The KASTOwin range consists of five fully-automated bandsaws that cover maximum cutting capacities from 330 to 1,060 mm. They are suitable for a wide range of applications in stockholding and manufacturing, from machine and tool production to the automotive, aerospace and engineering sectors. The machines are universally suitable for cutting many types of steel, making the KASTOwin range a flexible solution for numerous applications.

The various sizes are all similarly constructed, while the components used are largely identical. This means that KASTO can offer the new saws at considerably lower prices than comparable products.

Hilmar Gehrmann, product manager for KASTOwin, explains, "Our aim was to develop an all-round solution which could fulfil the majority of our customers' usual requirements.

“Many companies do not want expensive, custom products and instead prefer economical, standard solutions.”

Armin Stolzer, KASTO’s managing director, added, "The high proportion of common parts within the range reduces the costs for material procurement, manufacturing and assembly in modern assembly lines.

“We pass this economic advantage of KASTOwin – Made in Germany – on to our customers.”

Quality remains a central issue. All KASTOwin bandsaws feature a frequency-controlled drive that enables cutting speeds of 12 to 150 metres per minute. For all machine sizes, the saw band is hydraulically tightened and looped around hydraulic band guides, which now have interchangeable carbide inserts. KASTO engineers place particular emphasis on trimming both the hydraulic power unit and the drives for high energy efficiency. Each KASTOwin saw is available with a choice of two different band widths.

Ballscrew drives replace hydraulics to ensure tight control over cutting and material feed movements. KASTOrespond is a new system that senses saw frame movement via the ballscrew. The forces on the band are fed back to control the downfeed via a newly-developed software program, enabling a constant chip load to be maintained throughout the cut, irrespective of material cross section.

To reduce idle times, a highly innovative feature eliminates the need for a 5 mm stand-off from the material surface, which can waste a lot of time when the saw is programmed to cut tough materials at slower rates. Instead, the saw blade descends straight into the material and stops within microseconds to continue the cut at the programmed infeed rate, without damaging the teeth.

A screw conveyor ensures safe, clean removal of chips. The retractable material clamping vices have been redesigned to guarantee reliable cutting in automatic operation. The offcut length is just 35 mm, while the shortest possible cut length is 10 mm.

For simple, intuitive operation, KASTOwin saws are equipped with the innovative touch-screen SmartControl unit, which monitors and controls all relevant order requirements and sawing parameters using an in-built material library. The machine is fully enclosed in line with currently applicable safety requirements. Nevertheless, the operator benefits from easy access for set-up, single-cut operation and inspection.

KASTO offers an extensive range of accessories for its machines. They include various chip conveyors, hydraulic layer clamping equipment, a laser for cutting line projection and automatic zero measurement. For specific requirements, KASTO supplies saws with a performance package featuring a double chip removal brush and greater drive power.