Lightweight but Extremely Strong T-Beams for Automotive Applications

Offering interchangeable tooling, Bilsing Automation’s (Attendorn, Germany) servo-controlled carbon fiber (CF) T-beams for high-speed tandem presses deliver speed and flexibility for automotive stamping, where there’s an increasing need to handle multiple parts produced from a single stamping die. They meet the dimensional specifications and requirements of General Motors worldwide engineering standards and adapt to any robotic application.

The carbon fiber beams are approximately 70% lighter than steel and 25% lighter than aluminum solutions, providing 3.5 times the stiffness of steel tooling at less than half the weight. Their high elastic stiffness significantly reduces vibration and deflection to settle more rapidly and provide higher precision compared to other materials. This allows for a smaller press opening during the stamping process. These features improve production rates by up to 20%, put less wear and tear on machine parts, and lower capital equipment investment through use of smaller robots and servo drives.

Over its lifespan, carbon fiber tooling can provide a higher return on investment considering users can get more parts out the door, reduce energy costs due to moving less tooling mass, and extend equipment life because the material’s lighter mass puts less stress on automation, robots, presses, etc.

Bilsing has proven success in replacing traditional aluminum or steel structures in a variety of applications with carbon fiber tools that meet dimensional and performance specification requirements as defined by various OEM or governing organization standards. The company offers a wide variety of CF profiles, including customized profiles for specific applications.

www.bilsing-automation.com