We offer a variety of tools for "T-Joint" notching, "Angular" and "Snug" fit units. These can be supplied as units or as with presses. The presses are available as hand, air or hydraulic options.
Other ancillary products available are - Arc-Fit "Right-Angle" Standard Units, Arc-Twin Standard and Tandem Units, Arc-Twin Hydraulic Self-Contained Machines, Econo Arc-Fit, Arc-Fit "Angular" Units, Arc-Snug "Angular" Units, Mitre-Snug Units, "P" Series Two Blade Cut-Off Dies, "LH" Series Single Blade Cut-Off Dies and "H" Series Hydraulic Cut-Off Machines.
Please contact us if you require any more information.
To notch with the Arc-Fit method you need a housing, assemblies for each size tube or pipe notching application and a press (hand or power).
The Arc-Fit method is a simple and dependable way to create notches in pipe or tubing, slots and many other types of end notches. The tooling consists of housings and interchangeable punch & die assemblies. Each different tube or pipe size or notch configuration requires a different assembly. Many different assemblies will fit the same housing, up to the maximum capacities. The final component is a press, to provide power. The Arc-Fit tooling can fit many ironworkers, punch presses, or even press brakes. We offer presses, either manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic, to power your Arc-Fit tooling.
The tube / pipe is slid, horizontally, over the tube rest, onto the punch. The punch fits the I.D. of your material. The punch holder functions as an end-stop.
The press pushes the punch downward, through the bottom wall of your material. The tube rest is also a cutting edge, supporting the underside of your material, preventing deformation. In most cases the material is rotated 180° and a second notch made. Simple scribe lines on the punch holder help line up the material for the second notch.
Arc-Fit tools are designed for many years of use. The punches and tube rests are designed to be sharpenable.
If you have higher volume notching requirements, our Arc-Twin tooling will notch each tube end in one press stroke.
The Arc-Twin notches both sides of pipe or tube ends for t-joints with only one stroke of the press. There is no deformation, minimal burr, and the tool creates a slug, not chips, so your part is ready for welding or brazing. Notching time per tube or pipe end is as fast as you can load your part and cyle your press. Tooling is designed to be sharpenable. An Arc-Twin can also be used for putting in slots, weep holes and other features than must be 180° opposed.
The Arc-Twin Tandem operates exactly like the Arc-Twin, but used an extra set of die inserts to cut notching time in half and double the output, as it notches two tube or pipe ends at one time. Both die inserts can be the same or different sizes. The Arc-Twin Tandem can also be used when you need to notch two different sizes frequently and want to avoid down-time for tooling changeover. Simply select the right or left side of the tool, based on what tooling you've installed, and you're ready to notch your part.
The Arc-Twin Hydraulic Self-Contained Machines are perfect when you wish to create a compact fabrication cell, or can devote your punch press to other higher-value work.
These machines have an approx. 3 - 4 second cycle time. Tooling is easily changeable without removing the die from your press.
#25 & #25A Econo Arc-Fit
The Econo Arc-Fit notcher is low cost, complete tool for thin-wall pipe, as typically used by the fence industry. The Econo Arc-Fit is ideal for lower-volume notching, such as hobby and prototype work or as an excellent starter tool for fence manufacturers.
For more versatility or when higher production of standard weight pipe is required, we recommend use of the heavy duty arc-fit method.
The Econo Arc-Fit comes complete, ready to use with 3 punches (see chart below). Shipped less handle (use 1" standard pipe). All cutting members are high quality steel for long life and may be replaced when worn.
The #25A Econo Arc-Fit is similar, but sized for rigid conduit. see chart below.
The Arc-Fit "Angular" tool produces a consistent accurate notch in pipe. Because this tool stamps out the notch, each tool is dedicated to a specific tube or pipe size at a specific angle. You can purchase multiple punch & die assemblies and swap them in our Arc-Fit angular housing to accomodate additional angles or material sizes.
Arc-Fit "Angular" units are designed to produce angular notches on pipe and heavy wall tubing. The notch is ideally suited to welding with a rod or heavy wire. The resulting "V" at all contact points allows for full weld penetration without having weld buildup which must be ground down later. Each Arc-Fit angular assembly consists of two punch and die assemblies requiring a total of three strokes to complete the operation.
The first station notches a deep notch with an elliptical end. One press stroke is needed in this station. The second stations nip the left and right side walls completing the operation. Two press strokes required in this station.
Each Arc-Fit assembly is made for one size pipe to fit one size pipe (advise if not the same size) at one angle only. By not fully inserting the pipe in the first station, it may be possible to "cheat" and create a slightly shallower angle (up to approx. 5°).
