Optimised cutting processes

Cap Coupes Services handles custom cuts for a variety of materials. The French supplier cooperates with WIKUS to optimise its cutting processes. The saw specialist from Spangen-berg supplies several prefabricated products and also develops custom saw bands accord-ing to the customer's particular wishes.

The demands that Cap Coupes Services places on saw bands are high: Due to the large number of different materials and cross-sections to be cut - such as titanium, Inconel or super-duplex steel - the company needed numerous tools for different applications as well as reliable high-performance saw bands. In order to best meet these demanding requirements, the company began to look for a full-service partner with a comprehensive product range, extensive technical know-how and many years of consulting expertise regarding efficiency.

As a replacement for its former supplier, WIKUS extensive knowledge in the field of saw bands and other cutting tools, its wide range of high-tech products and excellent results immediately made a good impression during initial cutting tests. This was followed by more in-depth field testing under realistic application conditions, including a thorough analysis of cutting costs, where the customer placed a high value on the quality and efficiency of the products. Due to its expertise, WIKUS became the new main supplier for all sawing applications of the cutting service provider.

Durable saw bands

Based on these tests, Cap Coupes Services selected the products Taurus and Skalar Premium M42 as well as a custom-made product. Taurus is a low-cost carbide saw band for basic applications. It is suitable for solid materials consisting of all steels and non-ferrous metals, but can also be used on machines without a carbide package. The good surface quality ensures that only a little reworking is necessary.

In comparison, Skalar Premium M42 ensures high performance and extra service life. The saw band can be used for all metals with a tensile strength up to 1000 N/mm² and, with its high cutting performance, is also suitable for continuous operation in large sawmills. The tooth cutting edge has a special coating which - combined with a rear band coating - reduces friction. The user benefits from low-vibrations, quiet running and therefore a long service life.

As part of the collaboration, a customised saw band was also developed, with special tooth pitch for a band-width of 67 mm for specific applications. The relevant variable for selecting the tooth pitch is the contact length of the band saw in the workpiece, and the material that is to be sawn.

In order to best assist the French metal cutting specialists in selecting the right cutting solutions for their specific requirements, WIKUS assisted during comprehensive on-site consultation and testing. This included training sessions introducing the new saw bands and familiarising the operators with the correct handling. This service ensures that the belts achieve optimum cutting results and offer long service lives, leading to significant cost savings.

Cutting costs were optimised on the one hand with the help of the products and technical support, as well as comprehensive advice from WIKUS. In addition, significant improvements were made thanks to the Para-Master online tool, which simplifies and accelerates analysis and optimisation of cutting processes for the customer. The programme allows the user to display various specific additional recommendations for WIKUS band saw blades quickly, simply and free of charge, including the recommended cutting parameters for the customer-specific application. By entering additional variables such as production cost-hourly rates and saw band service life, the user can also obtain particularly realistic cutting costs and can optimise them further by configuring the parameters.

More than 50% growth

"We have very demanding customers with high requirements in terms of time, cost, quality and tolerance," says Daniel Caprio, President of Cap Coupes Services. "WIKUS supports us in an efficient and effective manner. The company's diverse and powerful saw bands help us maintain high productivity and short delivery times. The very competent technical and personal support as well as the use of the pioneering ParaMaster software, with which we optimise our cutting parameters, were crucial for the success of our operation. In summary, WIKUS has been instrumental in helping our business grow by more than 50% over the last five to eight years."