INDUSTRY NEWS
Automated panel bender purchase for GF
Genius Facades , a UK manufacturer of non-combustible , aluminium , rainscreen façade systems , has invested in a TRUMPF TruBend Center 7030 fully automated panel bender .
With a fast-expanding order book , Genius Facades has been investing heavily in new manufacturing technology for its two purpose-built factories in the Midlands , UK . It saw the acquisition of a new panelbending machine as the next step in the evolution of its production proficiency .
“ We were keen to expand our in-house manufacturing capabilities to keep up with rising customer orders for our A1 noncombustible rain-screen facades ,” confirmed Richard Bland , Production Director , Genius Facades . “ We looked to TRUMPF in the first instance due to our long-standing and successful working relationship .”
In 2022 , Genius Facades installed a TRUMPF TruPunch 5000R XL punching machine and a TRUMPF TruBend 5170 pressbrake , adding to a long line of TRUMPF models at the company . Genius Facades even has a 21-year-old TRUMPF punching machine that is still fully operational .
“ We knew that investing in a fully automated panel bender , such as the
The TruBend Center 7030 .
TRUMPF TruBend Center 7030 , would significantly increase our bending speed and offer excellent automation capabilities ,” stated Richard Bland .
Panel bending is suitable for complex bending applications with radius bends , short sides or narrow profiles . The bending frame of TRUMPF panel benders features a C-profile mounted with the lower and upper bending tools . Upon bending the sheet metal , the profile moves up or down and performs a small elliptical movement , known as the swivel . Speed and flexibility are the main characteristics of panel benders , especially when handling small-to-medium batch sizes . Panel benders are also suitable for productively bending a component ’ s different radii sizes using the same tool .
The TRUMPF TruBend Center 7030 panel bender offers automatic part loading and unloading for forming panels of up to 3m in length . The machine features both rotary and two-axis part manipulators . Using the rotary part manipulator , the TruBend Center 7030 can bend components fully automatically . The manipulator secures and rotates the sheet into the required position . Axis speeds of 3,000mm / s make it possible to increase productivity significantly . “ When it comes to positioning smaller parts , the patented two-axis part manipulator also comes into play . Synchronised interaction of the rotary and two-axis part manipulators allows what is for fully automatic panel bending an unusually large degree of freedom to shape components . The ACB ( Automatically Controlled Bending ) laser measuring system ensures precise angles for a first part / perfect part approach . Sensors determine the actual angle together with the springback and guide the ram to achieve the required angle ,” concluded TRUMPF . n
www
. trumpf . com
Wire and Tube focus on sustainability
A total of 2,700 exhibitors were in Düsseldorf , Germany , in April over five trade fair days on around 120,000 square metres ’ net of exhibition space for the Wire and Tube trade shows . Almost 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries over 67,400 square metres contributed to the largest Wire show in its almost 40-year Düsseldorf history . The Tube show ( with around 52,200 square metres ) attracted 1,200 exhibitors from 54 countries . Energy efficiency and sustainability were major themes at the trade shows .
“ Wire , cable and tube / pipe industries , as well as their upstream suppliers , are ready for future energy-related challenges ,” said the show organiser , Messe Düsseldorf .
“ For the first time , a packed programme comprising lectures , presentations , special shows and digital guided tours accompanied the hustle and bustle in the exhibition halls . Special Areas and digital trails on hot topics such as ecoMetals ; hydrogen ; plastic pipes ; separating ; cutting ; sawing and stainless steel provided information on their news and trends ,” it continued .
Image : Courtesy of Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann .
Specialists from numerous exhibiting firms presented their companies ’ sustainability strategies , discussed paths towards the green transformation and energy and climate policy with the audience or presented successes achieved on the way to decarbonisation .
Trends in wire and cable machines , in wire and cable manufacture , as well as the latest developments in glass fibre technologies , mesh welding machinery , spring-making and connection and fastener technologies were also presented .
“ The exhibition stands in Halls 1 to 7.1 made it clear that the tube industry not only ‘ thinks big ’ but also boasts convincing , sustainable concepts for the use of renewable energies and the reduction of CO₂ emissions . The sectors using tubes and pipelines are as highly diverse as the requirements for the material properties and sorts / grades ,” added Messe Düsseldorf .
Apart from Germany itself , trade visitors also came from Italy ; Spain ; Belgium ; France ; Austria ; the Netherlands ; Turkey ; Switzerland ; UK ; Sweden ; Poland ; the Czech Republic ; the USA ; Canada ; South Korea ; Taiwan ; India and Japan .
“ Noticeably more visitors than before came from Central and North America , Turkey and Asia ,” added the show organiser .
Wire and Tube will again fly their flags in Düsseldorf , Germany , from 13-17 April 2026 . n
www . tube-tradefair . com
www . wire-tradefair . com
12 | ismr . net | ISMR June 2024