PRODUCT REVIEWS
Punching and bending
RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH and Pivatic Oy have announced a strategic partnership . RAS bending centres and Pivatic punching systems have been established in the sheet metal machine tool market for decades . Under the new cooperative model , the two companies will pool their expertise in punching and bending , and offering lines to customers , as a new joint solution .
The new strategic partnership aims to offer customers the best of both companies as well as to strengthen the manufacturers ’ competitive position in sheet metal machinetool markets . For Pivatic , the co-operation with RAS brings wider product offerings and greater flexibility in bending solutions , especially for small and medium size volumes in sheet metal manufacturing .
“ With the Pivatic-RAS solution , two sheetmetal processing technologies are integrated into one single production line : coil feeding or sheet punching by Pivatic and bending by RAS . The material moves just once through the Pivatic punching line and the result is a punched part that is produced faster than most traditional solutions ,” said Pivatic .
“ The control system software handles data communication to machines in the production line , sends information to an ERP system and creates statistical data ( Industry 4.0 ). Programming of the punching and bending processes is based on 3D and 2D CAD drawings and can also be done automatically ,” explained the companies .
“ This direct link between main processes reduces logistical effort and improves material flow , which has an economic impact ( especially for large components in small quantities ). A finished bent product can be created after one pass and no stock of semi-finished products accumulates between punching and bending . The automated processes reduce human intervention and possible errors or damage during handling ,” they added .
The largely synchronised processes during punching and bending are designed to increase throughput and efficiency which , said Pivatic , ultimately leads to lower part costs . Around 120 punching tools are accessible during punching , drastically reducing tool change times and eliminating scrap skeleton handling .
MARCH 2021
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR : Jon Fellows EDITOR : Sara Waddington
GLOBAL COMMERCIAL MANAGER : Bobby Bagha
DESIGN : Wroxy Meredith
“ This punching speed , in combination with the bending speed and flexibility of the RAS bending centres , adds up to an automated flexible production solution that is characterised by low cycle times , high productivity , fewer logistics and handling costs , greater design freedom in part construction and low costs per part ,” it added .
The integrated line , say the companies , is very compact and does not requires much floor space . The modular line is suitable for large production batches , as well as for small and medium quantities .
The punching process can start from sheet or coil . Pivatic punching machines can process coils from a width of 60mm up to 1825mm and sheet from 200mm up to 1825mm . Pivatic additional cut-to-length ( CTL ) and cut-to-length ( CTW ) integrated shears deliver long cuts for the bending process . The RAS bending module can feature one of the three bending centres , with maximum working lengths of 2160mm , 2560mm and 3060mm . After bending , the finished panels can be sent on to subsequent lines for automatic welding or stacking .
66 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2021
In the RAS bending centre , the punched blanks are automatically turned if necessary and then loaded , aligned , positioned , bent and unloaded . Automatic tool set-up and ‘ up and down ’ bending ( without turning the part ) are a feature of this system . The automatic bending sequences are designed for precision and repeatability , so that parts are ready for subsequent laser welding .
“ Bending with no damage to the surface of the material and with no tool wear are outstanding features of this bending centre , especially for stainless steel applications ,” RAS told ISMR .
Pivatic , based in Finland , was founded in 1975 and is part of the Ursviken Group . It has delivered over 450 automatic punching sheet metal processing systems . RAS has over 80 years of experience in sheet metal processing . n
International Sheet Metal Review is published 10 times per year by IN2 Publishing Ltd , on behalf of Mack Brooks Publishing Ltd .
IN2 PUBLISHING LTD
P . O . BOX 7492 , KIDDERMINSTER WORCESTERSHIRE , DY11 9HB , UK
IN2 Publishing
ISSN 1471-6542
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication , Mack Brooks Publishing , In2Publishing Ltd and the editor cannot accept liability for any statement or error contained herein . © ISMR 2021
ISMR would like to thank ThyssenKrupp for the cover image .