FOCUS ON BENDING batches are becoming more prevalent , and manufacturers need to be able to switch from big to small runs with maximum flexibility and without sacrificing productivity .
Finally , faster delivery time leveraging high production speeds is essential to succeed in today ’ s market . As a result , companies that can deliver their products faster have a strong competitive advantage in the industry .
The sheet metal bending sector is expected to continue growing , also driven by ongoing global trends . Urbanisation is driving growth in the building and construction sectors ; global warming is increasing the demand for heating , ventilation and air conditioning ( HVAC ) systems while the need for energy self-sufficiency is fuelling the market for solar panels and batteries . The growing population is affecting agricultural production and , consequently , the market for yellow goods . Lastly , transportation services are evolving to address mobility challenges that cannot be tackled by private vehicles .
To maintain their competitive edge , manufacturers must adapt to evolving market needs while also embracing automation , robotics and the latest digital technologies . Which innovations are crucial today for manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve ?
Rising challenges
As it continues to expand , the sheet metal bending industry is facing various challenges such as the shortage of skilled labour , the integration and automation of production processes and the pursuit of sustainable solutions .
The shortage of skilled labour is a huge challenge facing the market . Cutting-edge automated and digitised solutions are needed to relieve operators from low value-added operations , as well as speed up and simplify activities requiring more specialisation and reduce the operator ’ s learning curve .
To improve efficiency and reduce lead times , manufacturers are progressively integrating
bending machines with other production processes such as punching ; shearing ; laser cutting ; welding etc . For this , it is crucial for companies to be able to rely on a single partner who can offer and integrate different types of technologies . The use of bending
Prima Power ’ s Express Bender on display at EuroBLECH 2022 in Hanover , Germany .
Panel-bent parts . cells that incorporate press brakes and panel benders to work in symbiosis , as if they were a single machine , allows manufacturers to handle a diverse range of applications .
Like many other industries , the sheet metal bending sector is increasingly prioritising sustainability . Manufacturers need energyefficient bending machines to improve economic efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint .
Servo-electric technology
Servo-electric technology can help companies in the sheet metal bending industry be more competitive in several ways . In fact , servo-electric machines :
■ Consume less energy compared to hydraulic or mechanical machines because they only use electricity when needed . This results in lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint .
■ Offer precision bending with accurate control of the bending angle and speed . This ensures reliability , as well as consistent quality , and reduces material waste and scrap .
■ Perform bending operations faster than hydraulic or mechanical machines due to their high acceleration and deceleration rates .
■ Are highly flexible and can be programmed to handle different types of sheet metal and bending angles , making them more versatile and adaptable to changing production requirements .
A Prima Power integrated line at the Blechexpo exhibition in Stuttgart in November 2023 .
■ Require less maintenance than hydraulic or mechanical machines because they have fewer moving parts and do not require hydraulic fluid .
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