BENDING AND FOLDING
Powerful and precise electro-kinetic bending with Biegemaster ’ s BendTron .
The sheet metal is cut with millimetre precision using the integrated shear on the Biegemaster XBend .
CNC folding machines have pre-aligned upper beam and lower beam tools , minimising tool set-up time and allowing the fabricator to change from part to part very quickly
for hemming applications . That acute angle is then positioned under the clamping tool foot to close the hem to a specific height . This height can be selected for parallel hems , teardrop hems or even open hems used in assembly .
When the part needs a large radius to be formed , the same tooling can be used on a folding beam to smoothly make incremental bends until the necessary radius is achieved . While not a one-size-fits-all solution , folders offer strong flexibility for a wide variety of needs .
“ CNC folding machines have pre-aligned upper beam and lower beam tools , minimising tool set-up time and allowing the fabricator to change from part to part very quickly . In today ’ s pressures on small batch sizes and large volume , this is one of the main advantages of folding ,” RAS told ISMR .
Another advantage is part handling . Larger parts can be manipulated on the gauging , eliminating the need for multiple operators and increasing part accuracies . Folding machines clamp and bend the part when it is laying flat on the gauging table and the flange is being bent , which helps accuracy , so that the operator does not need to ‘ manage ’ the part during the forming process .
Larger parts that require two operators typically can be manipulated by one operator on a folder because the bulk of the part is resting on the table and the operator can rotate it by themselves . The CNC control will prompt the operator on how to position the part . Precision tooling and CNC control technology will check for bending collisions and select bend sequences , shrinking the actual set-up time and providing more run time .
Folders and press brakes complement each other in sheet metal bending operations – they each have individual advantages and benefits in the press shop .
Folding innovations
In this article , we focus on some of the latest innovations in global folding technology .
German folding specialist , Biegemaster , designed the Biegemaster BendTron to be its first generation to be driven completely by electric motors . The BendTron enables users to bend all common profiles with a bending length ranging from 4 to 15 metres with material thicknesses of up to 1.5mm ( steel ). It is particularly suitable for demanding roof , wall and façade profiles . Precise positioning is possible with an electronic back gauge and flexible sheet metal grilles .
“ Shaft-controlled bending is assured through fully electro-kinetically driven bending joints for quiet and powerful operation . Inclined bending beams and optimised clamping beam geometry offer a high degree of flexibility and short counter-folds ,” added Biegemaster .
The Biegemaster Dura offers a wide range of applications for simple and quick bending of demanding roof , wall and façade profiles . It is optionally equipped with a hydraulic adjustable clamping beam for material thickness adjustment . There is an archive of all previously used projects on the machines and an intuitive control system via multi-touch display with a wide range of functions .
“ For double bends , the Biegemaster XBend bends material thicknesses of up to 2mm steel sheet metal automatically . Users benefit from high productivity and easy handling . Fully automatic bending is possible in two directions without turning the sheet around and an electronic back gauge ensures precise positioning . The clamping beam can be controlled with millimetre precision for perfect folds and automatic loading assistance is featured for the easy insertion of sheet metal ,” added the manufacturer .
The companies of The Bradbury Group have been manufacturing rollforming machinery since 1959 . The Group has also developed Long Folders™ , which feature the Intelli-Fold™ Controller , made by its partners at Beck Automation . The Intelli- Fold™ Controller features resident programs and a graphic display that allows operators to
Folders and press brakes complement each other in sheet metal bending operations – they each have individual advantages and benefits in the press shop
The Bradbury Trimfolder .
ISMR April 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 51