SafanDarley E-Brake 35T Mini Cell at Stetec

At Stetec in Maarheeze, innovation is key. Exemplifying this notion, the company recently invested in a SafanDarley E-Brake 35T Mini Cell with E-Bend Check, taking a major step forward in its production automation. The Mini Cell helps Stetec work more efficiently and accurately, while E-Bend Checkensures every bending angle is measured and automatically corrected.

“At Stetec, we specialise in precision sheet metal fabrication, meaning we produce sheet metal components for technically advanced companies,” explains manufacturing engineer Rick Zalm.“Within the company, we handle both small and medium series production parts, in a wide variety of types and sizes. We therefore need machines that can produce all kinds of products, utilising different tools and technologies.”

He continues: “We saw the latest robotics and technologies of SafanDarley at a trade show. The Mini Cell aligned perfectly with the production methods that we want to apply.”

Stetec already has five SafanDarley press brakes in operation on the company’s modern production lines, so the Mini Cell felt like a familiar and reliable choice.

“The Mini Cell is performing exceptionally well,” states planning co-ordinator Daan Zalm. “I’ve noticed that we can produce more products and work in a more optimised way. Also, we have significantly greater control compared with manual operations. This reduces the risk of human error, enabling us to deliver better and more consistent quality.”

He adds: “After the SafanDarley Mini Cell performs a bend, we can check it with E-Bend Check to verify the angles and make automatic compensation adjustments as necessary. The result? We always deliver high-quality products to our customers. Moreover, we can run the Mini Cell unmanned in the evenings, which leads to higher output.”

More information www.safandarley.com

Vaski Group acquires Ursviken Technology

Vaski Group, a Finnish manufacturer of flat bar processing and sheet metal handling, punching and bending machinery, has acquired Ursviken Technology, a Swedish manufacturer specialising in press brake and shear solutions. The acquisition follows Vaski Group’s 2024 purchase of Pivatic Oy, a manufacturer of automatic sheet metal fabrication systems.

The purchase brings together two industrial companies with a shared vision for innovation and excellence. After the fusion, the companies will share a combined revenue of nearly €50m and a workforce of over 200 professionals. Vaski Group is renowned for its heavy investment in R&D, pushing the boundaries of technology to create innovative solutions. The group’s presence in Seinäjoki and Hyvinkää, Finland, and Ursviken Technology’s operations in Skellefteå, Sweden, will form a robust network leveraging the strengths of the Nordic region’s industrial base.

This year marks a significant milestone for Vaski Group, as the businesses celebrate a combined 200 years of excellence. Ursviken Technology commemorates 140 years of innovation, Pivatic marks 50 years of delivering sheet metal punching and bending solutions, and Vaski celebrates a decade of pushing the boundaries of industrial technology.

Michael Mansour, CEO of Vaski Group, says: “The acquisition represents a significant step forward in our mission to drive industrial innovation and support sustainable growth across the Nordic region and beyond. Together, we will unlock new opportunities and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Nicklas Jakobsson, CEO of Ursviken Technology AB, adds: “Becoming part of Vaski Group marks an important milestone for Ursviken. Our shared values and complementary strengths will enable us to reach new goals and continue to deliver solutions to our customers worldwide.”

More information www.ursviken.com

Bystronic Mobile Bending Cell milestone

In 2024, Bystronic says it delivered its 300thMobile Bending Cell:German company Josef Wiegand GmbH ordered the landmark automated system. Wiegand, a business based in Rasdorf,  is known for its toboggan runs, slides for children and special events, as well as water slides, which it supplies all around the world.

Around 350 employees produce leisure equipment in Rasdorf, partly by hand. The products find use in the mountains of China, at European amusement parks, at American ski resorts, in shopping malls, on playgrounds, and even on cruise ships. Now the company has decided to automate certain manufacturing processes so it can react to customer requests better and faster.

“We were always satisfied with Bystronic press brakes and laser cutters, and the software was also impressive,” says CEO Hendrik Wiegand. “So it was clear that we had to go with another Bystronic. We’re particularly pleased to be the 300th recipient of this machine.” 

Bystronic duly delivered the milestone Bystronic Mobile Bending Cell – along with a ByBend Star 80 and a Mobile Bending Robot – to Wiegand. The machine was presented in a small ceremony, specially finished in Wiegand’s colours.

“The delivery of the 300thMobile Bending Cell shows that Bystronic is meeting a clear need in the sheet metal processing industry,” says Marcel Fiedler, global product line manager for automation at Bystronic. “We’re happy to support our customers with their plans for growth.” 

More information www.bystronic.com

Productive solutions for smart manufacturing

At the EuroBLECH exhibition in Germany towards the end of last year, Belgium-based LVD opted to highlight productivity solutions for smart manufacturing on its stand, where new products included a high-tonnage Easy-Form press brake, an Easy-Cell robotic bending cell and a fully-automatic panel bender.

The Easy-Form 9 400/40 press brake was the largest high-tonnage press brake LVD has ever exhibited at EuroBLECH. The 400-ton machine is floor mounted, meaning no foundation is necessary. It features a six-axis modular back-gauge for high application versatility and a total of 10 axes for the precise bending of large and long parts. A built-in Easy-Form Laser adaptive bending system guarantees repeatable accuracy for quality assurance.

Also at the show, visitors could see how LVD’s Easy-Cell 80/25 combines an Easy-Form 80-ton press brake with a Kuka industrial robot to automate the bending of parts from 100 x 100 mm up to 1600 x 1200 mm – weighing up to 25 kg. The press brake offers a 2500 mm bend length, five-axis back-gauge and 2500 mm crowning table, providing the flexibility to accommodate a wide scope of applications. Easy-Cell features an adaptive bending system which ensures bend angle accuracy from the first part. LVD CADMAN software provides fast, simple offline programming of both press brake and robot.

Elsewhere on the stand, LVD’s Multifold 2111 panel bender demonstrated the fully automatic loading, folding and stacking of workpieces up to a maximum bend length of 2100 mm in thicknesses up to 2 mm cold rolled steel with bend heights up to 110 mm. A flexible and time-efficient alternative to die bending for many applications, Multifold requires only one set of tooling – a universal set of servo-operated up-and-down folding blades – to produce numerous profiles and various types of bends.

More information www.lvdgroup.com

Cobot welding open day

On 26 March (10:00-14:30), Fronius UK will host an insightful collaborative robot (cobot)welding cell open day at its facility in Milton Keynes. The free-to-attend event offers an opportunity to see the CWC-S and mobile cobot welding cells in action. Fronius cobot welding cells enhance production processes by delivering precision, efficiency and safety. The cobots are suitable for both small components and larger, more challenging fabrications, ensuring a versatile solution. They also eliminate the need for extensive programming skills thanks to their intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

Register at www.bit.ly/4hRpvPu