Vulcan Engineering incorporates the latest in advanced safety features while still offering reliable efficient equipment.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off machine is ideal for gate and riser removal on small to medium size castings, or castings on runner bars or trees. It is well suited for processing castings that are too heavy for operators to handle, as the air float feature makes moving large weights almost effortless. Compressed air is used to “lift” the gondola to allow the operator to “float” it around the table, and use the laser guide to align the casting into the proper cutting position. Once in position, a vacuum is used to securely hold it in place during cutting. The saw uses hydraulic down pressure for fast efficient removal of risers and gating.

The saw shown is designed to be installed in its own room; other models are available with full enclosures for installation around other workers Fox® grinding and cutting equipment has proven reliability, and is designed to work effectively in rugged, dirty foundry environments. Precise cutting and efficient processing is only part of the design, to truly enhance this system Vulcan has added several advanced safety features.

• Rotary Wheel Guard: This machine incorporates a rotating wheel guard. This allows the operator to move, re-align, and change castings safely without having to turn off the motor each time. The wheel guard technology includes sensors that are connected to a safety circuit. When pulling the handle down to start cutting the guard opens, allowing the operator to perform a cut.
• Operator Safety Door: The operator safety door has a Lexan window with an easily replaceable Plexiglas splatter shield. This allows the operator to be protected from debris while still being able to see the material being cut. The safety door is interlocked with the safety circuit allowing the saw to only be operated when it is closed.
• Operator Console with Safety Lockout Key: When the operator has to change the cutting wheel, the system must be shut down. To ensure all operations are powered off or de-energized, a safety key is incorporated into both the console and the outer wheel guard. The safety key must be inserted into the dead bolt lock on the wheel guard to allow the guard to be opened to change the wheel. Once the wheel is changed and the guard properly closed, the key can be removed and inserted into the control console allowing the saw to operate again.
• E-Stop Functionality: There are 3 different E-Stop switches that can be utilized in this system. There are two push-button stops, one on the operator console and the other located on the electrical panel. The third option is an emergency kick switch tied to the E-Stop system for quick, hands free use.

All of the above features, as well as incorporating redundant safety shutoff valves with monitoring, make this one of the safest cut-offs on the market.

A Cut-Off System centered around Ease of Use, Safety, and Precision

Fox® grinders and cut-off equipment have proven reliability, and offer the most productive casting finishing equipment available for the rugged, dirty foundry environment. Designed for maximum up time with the highest quality components, Fox® equipment has innovative designs that are assembled and arranged for easy service.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off with Horizontal Traveling Axis is a specially designed cut-off system that provides control of the saw from an Operators Control Station located outside of the machine enclosure for added safety.

This model provides vertical and horizontal saw travel, allowing the operator to move the saw up & down, forward & backward, all powered by hydraulics. The Cut-Off saw incorporates a hydraulic down-pressure system to efficiently cut risers and/or gates from a variety of castings. Hydraulic down force provides for quicker, cooler cuts with less blade wear.

The Fox® Air Float Cut-Off machine is ideal for gate, runner and riser removal on small to medium size castings, or removing castings from trees. The Air Float System incorporates a casting gondola, Blanchard ground table, and pneumatic/vacuum system that allow the operator to effortlessly “float” the work into cutting position. With quick and easy fixture change over, the Air Float system excels at cutting castings produced in small to medium runs.

Along with fast positioning of parts, the Air Float System incorporates a vacuum hold-down feature on the casting gondola. A foot operated electric control pedal activates floatation, keeping hands free for gondola movement. Once the foot pedal is released, the vacuum system secures the gondola to the table during cutting. An alignment laser is used to provide quick, precise alignment of the cut path. The gondola can be repositioned after each cut or left in position with the vacuum system holding it in place for processing higher quantities of the same part number.

Safety features of the Fox® Air Float Cut-Off with Horizontal Traveling Axis include machine enclosure, rotating wheel guard, and touch sensors to name a few. The front door of the enclosure is supported on overhead rails, and is manually slid open and shut. This Lexan door, with an easily replaceable Plexiglas splatter shield, incorporates a proximity switch so that the door must be fully closed before the operator can control the Cut-Off Wheel. There are touch sensors located on either side of the door’s rails. To activate the optional fixture Clamping System, the operator must place both hands on these sensors which help to ensure hands and arms are out of the way.

The rotating wheel guard covers the wheel at all times, except when the operator is standing on the safety mat at the Operator’s Control Station. Once the operator stands on the safety mat, this activates the wheel cover to open. Anytime the operator steps off of the mat, the wheel cover will automatically rotate closed. This feature allows the operator to move, realign, or change parts inside the enclosure without stopping the saw.