According to BLM Adige, the main advantages of an all-electric tube bending machine include production flexibility, repeatability, production rate, quality, the absence of transition periods and lower energy consumption.

In terms of production flexibility, an all-electric tube bending machine eliminates the manual adjustments usually necessary on other types of tube bending machines, such as adjustment of the clamp die, pressure die and mandrel position, or of the clamp die pressure on the tube.

For the manufacturer, the most important factor in tube bending is repeatability; that is the degree of consistency among the measurements of the part across the entire batch. An electric tube bending machine can record the axis co-ordinates and tube bending parameters, recalling them at any moment.

Another benefit is speed. An all-electric tube bending machine’s movement is controlled by a CNC axis, tapping into the full potential of the machine’s programming software. As a result, the release movements from the tube can be smoother and faster.
With regard to quality, an all-electric tube bender can modulate the force exerted by the various electrical axes in-process depending on the tube being bent. Both for thin or thick tubes, ductile or hard material, this type of tube bending machine can properly manage the force exerted, modifying it as needed in-process to improve quality.

Furthermore, electric tube bending machines do not have hydraulic oil to heat up and their electric drivers have the same behaviour regardless of temperature or thermal shocks. So, there are no ‘transition periods’, defined as time intervals in which the machine working conditions change.

Last but not least, to save operational costs, electric bending machines only consume energy when needed, resulting in considerable savings for the manufacturer.

For further information
www.blmgroup.com

Selmach’s range of Morgan Rushworth horizontal bending press machinery (HBM) comes in a wide range of tonnage, from 10 to 100 tonnes. With their compact size and simple controls, these machines are capable of performing a variety of bending applications. In fact, with specialist tooling they can be adapted to a wide range of tasks.

As the name implies, the first and foremost usage of HBM is for bending and forming brackets and cleats. The standard tooling on the machine allows for a wide variety of angles. Selmach can supply an assortment of different radius punches, Vs and multi-Vs to suit requirements.

Beyond bending and forming, HBM can perform a number of other useful roles. For instance, many times a fabrication shop will need to straighten material, such as when a workpiece bows after punching holes on a steelworker. With the stroke and return set correctly, users can rectify any bowing and get the workpiece back to a usable condition. It is possible to use standard tooling options or a separate bar straightening tool if bowing is a regular occurrence.

Another tooling option available is a pipe bending attachment. While not a substitute for a dedicated tube bending machine, if shops have the occasional need for bending pipe, this attachment could be perfect. It does not use extra floor space that another machine would consume, and is much cheaper.

Given the versatility of these machines, specialist and one-off tooling can be manufactured if a shop has a particular need. Whether it is for forming a complex part, prototyping, or replacing an existing manual process, Selmach may be able to help.

For further information
www.selmach.com

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