LVD has expanded its line of ToolCell automated tool-changing press brakes with the ToolCell 220/30 Plus and ToolCell 220/40 Plus. The new Plus models can handle bend lengths of 3 and 4 m, and deliver 220 tons of bending force. Both feature an open height of 570 mm (with a stroke of 300 mm) to accommodate tools capable of producing high flanges. If required, this can be enhanced to an opening of 670 mm and a stroke of 400 mm.

LVD’s ToolCell hydraulic press brake features an integrated tool changer and tool-storage system. The machine automatically selects and places the tooling required for the job. While the operator is preparing parts for the next job, the machine unloads the previous tooling and loads the next set-up, all without manual intervention.
The accuracy of bending operations is said to be assured with LVD’s patented Easy-Form Laser adaptive-bending system, which is standard on all ToolCell models. Easy-Form Laser provides in-process angle monitoring via laser scanners located on the front and back of the press brake table. The system transmits information in real time to the CNC, which adjusts parameters accordingly to generate the correct angle. No production time is lost as the bending process is not interrupted. Using Easy-Form Laser, the machine is able to adapt to material variations such as sheet thickness, strain hardening and grain direction, automatically compensating for any changes.
ToolCell press brakes are Industry 4.0-ready thanks to LVD’s latest generation Touch-B control, which is linked to a central CADMAN database where all production-relevant data is stored.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Wiltshire-based Alvan Blanch, a specialist in the design and manufacture of machines and integrated systems for the processing of agricultural produce and waste materials, has installed two of the UK’s highest specification E-Brakes from SafanDarley. The purchase was prompted by a bottleneck in the company’s press bay following investment in automation for its laser-cutting and punching machines.

“Due to our growth and the acceleration of other processes on site, we had little choice but to invest in new press brakes,” explains production manager Neil Connor. “We looked at suitable machines across the market, including those from our existing supplier. However, the E-Brake 200-4100 NS machines from SafanDarley were the most advanced, not just in terms of their servo-electronic technology, but the user-friendly CNC. We’re based in a small village, so finding skilled labour is really difficult. If we lose a skilled operator through sickness, for example, we sometimes need to assign a replacement who isn’t necessarily familiar with the technology.”
The ability to program the SafanDarley E-Brakes offline allows Alvan Blanch to assign unskilled labour to the machines, safe in the knowledge that they simply have to follow on-screen instructions to complete the task successfully.
“To emphasise this point, we have recently recruited two brand new operators who have never used press brakes before,” says Connor. “However, they’ve taken to the E-Brakes really well and are working away quite happily now – after just four weeks in the job!”
Alvan Blanch traded-in two of its four previous press brakes as part of the investment, so there are still four machines in total on site. However, despite this, the two new E-Brakes have boosted productivity by 30% to relieve the previous bottleneck.
For further information www.safandarley.com