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

When Daniel Twigden got the call to create his own class at the Manteca Adult School in Manteca, California, he organised one of the few chopper building classes in the country to his knowledge.

“We teach you how to build rigid frame choppers, like a 1948 Panhead, and other traditional style motorcycle frames,” says Twigden.

A passionate metalworker, Twigden says that passing along his knowledge gives him true fulfilment in his industry. And the skills he shares provides his students with a chance to learn a metalworking craft that brings both joy and potentially income down the road.

In the shop at Manteca, visitors will see a range of Baileigh Industrial machines contributing to the learning environment.
“As a class, Baileigh tools enables us to expedite the process,” says Twigden. “You can do all of these same tasks by hand with hand tools or tools that aren’t set up for volume manufacturing. So, having these big tools just enables me to teach what would take weeks, in days, and what would take months, in weeks. Really, it’s invaluable as a teacher to have these tools.
Specifically, Twigden calls his Baileigh RDB-175 tube bender the backbone of the chopper class, with its ability to cut all of the tube bending down from a week or so to just a few lessons.

The Manteca shops also feature an SH-12010 sheet metal shear, SR-5016 slip roll, HSP-66M-HD hydraulic press, and an BB-9610H heavy-duty hydraulic box and pan (finger) brake.

“Across all the campuses here at Manteca Unified School District, we’ve found Baileigh is one of the most reliable tools out there,” concludes Twigden.

For further information
www.baileigh.com