Arc-Fit "Angular" tooling is designed to be sharpenable for long life. Many customers order replacement parts first, then when received, send the old parts in for sharpening. This avoids any downtime and eliminates any expense for rush processing, overnight shipping, etc.
To notch tubes to fit another tube at a specific angle, for a snug gap-free fit up.
Specify notched tube O.D. & gauge, mating tube O.D. and angle of intersection. A drainhole may also be notched at the same time, if desired. You can purchase multiple punch & die assemblies and swap them in our Arc-Snug housings to accomodate additional angles or material sizes.
Arc-Snug "Angular" units are designed to produce a "snug" fitting angle or 90° joint on medium and thin walled tubing.
The resulting gap-free notch is suitable for silver soldering, brazing or mig welding (if stick welding heavy walls, the weld may have to be ground down for appearance purposes. If so, the arc-fit angular units are recommended).
Each Arc-Snug assembly consists of a two station punch and die assembly that requires two strokes to complete the operation (note: if two parts are inserted, one part can be produced in each press stroke).
The first notch is identical to the arc fit angular unit producing a deep notch with an elliptical end. In the second station the tube is rotated upside down, so the first station notch is on the top of the tube. The tube is put in at the required angle of intersection (for example, the unit pictures at left is designed for a 45° notch). The second station punch gauges on the first notch and carves a radius through the side wall and out the bottom.
Arc-Snug tooling is designed to be sharpenable for long life. Many customers order replacement parts first, then when received, send the old parts in for sharpening. This avoids any downtime and eliminates any expense for rush processing, overnight shipping, etc.
For mitering round, square, oval or rectangular tubing to at one specific angle.
Specify notched tube O.D. & gauge, and angle of miter. A drainhole may also be notched at the same time, if desired.
Mitre-Snug units produce clean accurate mitred joints that do not require the deburring that is associated with saw or abrasive cutting.
Mitre-Snug's use the same housings as the Arc-Snug's and are practically identical in operation.
The first stroke removes the deep part of the notch. The part is then rotated upside down and put into the second station at the correct angle (to the vertical). The punch gauges on the first notch and shears the walls on the sides and bottom. If two parts are loaded at one time a complete end is produced in each press stroke.
Mitre-Snug tooling is designed to be sharpenable for long life. Many customers order replacement parts first, then when received, send the old parts in for sharpening. This avoids any downtime and eliminates any expense for rush processing, overnight shipping, etc.
For use in your own punch press
For dimple-free cutting of tubing, these dies are designed for use in your punch press. This two-blade method produces cuts on round tubing with no deformation and minimal burr. A slug, (not chips), is produced, from .06" to .125 " thick depending on the blades used.
Since no chips are produced, and burr is typically 10% of the tube's wall thickness or less, most parts can be cut and are ready for the next operation such as expanding or mandrel bending without deburring or chip removal, drastically slashing handling and final piece part costs.
Die blocks move with cams to completely encircle the tube and prevent O.D. bulging during cut off, as well as providing a sharp cutting edge for the blades to cut against. A horizontal blade is cammed tangentially across the top of the tube to remove enough wall material for the vertical shear blade to enter and complete the cut without deforming the tube.
This method is best used with mild steel tubing, but can be used on other materials, such as aluminum, stainless, half-hard copper, etc.
Square tubing is cut with the horizontal blade mechanism removed, with the tube in the corner-over-corner orientation, also resulting in a dimple-free cut. Die blocks are interchangeable to accept a wide range of shapes and sizes up to maximum capacity of the die. Die blocks and blades can be changed without removing the cut off die from your press and all cutting members are designed to be sharpenable.
All dies are shipped with a (not shown) drip-feed lubrication system and a 24" long end-stop and micro-switch stop assembly which signals your press to cycle.
These single blade cutoff dies are designed for dimple-free cuts on square and rectangular tubing (or dimpled cuts on rounds).
The LHP may be upgraded at a later date with the horizontal blade mechanism to have full capacity for dimple-free cutting on round tubing.
Die blocks and blades can be changed without removing the cut off die from your press and all cutting members are designed to be sharpenable.
The LHC is dedicated for square or rectangular tubing and is not upgradable.
The "H" Series Cut-Off Machines use the same two-blade technology as our cut off dies. These machines eliminate the need to use a punch press, and can be easily relocated as shop configurations and production requirements change. The machines also feature sharpenable blades and die inserts.
All manual feed machines include a 24" adjustable micro-switch stop assembly which automatically cycles the press. The operator simply pushes material through the machine to quickly and efficiently cut tubing. On a 12" part, a length accuracy of +/- .005" is possible.