At The Cutting Edge

Hawkes introduce next-generation screen mat and media design and cutting system

Fast and simple screen mat design and reliable and accurate cutting was a desire of many screen media producers until seven years ago. Having listened to customer needs, Northamptonshire-based Hawkes Technical, who have designed and supplied cutting press systems for more than 36 years, focused their attention on designing a dedicated screen media design and cutting system to meet these needs.

In the past, screen media suppliers traditionally used various types of presses and adapted CAD systems. The time taken to design mats/screens with a CAD system was anywhere from 3h to 10h per screen.

Hawkes Technical’s task was to develop screen media design software which was in complete harmony with a newly designed cutting press system. The first generation of the new Hawkes design and cutting technology was delivered to a customer’s site seven years ago and proved a big success. Many additional installations have followed.

Screen mat and screen media design software

The design of a rubber screen mat now takes an average of 5min, and it is possible to design a screen and be cutting that same screen in less than 15min. This can provide customers with a very fast turnaround in an emergency, and can gain orders on delivery alone.

The Hawkes screen mat and screen media design software allows the use of designs including, but no limited to: standard layouts, staggered layouts, a mixture of standard and staggered layouts on the same screen, staggered layouts in X & Y, layouts to maximize grading while retaining maximum strength and automatic allowances for screen tension. There is also the ability to leave areas/fields un-punched anywhere on the screen.

The software automatically advises the best tool/pipe selection, ie single or multi-tool. It also advises the spacing required when using multi-tools.

Screen designs can incorporate circles, rectangles, squares or slots. A unique nibble function is also available. The cutting machine is supplied with design software incorporated, allowing the operator to make any last-minute changes or to design a screen on the machine itself, if necessary.

In addition to the design software on the machine, a stand-alone software package is supplied for use in the office to program the machine or to design screens for costing/quotation purposes. The facility for producing costings/quotes allows even semi-skilled operators to prepare quotations in minutes.

The design software can also be carried by sales engineers when visiting customers. If required, a design and quotation can be made in the field and given directly to the customer or, alternatively, transmitted back to the office for costing.

Screen mat and screen media cutting machine

The Hawkes cutting machine and design software is a well tried and tested system and can be operated 24h a day if necessary. The cutting machine incorporates the following features:

• unique tool-holding system for fast tool changes
• single and multi-tool capability
• heavy-duty pneumatic material-clamping system
• waste-part removal
• standard system cuts material from 2mm to 80mm in thickness (thicker on request)
• flexible material positioning system
• easily programmable
• ability to cut multiple small-size mats – moving automatically from one mat to another without manual intervention. The machine can be set up and left running at the end of a shift and will switch off automatically when the program is finished.

The system can also be extended to include other features that future customers may require.

For further information visit: www.screenmatcutting.com