FACE TO FACE complexity parts. The panel bender performs the main operations, while the press brake completes bends that are not feasible on the panel bender. P-PB-CXN software automatically loads the B3 program.
This cell combines the best of two sheetmetal bending approaches: the reassuring tradition of the manual press brake with the panel bender designed to reduce set-up times, overcome the labour shortages, maintain the level of product quality over time and manage considerable variability in production batches.
The company’ s L3. G4 + P2-1620 work cell demonstrated how cutting and bending can be connected simply and effectively, even without physical automation. Data Matrix marking, DPR scanning and PDD with OPS-SFC visual support provide automatic program recall and traceability between and downstream standalone work centres, streamlining the flow and reducing manual intervention. Salvagnini recently won the Good Design ® Award for its L3. G4 fibre laser cutting machine.
Salvagnini demonstrated its FSL S4 + P4- 2520 flexible Smart Line, designed for lean production in one continuous flow, to ISMR. Punching and panel bending are
The P4-2520 panel bender.
An Xperience day presentation.
fully integrated, with no manual handling, no intermediate storage and no setup interruptions. With no logistics between the machines and automatic tool changes in cycle, the line supports batch-one, kit and high-mix production, while FLOW software manages the entire process, controlling sequencing and production logic.
Automation and AI
“ If it is true that the P4 panel benders have always been automated to be inserted into complex lines, such as the S4 + P4 line, the real revolution over the past few years concerns the automation of stand-alone machines, particularly with the P-Robot. This request came directly from our customers who asked us to be able to automate the P2 to manage unmanned shifts, optimise workshop layouts or have the flexibility to alternate automatic batches with single parts loaded manually,” outlined Nicola Artuso.
P-Robot responds to these needs by offering various levels of automation: from the simple loading / unloading from pallets on the ground up to its integration in flexible manufacturing systems that feed the panel bender in a fully autonomous manner without any interruptions. P-Robot combines a Salvagnini panel bender with a robot to produce kits, batches and single parts autonomously. The robot is programmed directly on the machine. The operator defines the loading area, the unloading area and the stacking criteria; the control software autonomously calculates the ideal trajectories for the robotic arm, eliminating downtimes for programming.
The last frontier for Salvagnini automation is the implementation of artificial vision in the robotised cell, which increases the level of system“ intelligence”.
“ In a scenario of maximum integration, an AMR( autonomous mobile robot) picks up the cut parts from a laser machine and positions the pallet in the work area of the panel bender. At this point, the P-Robot uses artificial intelligence to scan the area, recognize the previously coded part and start production automatically,” outlined Artuso.
Because bends remain consistent over time, downstream automated or robotised operations benefit directly: robotic welding, assembly and finishing run faster, with fewer fixtures, less touch-up and more stable cycle times. The result, says Salvagnini, is an attractive total cost of ownership: lower energy and consumables, less changeover time and a reduced cost-per-bend across both high-mix / low-volume and large-series production. n
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. salvagninigroup. com
The P-Robot cell.
A press brake demonstration at the Xperience event.
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