FOCUS ON BENDING
When the part needs a large radius to be formed , the same tooling can be used on a folding beam to smoothly make incremental bends until the necessary radius is achieved . While not a one-size-fits-all solution , folders offer strong flexibility for a wide variety of needs .
“ CNC folding machines have pre-aligned upper beam and lower beam tools , minimising tool set-up time and allowing the fabricator to change from part to part very quickly . In today ’ s pressures on small batch sizes and large volume , this is one of the main advantages of folding ,” RAS told ISMR .
Another advantage is part handling . Larger parts can be manipulated on the gauging , eliminating the need for multiple operators and increasing part accuracies . Folding machines clamp and bend the part when it is laying flat on the gauging table and the flange is being bent , which helps accuracy , so that the operator does not need to ‘ manage ’ the part during the forming process .
Larger parts that require two operators typically can be manipulated by one operator on a folder because the bulk of the part is resting on the table and the operator can rotate it by himself . The CNC control will prompt the operator on how to position the part . Precision tooling and CNC control technology will check for bending collisions and select bend sequences , shrinking the actual set-up time and providing more run time .
Folders and press brakes complement each other in sheet metal bending operations – they each have individual advantages and benefits in the press shop .
Folding innovations
In this article , we highlight some of the latest innovations in global folding technology .
German folding specialist , Biegemaster , designed the Biegemaster BendTron to be its first generation to be driven completely by electric motors . The BendTron enables users to bend all common profiles with a bending length ranging from 4 to 15 metres with material thicknesses of up to 1.5mm ( steel ). It is particularly suitable for exacting roof , wall and façade profiles . Precise positioning is possible with an electronic back gauge and flexible sheet metal grilles .
“ Shaft-controlled bending is assured through fully electro-kinetically driven bending joints for quiet and powerful operation . Inclined bending beams and optimised clamping beam geometry offer a high degree of flexibility and short counter-folds ,” added Biegemaster .
The Biegemaster Dura offers a wide range of applications for simple and quick bending of demanding roof , wall and façade profiles . It is optionally equipped with a hydraulic adjustable clamping beam for material thickness adjustment . There is an archive of all previously used projects on the machines and an intuitive
The Biegemaster XBend .
control system via multi-touch display with a wide range of functions .
“ For double bends , the Biegemaster XBend bends material thicknesses of up to 2mm steel sheet metal automatically . Users benefit from high productivity and easy handling . Fully automatic bending is possible in two directions without turning the sheet around and an electronic back gauge ensures precise positioning . The clamping beam can be controlled with millimetre precision for perfect folds and automatic loading assistance is featured for the easy insertion of sheet metal ,” added the manufacturer .
The companies of The Bradbury Group have been manufacturing rollforming machinery since 1959 . The Group has also developed Long Folders™ , which feature the Intelli-Fold™ Controller , made by its partners at Beck Automation . The Intelli-Fold™ Controller features resident programs and a graphic display that allows operators to save time by sketching a part profile and then entering its dimensions and angles . Screen prompts guide the process .
It offers a long bed hydraulic folder ( 13-foot sheet metal folder ) with a 145-degree bending apron , a beam-mounted slitter , a hydraulic valve stack ; spring steel back gauge fingers and rotating back gauge fingers . Machine design allows open hem , closed hem and teardrop hems . Two-stage hydraulics combine fast cycling with soft starts and stops for
CIDAN ’ s FORMA Z folder will be on display at Blechexpo in Stuttgart this October . reduced wear and tear on folder and operator . Two-position back gauges minimize travel time . An optional stop can be used to create tapered sections .
Bradbury Folders come with free firmware downloads from Beck Automation and controllers with optional office-to-folder download capability . Standard models are designed to handle 30-gauge to 11-gauge metal and are available in five lengths – 13 ’, 21 ’, 26 ’, 33 ’ and 40 ’.
A two-position back gauge increases machine flexibility and cuts travel time . It can be moved to any location along the length of the folder . The Hybrid Finger™ assembly is designed to be positioned within 1 / 2 inch of folds as well as provide positive edge contact and consistent part alignment .
A safety stop for the upper jaw can be programmed according to local regulations and a full-length emergency kick rail provides e-stop and lock shutdown . Emergency stop foot pedals are supplied for each of two operators . Other safety features are also incorporated into the equipment .
CIDAN Machinery Group is a leading manufacturer in the sheet metal industry with a strong market position in USA , Europe and other key markets . The company produces and markets the brands CIDAN , FORSTNER , nuIT and GÖTENEDS worldwide . Its machine portfolio is wide-ranging , from power folders , coil processing , mechanical shears and software . CIDAN Machinery Group has extensive production facilities in Götene , Sweden and in Feldkirch and St . Pölten in Austria , and its own sales and service offices in the USA , China and Denmark .
“ The CIDAN FORMA Z is a powerful , versatile and efficient industrial metal folder . The design of the folding beam enables straightforward folding upwards or downwards . The COMBI Beam rotation
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