TigerStop, a machinery design company for the wood, metal, plastic, and fenestration manufacturing markets, has spent 17 years providing sophisticated stop gauges and push systems for accurate and consistent positioning to machine tools for cutting, bending, drilling, or any linear processing. Their goal is to reduce scrap product, save money and improve time to process for their customers.
Originally, TigerRack™, their rack-and-pinion driven system, used an internally designed linear guide; however, TigerStop® decided to integrate the advantages of PBC Linear’s Integral-V™ Technology (IVT) into the product. Comprised of a structural aluminum extrusion embedded with steel races, IVT is precision machined to hold accuracy tolerances to ±0.025mm/0.001". The embedded steel races and machining also ensure easy install and alignment with 40% fewer mounting components, further reducing set-up time. Going from concept to drawing in just two months, the entire design process was completed via rapid prototyping in less than six months.
Utilizing IVT, the TigerRack provides accurate positioning for band saws, punches, bending machines, and brakes by holding precision to =/- 0.008". The cam roller design of IVT allows it to roll smoothly through metal or wood chips without stalling or misalignment. Another advantage of using IVT is overall length. Equipped with IVT, the TigerRack™assembly can be scaled to meet application needs from 8’ to 108’ – perfect for either individual workstations or multi-line factories. The rack and pinion drive accurately push loads ranging from 300 lbs. to 720 lbs. (with roller table) and up to 300 fpm. All in all, the TigerRack offers a durable and cost-effective push system and stop gauge in one easily assembled package.
“We have several machines in the field with IVT rails and have no major service issues with these units; they are performing as expected if not better,” says Simon Soot, operations manager, TigerStop. “The machine in house using IVT continues to produce reliable and accurate parts, even with a very large load or carriage attached.” With 20,000 machines in operation worldwide, TigerStop has been a driving force in accurate material positioning since 1994. They manufacture several stop-gauges and push systems for scalable positioning applications, and strive to increase productivity and eliminate loss of product by positioning material fast and accurate, every time.
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