metal frame assy.......

gearold

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brownwood tx
Just thought I would pick all you framers minds... I 've been asked by several companys to design a metal frame assembly machine. Im thinking a angled table about 24 x 48. with pnumatic cylinders that will clamp the frame on all 4 corners very tight to get the proper fit then all they have to do is tighten the screws, should speed up the assembly of the frame by 3-5 times. What do you guys (& gals) think is this a product that has a wide appeal in the framing industry ? I would really like your opinions & input ,prototyping & design is costly ,I dont really know if it is a viable product for framers. What do you think????????????????????

Gearold
 
Interesting idea gearold. Don't think putting a metal frame together is all that challenging, that we need a special assembly machine...but who knows? My one suggestion should u decide to continue thinking about making a prototype: make sure you use a surface that will not scratch the frame legs. Personally, I'd rather see someone put time and energy into making a paint that could easily be mixed to touch up scratches on the metal frames.
 
Gearold, my impression is that shops who are doing production runs of metal frames are often using the back-load frames with the crimped corners.

The Nielsen-type frames are not challenging to assemble if the corners are cut properly. I have a vague memory (from my careless youth) of using bar clamps to hold a metal frame snuggly while I tightened the corner screws, but I suspect that at least part of the frame package was too big for the frame.

The whole thing probably exploded on the wall.
 
I am in agreement that there would be very limited application to this machine.

My suggestion is that the frame face up to avoid any surface damage and to be more flexable for asst. frame profile designs. A rotating table to center the corners over positioned drivers might work best. This way there would only be 1 or 2 dual driver positions to to the 4 corners. The 24" size might also be a little small. The 48" side might be OK.
 
There is also a space concern. Unless it is designed for large run manufacturing the mid to small shop probably would be better off having someone spend the 2 minutes assembling a frame by hand.
Shop space is usually at a premium based on my shop and a bunch of shops I worked at. Also framers are generally cheap! Where would your pricepoint hit.
I think a better machine would be one that makes solicitors disapear when they open your door and get replaced by a customer.
 
I don't see a practical use for a machine like this in the average frame shop. For large quantity assemblies, maybe. But the logistics of adjustment to fit different frame sizes, maintaining consistent accuracy on the corners during assembly, and maintaining calibration of the assembly equipment could pose a problem. Aluminum doesn't have much "tooth" against itself as wood miters do and I can see a possibility of misalignment problems and consistency of tight even corners with the aluminum.

There is another thing to consider: when building an aluminum frame, if you are going to load the frame with art/mats/glass, you usually don't completely assemble the entire frame. I assemble 3 legs tightly and align the 4th side to install the hardware to the 4th leg only, then slip the 4th leg out of the frame to load the frame package. Then the last leg is tightly assembled. there would have to be some allowance made to get the frame package into the frame before finishing the last side of the frame.

I would think that some kind of simple clamping system for one corner (at a time) would function better along with a pneumatic screw driver to set the screws.

It isn't a complicated procedure to assemble a metal frame, I acquired the knowledge of assembling metal frames when I was 5 yrs. old playing with my Erector set! Of all the movements required to build a metal frame, the alignment of the corner would be the most critical part in my opinion. A non-slip clamp should take care of that portion easily.

Framerguy
 
Thanks for the input. i didnt think there was a huge deal for this. But i have 3 or 4 companys that are putting together 500-1500 metal frames & have several people doing that. For the table surface it would be a non scratch surface & the leg adjustments move in a second. May just build the 8 or 10 they need and let it go at that...
Thanks G's
 
Janet, I agree with you. A mixable paint for touchups is a great idea.
 
I don't remember if it was from Nielsen or Clark, but there was a set of touch up colors available years ago for the enamel finishes from one of them.

No matter how carefully you applied it, it looked like crap and I'd be real surprised if they're still around.
 
Clark. Have THEE last bottle left. I'm putting it on E-bay next week. I figure it's time to retire.... :D

gearold, a small walled corner with a clean 90 speeds up slamming those things together as does pnumatic screw guns. (the straight line with a grip lever, hanging on spring. pull down, zip zip and let go.)
 
FrameTek offered a metal frame joing machine some years ago. Used our Fastware® corners. Couldn't GIVE the darn things away! It works great - joins an 8x10 in about 18 seconds with the push of a switch. Works with most any style moulding with a top size limit of around 30 x 40. Makes tight corners both front and back.
 
Once again, I seem to be in the minority here. What a surprise! ;)

Sounds like a great idea. Assembling metal frames is quite easy - to assemble one or 10 or a few dozen is certainly no big deal. But anyone who has spent endless hours assembling hundreds of metal frames at a time will immediately recognize the need.

The problem eluded to is that few find themselves in that position. Most low end production houses using metal frames will use the backloading variety for cost purposes. And few, if any, custom framers would find a use for your beastie.

Having said that, I would think that there probably is a market out there, albeit limited. (One would assume that when the first CMC's were brought out, there was probably not a roar heard 'round the world as each custom framer clamoured to purchase one.) The problem would be finding the market. I, for one, would love to see one of these babies available at the next trade show. But, as I mentioned earlier, I am usually in the minority around here!
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Best of luck, Gearold!
 
The shop I acquired has one of those corner joining machines that Greg Fremsted talks about. It uses a nylon(or plastic) type corner. IT IS THE GREATEST!!!! If I didn't have one, I sure would buy one. Frames go together extra fast. You assemble them face-up so you can see how it's going together. I love how I DON'T have to use the metal corners that get my fingers all rough and scratched. I would give up my CMC before I'd let that corner machine go.....of course I won't give up my CMC!! :rolleyes:
 
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