FOCUS ON FOLDERS
The VH / VHB folder from Sucorema.
clamping beam and folding beam. With the up-and-down folding beam and a pneumatic rotating plate with suction cups, workpieces can be completed automatically after single positioning of the sheet metal.
The PowerBend Multi 4000 × 2.0mm folder features a back gauge that can be set at an angle to enable tapered bending. This means that profiles can be manufactured that fit precisely into one another.
“ The rotating clamping beam not only offers flexibility, but also an extremely practical hemming function. Hemmed folds can be produced completely in one step with the folding beam. This function is now also available on another machine on display at the trade show: the PowerBend Professional,” it told ISMR.
Another powerful folding machine from the Group is the PowerBend Industrial UD 4000 × 5.0 mm for industrial processing of thick and thin, large-area sheets. The clamping beam stroke of 850mm allows box depths of up to 400mm. Using the motorised folding beam movement, switching between positive and negative bends with the up-and-down folding beam is rapid and precise.
Other folders include the EVO Heavy Duty, which bends up to 16mm thick sheets over a working length of 3240mm, and the EVO DuoBend double folder. The highly automated folder EVO Center, the SPB Evolution UD, the PowerBend Professional folder and the 225 model, plus various manually operated folders, complete the Group’ s bending portfolio.
At EuroBLECH 2024, The Schröder Group teamed up with automation specialist STARMATIK to present a system that could be integrated into fully automated industrial production processes. A MAK 4 Evolution UD was equipped with a Fanuc robot, loading the machine with up to 6mm thick sheets and 3000 x 1500mm in size and placing the finished bent product on a palletising station. The Schröder Group celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024. Sucorema is a Portuguese company
dedicated to the manufacture of machines and systems for the sheet metal industry, under its own brand Stefa. With more than two decades of experience in designing and producing its own machines, Sucorema specialises in long folding machines, rollformers and cut-to-length / slitting lines. Its Stefa VH long folder features rounded“ C” arms to ensure enough pressure for hemming.
SWI Machinery’ s Duplex folder.
Australian manufacturer, SWI Machinery, offers a range that includes Simplex & Duplex folders; Marxman slitters; integrated cutto-length lines; uncoilers; recoilers; multistation uncoilers; roll formers and complete customised process lines. SWI’ s latest Duplex folder model incorporates advances in control and mechanical design. The folder is used by roofing fabricators worldwide.
“ Our Duplex folders are built for speed and durability. When designing the Duplex, we listened to what our customers wanted from an up & down folder,” it explained.“ Our Simplex folder is fast, simple and flexible enough to be used even by the most inexperienced operators. Maximum fold angle is 150 degrees, with clamp angle of 45 degrees.”
The new automated SWI Duplex Side Loader simultaneously loads the workpieces while others are already being folded. This helps fabricators to perform more mass production and minimize time losses with swift transitions to the next piece in line.
The manufacturer’ s eBend app allows flashing and trim details to be sent. Files automatically generated by the eBend app can be emailed directly to SWI’ s range of Marxman slitters, Simplex and Duplex folders for direct production without any further data input in the manufacturing process.
Variobend-ASCO GmbH became one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of long-length bending machines( see also Forge entry in this article). It created the patented VARIOBEND bending system.
“ The new Variobend V 2.5 is 100 % electric. Thanks to the new bending geometry with 300 degrees of free space, profiles with an aspect ratio of 1:2 can also be produced without any problems. The closed frame profile ensures that the V2.5 no longer has to be anchored to the workshop floor. The machine can be adjusted perfectly to uneven floors using narrowly positioned, adjustable feet,” said the manufacturer.
“ The bending of narrow counter edges of 12mm is also standard on the new V 2.5. A maximum bending angle of 150 degrees and the typical Variobend inclined bending beams, for even more space, round off the innovative overall package and enable the production of even more demanding profiles for the facades of the future,” it continued.
“ The new generation of the Variobend cutting device is characterised by its automation. Cutting gap and overlap adjustment are set fully automatically in less than one second. Based on the bending thickness, the cutting device processes up to 2.50mm steel. In addition, the new positioning of the cutting rail allows even more space for flashings. With a free space of 300 degrees, the new geometry of the V2.5 ensures even more variety in profile production,” added Variobend.
A newly introduced DP( Dynamic Pressure Regulation) system allows the clamping pressure to be individually adjusted on each stand. Other Variobend models include the DB Up / Down folder and the EB long-length folder. VARIOBEND Pro 4.0 software displays all process steps for an efficient planning process.
VARIOBEND V-TOUCH software enables various profiles and folders to be set up in profile management. n
The new Variobend V 2.5 electric folder.
98 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2025