PRODUCT REVIEWS
The PowerBend Industrial folder. The gantry system for automatic loading and unloading on a MAK 4 Evolution UD.
Fully automated folding without robots
Fully automated folding without robots will be the focus of the Schröder Group’ s presence at EuroBLECH 2026( 20-23 October 2026 in Hanover, Germany). With a new gantry solution for the MAK 4 Evolution UD, Schröder is automating loading, unloading and gauging, enabling unmanned production. At EuroBLECH 2026, the company will present this and other highlights from its range of sheet metalworking machines on stand A48 in Hall 11.
Folding machines equipped with an Upand-Down folding beam and the Advanced Handling System( AHS), a rotating suction plate gauge, automatically process complete folding programs. With the newly introduced gantry solution, blanks can now be loaded automatically from pallets. The blanks are measured optically.
“ Unloading is also fully automatic, with the software allowing users to choose between different palletising options. We therefore provide a solution for unmanned production. Programming is carried out via the machine control. No robot is required and manual operation remains possible at all times,” said the manufacturer.
The PowerBend Industrial UD 3200 / 6.0 is a folding machine designed for steel sheets of up to 6mm thick.
“ Workpieces no longer need to be laboriously turned over for reverse bends, as the machine can fold both upwards and downwards. The 850mm clamping beam stroke provides ample clearance for deep workpieces. Equipped with the POS 3000 3D graphical control, a suction plate gauge and a radius step-bending function, the PowerBend Industrial UD delivers powerful performance for demanding industrial folding applications. To reduce non-productive time, folding programs can also be created offline on a PC during work preparation,” explained the Schröder Group.
At EuroBLECH 2026, the PowerBend Professional folder will be showcased with an Up-and-Down folding beam and a rotating clamping beam. It provides two tool stations, hydraulic tool clamping and a hemming function for producing hems in a single operation.
Representing its range of sheet metal shears, the manufacturer will also exhibit the PDC Power-Duo-Cut NC 3200 / 3.0. It features the Classic Cut NC positioning back gauge, a pneumatically controlled front sheet support with sheet chute and motorised blade gap adjustment for cuts tailored to the respective material. According to the company, in continuous operation, it achieves 34 strokes per minute.
“ Alongside their stability and repeatability, our machines are also valued for their ease of operation which at enables flexible use with changing batch sizes. One feature will be impossible to miss at this year’ s stand: the gantry system for automatic loading and unloading on a MAK 4 Evolution UD. At EuroBLECH, we are demonstrating that full automation all the way through to unmanned production can be achieved without the use of a robot. Particularly for larger orders, this allows the machine to operate at high capacity over extended periods,” concluded Markus Hibler, Managing Director, Hans Schröder Maschinenbau GmbH. n
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. schroedergroup. eu
FANUC develops CRX-3iA portable cobot
Developed for portability and rapid deployment, FANUC’ s new CRX-3iA collaborative robot is designed to optimise applications where ease of relocation, flexibility and autonomy underpin productivity.
“ With a total weight of 11kg, the CRX-3iA addresses a clear demand in sectors such as shipbuilding and steel construction, where operators weld large structures across expansive areas. An operator can easily carry the robot with one hand, reposition it at a new seam and resume work within seconds. This capability allows a single person to supervise multiple welding locations, overcoming the persistent shortage of skilled welders in Europe,” outlined the robotics specialist.
“ With a 3kg payload, the CRX-3iA can
The new FANUC CRX-3iA collaborative robot.
manipulate a welding torch and a seamtracking sensor simultaneously, while its ± 0.02mm repeatability delivers the precision necessary for critical welding tasks. The robot automatically detects its installation angle after relocation and, using a third-party laser scanner
or touch sensor, identifies weld seam locations and calculates paths accordingly,” it added. An optional magnetic base facilitates rapid, secure robot attachment directly to large steel structures. This flexibility reduces system complexity. As part of the wider CRX series( which extends to a 30kg payload and 1,756mm reach), the CRX-3iA integrates fully with FANUC’ s established control and software ecosystem. It also incorporates FANUC’ s wrist button technology, which allows operators to guide and teach positions directly from the robot arm without holding the FANUC Teach Pendant. n
www. fanuc. eu
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