FOCUS ON PRESS BRAKES
Two weeks after commissioning, the TruBend 7050 with the Flex Cell bending automation system was fully integrated into the production process and running at full speed.
With the Flex Cell bending automation system, Steinhuber is increasing productivity and shortening delivery times by enabling unmanned night shifts.
The Flex Cell can be quickly and easily attached to the TruBend 7050 for automated operation and detached again for manual operation.
The robot grips even asymmetrical parts.
However, this is not an issue for S & S Steinhuber. Over 50 different parts are now bent there automatically, and the number is constantly increasing.
“ TRUMPF used the online data from the machines to show us that we had already completed almost half a million bends on the two machines after such a short time. That surprised us, but also confirmed that our investment had paid off,” said Ferdinand Steinhuber.
Although the programming was challenging at the beginning, this did not slow down the Steinhuber team.
“ Our great team here was enthusiastic about what it was doing and quickly got the hang of it,” said Gerhard Steinhuber proudly. For simple parts with one or two bends and a simple contour, the Flex Cell is ready for use in around an hour. For more complicated parts, he said, it takes a little longer.
“ The staff need to be more highly qualified but, once the system is up and running, it runs smoothly and our skilled workers can spend time completing other work,” confirmed Gerhard Steinhuber.
Fully automated in 25 minutes
Although both automated systems are currently in continuous use, the Steinhubers agree that the option of switching the TruBend 7050 back to manual operation( if required) is a helpful feature. The entire system requires less than ten square metres of space and can easily be pushed aside.
“ Up to now, we have never disconnected our two Flex Cells,” said Ferdinand Steinhuber.“ Of course, we learned how to disconnect them during training. The effort was minimal. The automation was disconnected, moved, reconnected and recalibrated in just 25 minutes.”
The Steinhuber team can program simple parts in around an hour.
Flexibility, efficiency and a little more independence is what the managing directors of S & S Steinhuber GmbH in Austria hoped to achieve by retrofitting their TruBend 7050 press brakes with TRUMPF’ s Flex Cell bending automation system. Parts can be processed overnight on the TRUMPF TruBend 7050 press brake, equipped with Flex Cell bending automation. This flexibility, the reduced workload for their employees, more efficient production and consistent quality of the parts have convinced the Steinhubers of the benefits of the Flex Cell.
“ It’ s too early to give any concrete figures after such a short time but productivity has increased significantly. Our delivery times have also become shorter because we can now run unmanned night shifts. The system
is fast and the robot always picks up parts consistently and correctly, even asymmetrical ones. The ACB angle sensor ensures process reliability, so it doesn’ t get any better than this,” concluded Ferdinand Steinhuber. n
About TRUMPF
TRUMPF is a high-tech company offering manufacturing solutions in machine tools and laser technology. It drives digital connectivity in manufacturing through consultancy, platform products and software. TRUMPF is one of the technology and market leaders in versatile machinetools for sheet metal processing and industrial lasers.
In 2024 / 25, TRUMPF employed 17,750 people and generated sales of 4.3 billion euros( preliminary figures). With about 90 companies, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly every European country as well as in North America, South America and Asia. The company has production facilities in Germany; France; the United Kingdom; Italy; Austria; Switzerland; Poland; the Czech Republic; the United States; Mexico and China.
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www. trumpf. com
ISMR February 2026 | ismr. net | 25