Electric mobility is on the rise – and the effects of this are also evident in the supply chain. The key trends in tube bending include lightweight construction, customised machine configuration and automation.

For instance, tube bending machine manufacturer Schwarze-Robitec is witnessing a substantial increase in orders that go beyond the bending of typical round tubes. Instead, lightweight construction increasingly requires complex, asymmetrical shapes with diverse cross sections. And the differences do not end there.

With the shift towards electric mobility, the traditional standard tube bending machine with predefined performance parameters is increasingly giving way to product-specific special machines that can be customised according to client needs. Bending performance, geometric measurements such as bending radius and tube length, tool installation space and software can increasingly be aligned with client and product requirements.

Manufacturers of tube bending machines need to respond to the challenges of their target industries by supplying high-performance machines that are tailored precisely to customer needs. To achieve this, Schwarze-Robitec is relying on multi-level technology. Used in combination with customisable multi-radius bending tools, this technology facilitates simple and precise bending with only short lengths of tube between individual bends. The effect is clearest to see when different radii, bend-in-bend systems or complex tube systems are being manufactured, as even a few seconds saved per component can have a huge positive impact on production efficiency.

In view of the shift toward alternative powertrains, the frequently used buzzword ‘automation’ is more relevant than ever. Manufacturers of tube bending machines need to focus on extensive automation and increasingly integrate work processes that go beyond bending. This is not just the case for tube bending processes in large-scale series production, but increasingly for very low-volume batch work.

For further information
www.schwarze-robitec.com