Hydrafeed secures sole UK distribution for range of barfeeds from Italy

Top Automazioni supplied more than 700 barfeeds into the Italian market last year and has agents throughout Europe. Hydrafeed will be selling and supporting the company’s long magazine barfeed systems – X-Files-s, Fusion and Beta for fixed head turning centres and the Infinity model designed for sliding head variants.

The X-Files-s models cover bars from 10mm to 100mm diameter with no need for any additional guide channel sets or push rods – claimed by Hydrafeed to be a true USP for these barfeeds. The same applies to Top Automazioni’s Infinity and Fusion models with the latter able to handle bar capacities from 6-52mm diameter.

“All bar diameter adjustments are conducted automatically via the HMI screen which means customers can have the barfeed set from one bar to another within 90 seconds,” explains Hydrafeed’s managing director, Martyn Page. “No other barfeed has this capability as they all need the customer to purchase a range of guide channel sets to cater for different bar diameters.”

He continues: “The build quality of these units is so good that it allows bars to be run at a higher rpm than any other barfeed of this type – the standard 3m X-Files-s for example weighs in at an impressive 2,500kg. Higher speeds mean quicker cycle times.”

X-Files-s and Fusion models are available in either 2.1, 3.2, 4.1 or 6.1m models as standard. Bar loading/storage can be offered in four different options: single level; multi-level featuring three different levels storing 300mm depth of bar on each level; fork lift options where the bars are simply loaded direct from the fork truck onto the bar feed floor loader; and finally a bundle loader where again bars are loaded by the fork truck onto a belt feeding bundle loader direct into the barfeed

The Infinity sliding head type barfeed has all the features of the X-Files-s and Fusion models above and is available in the same bar length capacities. Maximum bar range is 3mm to 35mm

“Lead-times are four weeks from order on any standard model and the entire range will be supported by Hydrafeed engineers who have received extensive training from Top Automazioni,” Mr Page advises.

“For those customers that require a barfeed to run in the conventional manner – with additional guide channel sets – then the recommended model is the Beta which is available to suit 6-52 bar diameters. It is very competitively priced and features the excellent build quality of all the other models.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer the Top Automazioni range of barfeeds to our customers,” Mr Page concludes. “We’ll have an X-Files-s model for demonstration purposes in our Milton Keynes factory and we’ve already received firm orders for a number of units.”

“The range will provide the UK with a whole new innovative barfeeding system which will drastically reduce downtime, increase automation and machine spindle up-time.

“And from our perspective, it bridges a vital gap in our portfolio – we can now offer standard and full length magazine barfeeds up to 6m length and 100mm diameter.”

Hydrafeed www.hydrafeed.co.uk