FOCUS ON STAMPING for manufacturing bipolar plates, a key component in fuel cells and electrolysers. The presses feature a zero-clearance slide gib system, inherited from the ULX series.
The BEX architecture is built around a single-pressure-point design. This allows the concentration of the press’ s full capacity in the centre of the table and optimises the relative deflection between the slide and bolster, thereby extending die life. The BEX product line-up consists of 8,000kN, 12,000kN and 16,000kN models, both servo press and mechanical press specifications.
AIDA-America and HMS Products Co.( a press automation manufacturer based in Troy, MI, USA) will exhibit advanced servo press and transfer system technology at FABTECH 2025 this September in Chicago( USA)— see page 71 for further details.
ANDRITZ Schuler, a specialist in single presses and laser solutions, recently introduced its Laser Blanking Line 1.18 DFT which reduces the number of work steps and increases material utilisation. The system can produce parts next to trapezoids and rectangular blanks for operational efficiency and flexibility.
The company’ s presses mint coins for more than 180 countries. Products also include automation; dies; process expertise; digital solutions and service for the entire metalworking industry. Its Digital Suite brings together solutions for networking forming technology and is continuously being developed. The company’ s Metris Visual Die Protection( VDP uses advanced camera technologies and image processing algorithms to continuously monitor the condition of dies in real-time.
Systems for the mass production of metal bipolar plates for fuel cells are also offered. Its MSD series servo presses feature a monoblock press frame. Its single presses and multi-stage press lines are of modular design( the“ TRITON” concept). Its press lines include the ServoMAX, ServoNEXT and MechNEXT.
During the first half of 2025, ANDRITZ advanced its acquisition strategy with LDX Solutions( a North American provider of emission reduction technologies) followed by an agreement in April to acquire A. Celli Paper, a specialist in tissue and winding technology. In June, ANDRITZ announced two further acquisitions: Diamond Power International, a global specialist in boiler cleaning systems and services, and Salico Group, a supplier of metal strip and plate finishing equipment with a strong international presence.
AP & T will be participating at FABTECH in USA this September and Blechexpo in Stuttgart, Germany, this October to showcase production solutions for the manufacturing of large press-hardened automotive components
The AIDA BEX Series.
( AP & T ® SkyLines is its compact presshardening line, specially developed to handle large and complex components). The Swedish specialist will also include its products and new business models for high lifetime performance and sustainable profitability. In June 2025, it introduced two new control systems( one for presses and one for automation and furnaces) with improved integration into its turnkey production lines. Both new control systems are prepared for IoT and machine learning and, said AP & T,“ will allow for easy future integration of AI applications such as automated status monitoring, self-analysis and early anomaly detection.”
AP & T’ s global portfolio includes complete production lines with presses, linear automation, tools, heat treatment systems and services such as maintenance, spare part provision, optimisation and rebuilds. AP & T celebrated sixty years of operation in 2024.
The Balconi team at LAMIERA 2025 in Milan, Italy.
Italian manufacturer Balconi Presseccentriche S. p. A. produces transfer, blanking and servo presses as well as presses for progressive tools, impact extrusion presses and fin die presses. Its press model 4DMRF-LD-2000 has a 2,000kN cushion and three-axis electronic transfer. The press can produce up to 27 strokes per minute. In 2024, the company celebrated its 85th anniversary. Boldrini( part of the FACCIN Group) is a manufacturer of hydraulic dished-end presses, flanging machines and manipulators. The presses feature high speeds including approach, return and, particularly, pressure build-up timing that, it told ISMR, results in a substantial increase in head production. The Boldrini CNC-controlled portal frame press with automatic manipulator, PGD series, is designed for both cold and hot-forming applications.
Its heavy duty four-column, dual-use, hydraulic deep drawing press has a capacity up to 5000 tons. The ROTEX design combines a hot forming press with a hot flanging machine capable of forming heads of up to 200mm in thickness. The Boldrini RIBO series flanging machine is used to manufacture dished heads for pressure vessels, steam boilers etc. For Boldrini innovations at Blechexpo 2025, see page 105.
Its manufacturing line includes specially designed hydraulic presses with one or more independent cylinders used for folding, straightening and shaping of components for naval, aircraft and aerospace applications. Hydroforming and / or air forming presses, used for multiple purposes, are also available.
Swiss stamping specialist, Bruderer AG, employs some 500 people all over the world, 390 of whom work at its Frasnacht site in Switzerland, where all its stamping presses are produced. Around 95 % of the company’ s products are manufactured for the export market. Its stamping presses include the BSTA 710-220 and BSTL 350-88 models( the latter for customers involved in volume production of small and miniature components). Bruderer UK has just opened a new 10,000 square-metre‘ centre of manufacturing excellence’ in Hortonwood( UK).
“ As a fixed-stroke press, the BSTL uses up to 30 % less energy when compared to older machine models. It comes with a new-generation servo feed unit,” commented Bruderer. The BSTA 710-220, said Bruderer,
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