FOCUS ON FOLDING
Bradbury folders come with free firmware downloads from Beck Automation and controllers with optional office-to-folder download capability . Standard models are designed to handle 30-gauge to 11-gauge metal and are available in five lengths – 13 ’, 21 ’, 26 ’, 33 ’ and 40 ’.
“ Programming and machine operation are easily learned . Repeat accuracy is +/ - 1 / 2 degree . Machine design allows open hem , closed hem and teardrop hems . Two-stage hydraulics combine fast cycling with soft starts and stops for reduced wear and tear on folder and operator . Two-position back gauges minimize travel time . An optional stop can be used to create tapered sections . Beammounted slitter and form tooling options further enhance productivity . Wherever possible , we have incorporated readily available standard components to simplify service and reduce downtime ,” said the company .
In June 2023 , Bradbury announced a new partnership with Biegemaster , serving as the North American distributor for the double-bend XBend folder .
The globally active Swedish CIDAN Machinery Group offers different types of metal bending machines and sheet metal folders with benefits such as folding complex profiles , heavy material and bending both up and down . Its robust PRO Z is a an updown metal folding machine for industrial applications . This folder is suitable for folding complex profiles and heavy material ( 3200- 4100mm lengths ).
“ Folding both up and down , this machine eliminates the need for an operator to flip their material , providing time-efficient folding of complex parts for just one operator . With auto-locking , integrated tool storage and a new tool layout in the updated ProLink W , tool changes can now be made even faster . Our proven folding beam construction along with automatic crowning and setting of bending centre as well as sheet thickness provides
The CIDAN MEGAPRO folder .
CIDAN ’ s PRO Z folder .
Erbend folder integrated with handling robot .
superior folding quality in all thicknesses . The folder is also equipped with our eccentric OED , which provides the same high clamping pressure and capacity regardless of the selected tool height while maintaining maximum opening height ,” CIDAN explained .
Other folders in its range include the FORMA Z and the CIDAN MEGAPRO folder ( with intelligent functions such as automatic adjustment of the folding centre , sheet thickness and crowning as well as an automatic tool locking-system ). With its dual servo-driven motors for both clamping and folding beams , it produces 60 tons of clamping pressure .
CIDAN folders also include the CIDAN PRO and the CIDAN FORMA ( with different back guage configurations and the movable foot switch , the FORMA machine enables one operator to run 2.5mm mild steel parts of up to 4100mm in length ). The CIDAN FX PLUS folder is equipped with automatic bend centre and sheet thickness adjustment , while the CIDAN FX Combi series metal is a folding and bending machine in one . Other folders include the FS , FS Plus , F Series ( with 150mm opening height ) and the CIDAN MFB manual machine .
The company produces and markets the brands CIDAN , FORSTNER , THALMANN , nuIT and GÖTENEDS worldwide . Swiss folding specialist , THALMANN , is now part of the CIDAN Group . In November 2023 , CIDAN announced that its Thalmann TD double folder series is now equipped with a TD multi-head
DUAL MFA 3230 CNC Servo Up-Down folder .
side loader for faster and more versatile loading , as well as increased loading capacity . It also now boasts a Fast Loader function and vacuum gripper . For enhanced safety , three strategically placed scanners cover the entire floor area ( frontside , left and right sides ), and an additional top-mounted scanner halts the machine when someone enters the safety area from the front .
“ The TC double folder offers the VFD Design principle ; offset folding beam geometry ; fully automatic gripper system ; DFT drive and multizone folding beam crowning . The TZ long folder offers the VFD design principle ; control shaft technology ; newly designed clamping and offset beams ; dynamic crowning system and the new longitudinal slitter ,” added CIDAN .
Erbend Makine , which manufactures different types and models of manual and CNC sheet metal folders , as well as shears , is based in Bursa ( Turkey ).
At Blechexpo last November in Germany , it showcased its DUAL MFA 3230 CNC Servo Up-Down sheet metal folder , with pneumatic quick tool clamping system for rapid tool setup . It also features a back gauge table with suction cups .
Other combination models include the MFD CNC motorised combi sheet metal folder ( for materials of 0.3-3mm thickness and 2550- 4200mm lengths ) and the MFA CNC servo combi sheet metal folder ( 0.3 -4mm thickness and 2050-4200mm lengths ). It also offers a range of single-station sheet metal folders and the UFA manual metal folder .
GMC Machine Tools ’ electromechanical sheet metal folders have been designed to bend light-duty sheet metal . They are equipped with an Italian ESA 6-axis CNC controller and an 11 ” touch screen monitor . Most of its product line is manufactured in Taiwan . Other machines are designed in the U . S . and manufactured in Italy and China .
“ Our sheet metal folders are specifically
62 | ismr . net | ISMR April 2024