Eagle Designs and Delivers an Automated Heat Exchanger Manufacturing Solution. BRANTFORD, ONTARIO - 15th February 2008 - Eagle Precision Technologies Limited, a worldwide leader in tube bending and forming solutions has designed, manufactured and delivered a unique machine for the automated assembly of heat exchangers. As a result of a customer request, Eagle was challenged to design and manufacture a machine for the assembly heat exchangers in a more cost effective process to offset the higher cost of the technology used to meet new efficiency standards. The main component of your home heating furnace, both forced air and hot water, is the heat exchanger. This component takes the heat produced by burning fuel and transfers it to the water or air for distribution throughout the house. The HX (Heat Exchanger) tubes must be assembled to the HX panel ensuring an airtight lock so that internal combustible gas does not escape into the ventilation chamber of the furnace. This lock must also be verified to a predetermined "leak rate" that adheres to federal industry standards. The most common method for fastening the two components is the "ridge lock". This process involves introducing a set of segmented expand tooling into the tube and expanding a bead around both sides of the panel flange. The result is an interference lock between the HX tube and the HX panel. Eagle has been supplying this proven technology to the industry for over 20 years to many satisfied customers. The problem has always been the slower cycle times required to complete the larger, multiple tube panels. Also, inspection of the completed assembly required a second operation. To answer the industries call for innovation, Eagle has developed a new line of fully automated heat exchanger assembly machines for the HVAC industry. This new product line offers the latest in automation technology that allows our customers to have the versatility and quality they have come to expect from all Eagle products. With this new platform the HX panel is scanned and loaded into the assembly station. The correct part program is automatically selected and with the touch of button, the sequence is initiated. When the next configuration is scanned the new parameter is automatically set allowing for zero changeover time. After the components are locked in place, the entire assembly is leak tested before being ejected for transport to the final furnace assembly station. This new turn key solution offers customers decreased floor to floor cycle times, fully programmable indexing for multiple part configurations and fully integrated leak test capabilities for assured real time quality assurance of components. Eagle's HVAC assembly solution includes heat exchanger lines capable of assembling 80% through 90%+ dual stage efficiency furnace components. Based on customer estimates, this new automated solution is 48% faster than the previous manufacturing process providing significant production savings. Eagle Precision Technologies is a leading manufacturer of CNC tube and pipe benders, tube and pipe end-finishing equipment, muffler manufacturing equipment and tooling. The company is a global supplier with a history of over 45 years of machine building experience and an installed base of more than 8,000 pieces of equipment in more than 60 countries. More information is available from www.eaglept.com.

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