PRODUCT REVIEWS
Flexible folding
Bending sheet steel with a thickness of up to 16mm over a working length of 3240mm is now possible with the Schröder EVO Heavy Duty swivel-folding process . The EVO Heavy Duty , equipped with hydraulic compact drives , takes over tasks that previously required press brakes . For flexible use , the machine features new control software , including the option of offline programming , to maximize machine availability and productivity .
“ Swivel folding increases productivity due to easier workpiece handling and enables greater accuracies . Its innovative hydraulic compact drives offer a clamping force of 200 t . The main drive has an output of 37kW ,” explained the German bending specialist .
“ The clamping and folding beam drives on both sides ensure rapid closing of the clamping beam and swivelling of the folding beam . The clamping beam stroke of 500mm offers plenty of space for workpieces - 16mm-thick sheet steel can be formed up to a bending angle of 180 °, which means that pre-bent sheets can also be closed ,” added the manufacturer .
The EVO Heavy Duty is operated with the POS2000 Professional or optional POS3000 Professional control . The folding programs can
also be prepared offline in the Schröder Unfold CAD / CAM solution . It was showcased at FABTECH in Chicago , USA , this September .
The Schröder Group consists of Hans Schröder Maschinenbau GmbH in Wessobrunn-Forst , Germany ; SCHRÖDER-FASTI Technologie GmbH in Wermelskirchen , Germany , and SMU GmbH in Leinburg-Weißenbrunn .
Founded in 1949 , Hans Schröder Maschinenbau GmbH unifies traditional and modern approaches in machine building . Managed as a quality and customer-oriented , family-owned company , Hans Schröder Maschinenbau specialises in the development
of modern machine concepts for bending and cutting sheet metal .
The successful integration of the Fasti Company in 2006 and its worldwide presence makes the Schröder Group a leading provider of machines for bending , cutting , beading , flanging and circular bending all types of sheet metal . In 2021 , the Schröder Group was expanded by addition of the tool manufacturer , SMU GmbH . Overall , the Schröder Group currently employs more than 300 people at various locations . n
Robotic bending cell
With over 50 years of experience in the production of machines and solutions for the sheet metal industry , GIZELIS has introduced its ROBOBEND 2 system . This fully automated robotic bending cell incorporates Automatic Tool Change ( ATC ) with bending and palletising procedures as a turnkey solution .
“ The system offers ultimate flexibility thanks to its smart design , as it can be operated in three different modes . Individual safety systems are activated in each working mode in full compliance with EU directives . There is large capacity for tooling ( punches and dies ) which can be safely organised in a robust , smart tooling warehouse , able to store more than 20m of punches and dies ( including tooling in very small segments for bending small / complex details ),” explained GIZELIS .
The three working modes for the robotic bending cell are as follows :
n Operation as a fully automated robotic bending cell ( e . g . for mass production of repeated parts ). n Automatic Tool Change operation only , where the robot automatically builds the tool stations then parks itself at the side . An operator then performs the bending . n Operation as a standard bending machine , by an operator , where the robot stays at the parked position and the operator bends the parts ( e . g . for complex parts , in small batches ).
“ The ROBOBEND 2 system features powerful offline software , for programming and simulating the entire robotic cell . It accepts 2D / 3D drawings of the part to be
bent and then ( while the system is working ) a trained engineer can program the complete robotic cell offline to get it ready for the next job ,” added GIZELIS .
The system is , said the manufacturer , compatible with Industry 4.0 protocols . Direct remote maintenance services are also offered .
ROBOBEND 2 will be presented at the Blechexpo exhibition in Stuttgart , Germany , this October . Visit GIZELIS on stand 1703-2 in Hall 1 at the show . n
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