FOCUS ON BENDING
PRODUCTIVE PROCESSES
We highlight a selection of the latest new press brake bending systems , tooling and technology innovations in the global market .
“ Precision ; energy efficiency ; automation ; safety ; Industry 4.0 networking capabilities ; reduced set-up times and ease of operation are key elements in today ’ s press brake designs .”
Sheet metal can be bent by a range of systems including panel benders , folders and press brakes . The press brake controls the movement of either the punch ( upper tool ) or the die ( bottom tool ) and provides the press force using hydraulic rams or electrical servo motors . The press brake ’ s bending force , known as tonnage , determines how much pressure can be applied by the punch during a bend . Higher tonnage allows for bending thicker and harder metals , and lower tonnage is most appropriate for thinner metals .
There are several types of press brake ( such as pneumatic , servo electric , hydraulic and mechanical ). The workpiece is clamped between matching punch and die to form a pre-set bend . The characterisation of capacity of a press brake machine is based on parameters such as working length ; working height ; amplitude ; stroke ; tonnage and distance between side housings or frame uprights .
Market analyst Technavio estimates that the global press brake market size will grow up to US $ 413.87 million , at a CAGR of 4.96 % during 2021-2025 . It expects 39 % of market growth to originate from the APAC region during the forecast period . The global electric press brake market was valued at US $ 343.8
million in 2020 and is projected to register a CAGR of 3.9 % by 2031 , according to analyst MarketResearch . biz .
New bending innovations
Precision , energy efficiency , automation , safety , Industry 4.0 networking and ease of operation are key elements in today ’ s press brake designs . In this article , we highlight a selection of the latest new press brake systems , tooling and technology developments in the global market .
The Adira Bluebender ( BB ) electric press brake .
ADIRA Metal Forming Solutions SA is headquartered in Portugal and offers hydraulic and servo-electric press brakes such as PA / PA Plus ; PF Fast ; PH Heavy Duty ; PE Press- Fast ( hybrid electric-hydraulic ); GreenBender ; Bluebender ( BB ) and PA Hexa C ( hydraulic press brake ). It specialises in the production of hydraulic , electric and hybrid press brakes , shears and robotised cells and conducts intensive research and development into large-scale additive manufacturing .
The patented Hexa-C frame of the PA hydraulic press brake guides the movable upper beam during the entire stroke , to ensure maximum precision independently of the sheet position ( centre , left , right ). The manufacturer also offers a new generation of Green dynamics technology ( based on the Hoerbiger hybrid ePrAX ® control ) and a new generation of Bluedrive systems and the electric press brake ( BB005020 ) with automatic tool changer ( ATC ) to reduce set-up time and maximise machine productivity .
At Blechexpo 2021 in Stuttgart , Japanese manufacturer AMADA presented its enhanced EG-6013AR bending cell . The robot is equipped with five automatic grippers and tool changer for fully automated production processes . This now makes it possible to process parts with sheet thicknesses of up to 4mm . The additional
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