New Komax Automated Wire Processing System from Contax

Contax Ltd - UK

10 October 2006

Production automation system specialist, Contax Ltd, has announced the new Komax Alpha 355 automated cut, strip and crimp machine. Designed for automotive and other high volume, high quality, applications, this fully automatic system offers multiple process options. These include: double ended crimping and double crimping, as well as an automatic quality check.

The Alpha 355 offers a significant price advantage over larger systems, yet retains the benefits of speed, quality and efficient job changeover.

Komax’s latest low profile machine frame and safety cover, together with the advanced carbon fibre swivel arm design ensures that the Alpha 355 is both fast and strong. The lower mass provides greatly increased acceleration when moving from the cutting position to other processing stations, whilst the carbon fibre construction offers greater strength, and prevents long-term stress induced metal fatigue.

When starting production the machine produces a single crimp from which it checks ‘crimp-height’ and ‘pull force’ as well as recording the ‘crimp force signature’ automatically. Seconds later, the operator can start production of the next job. For wires up to 6mm2 it can crimp, double-crimp, and seal both ends.

The machine also features a dual fast changeover wire input. While one input is being used by the machine, a second input can be pre-loaded by the operator ready for the next job. The changeover is very swift, as the operator need only carry out three simple actions before the system is ready for use. Furthermore, the Alpha 355 selects the appropriate wire guide tube automatically, without the need for operator intervention.

Alpha 355 uses Komax’s standard user interface software package ‘Topwin,’ so ensuring easy operation.

“By using lightweight and precise high-tech materials, Komax has substantially increased the performance of the new Alpha 355 whilst keeping machine cost to a minimum,” said Phil Shorten, Integrated Automation Group Director at Contax Ltd. “Changeover times have also been greatly reduced with the new machine design. This combination of performance and ergonomics has resulted in an excellent new system, and one that offers the ultimate solution for high volume, high quality, lead manufacturing,” he said.