive. Cradles usually are rugged and can handle abuse, such as dropping coils a few inches, without suffering damage. They are suitable for heavy-gauge materials and contract stamping operations involving quick, job-to-job coil changeover.

Uncoiler machine maintenance

With a cradle, cosmetic damage may occur on material surfaces such as polished steel, soft aluminum alloys, and plated or painted. Dirt or debris on the cradle rollers may become imbedded in the surface or mar finishes.
Because the coil rests on just two roller surfaces, the load-bearing capacity of the material surface diminishes as the thickness decreases.

Servo drives and feeds for uncoiler machines

Servo Drive Roll Feeds

In today's just-in-time (JIT) order environment, many stamping shops are challenged to produce smaller batch runs, which can necessitate more frequent die changes. Therefore, quick die changeover and setup times are critical. Flexibility of major components, such as the coil cradle, uncoiler, straightener, feeder, and press, is also an important factor. Time saved in setup allows you to increase productivity.

Drive systems for uncoiler machines

On average, roll feeds take less time to set up and are more flexible than traditional mechanical feeds. Accuracies of ±0.001 in. and feed length ranges from 0.001 in. to 999.99 in. are the norm for servo drive roll feeds. Adjusting acceleration and speed parameters allows you to tune the roll feed to a particular job. When possible, slower accelerations and speeds should be used. This promotes increased accuracy and smoother material flow and eases the load on the uncoiling system. This smoother material flow can allow you to process a range of materials, such as painted and polished stock. Another advantage of roll feeds is their ability to adapt and maximize the available press feed angle.

Safe ways to uncoil steel coils for roll forming machines

Rollforming machines most often use steel coils for continued high volume production.  These coils are loaded at the front end of the roll former system and feed through various pieces of machinery such as a flattener.

Uncoiler Machine Safety

The main purpose of a decoiler, or uncoiler, is to safely handle the extremely heavy coils.  This includes the safe  unwinding of the coil as it feeds in to the machine.  Uncoiler machine safety is extremely important in these high speed automated processes. A rollformer is motor driven and will pull the steel from the coil.  Most powered uncoilers are also powered and will 'match' their speed with the line speed.  This helps to reduce slipping of the coil and free running.

How to install an uncoiler.

For more information on the advantages of having a uncoiler machine with your roll former machine check out Industrial Machinery News.

Uncoiler Machine for Steel Coils

There are many uncoiler machines on the market for handling steel coils.  The option's and features range across all manufacturers of uncoilers/decoilers.

Uncoiler Machine

How to determine what coil handling machine is best for you.
Some of the most common specifications uncoiler manufacturers require are:

• Coil size (web width)
• Coil weight
• Line speed (typ. for rollformer machines)
• etc...

When contacting an uncoiler manufacturer make sure you have all these specifications ready.