this was quickly followed by an ELECT 130 which
can bend up to 130 mm diameter and 3 mm wall
thickness material. There are many advantages to
an all-electric system, namely the elimination of
hydraulics, lower power requirement, improved
machine setting and component quality.
“Competition is tough in the small diameter tube
bending sector, and chasing that volume work
wasn’t of interest to us,” says Ross Taylor. “However,
there are few companies that have invested in
larger capacity tube bending and we could see
the benefits of going after what may be smaller
volume work that would provide better margins.
I would say that we have reduced set-up times by
between 50 and 70 per cent compared to our old
hydraulic machines, but the biggest advantage
that we have seen is in getting the first-off part
right. This is a straightforward process compared
to previous as the set-up process is virtually
totally automated.” This automation of the set-up
is particularly important as Duright recognised
the variables that operators can bring to the
process. Previously it may have been the case that
between 10 – 20 parts had to be produced before
consistent production was achieved; now they are
guaranteed that the second part off the machine
will be exactly to drawing. The saving in material
and time is significant. This speed and consistency
of set-up fits well with Duright’s ‘just-in-time’
production mentality and with batch sizes varying
from 20-off to 1000-off efficiency in setting the
machines is a valuable asset.
be used to further develop bending strategies
and creates a library of information that enhances
productivity and performance on any future jobs
requiring similar bending parameters.
The control software is also playing its part in
Duright winning business. “Speed is key when
it comes to quoting, but those quotations need
to be accurate. To achieve speed and accuracy
we invested in a multi-user license for the BLM
software and we gave all of our salesmen training
in the application of it. So, now, when a customer
sends us a CAD 3D model (stp or igs) our salesmen
can upload it to the software, which then analyses
every option to bend that tube, whether its multi-
stack, one centreline radius, multiple centre line
radii, or variable radius bending, the software
confirms if the bend is possible and output a
reliable cycle time, which leads to an extremely
accurate quotation being produced very quickly.
Using the system in this way eliminates the time
that we used to need to get the right people
together to discuss the part and removes any
guesswork out of quoting.”
Additional benefits to Duright was eliminating the
need for hydraulic systems for bending, this has
taken away the risk of oil leaks and, the need for a
pump to be constantly running, which in turn leads
to a better and safer working environment. Electric
operation also gives greater control over the
bending process, delivering exactly the right torque
as required to take into account material types, the
result being consistent quality of bends.
Another factor in the success of Duright with the
BLM tube benders is the machine control and
software system from BLM, which provides a
seamless crossover between programs for the tube
laser machines and the ELECT benders. The control
also provides detailed feedback to Duright, which
it finds extremely valuable as that information can
5
TN JULY 2017