Amada launches EGBe series electric press brake

Amada has introduced the EGBe series, a fully electric, intelligent, functional and high-performance bending machine that aims to transform manual bending. Cited as the easiest machine to operate on the market, the EGB-ATCe evolves upon the existing automated tool changer employed by the HG-ATC and HRB-ATC. According to Amada, the machine is extremely productive with high part output, even by less experienced operators.

The EGB-ATCe is packed with the latest technology to aid operators, ensure accuracy and protect the environment. This includes a new servo-drive and electric crowning system, a new triple back-gauge with AR technology, voice control, and an evolution of Amada’s bending indicator technology.

Amada’s latest AMNC 4ie numerical control centralises and integrates the management of all the new features to achieve high productivity and the highest performance available on the market, reports the company. Additionally, services such as tablet HMI and fully automatic offline programming are all integrated, reducing unproductive times and supporting the operator, who just has to manipulate the part to bend.

Amada developed the VPSS 4ie BEND offline programming suite to create the bending program automatically based on the correct unfolded part. This capability allows the operator to process it without the need for any manual adjustment, which is autonomously managed by the machine itself through the new and faster Bi-SII bending indicator.

The bending indicator takes care to compensate for the position of the upper and lower beams, achieving high bending linearity. The resulting angle is displayed on the tablet HMI, which is always positioned in front of the operator, enabling them to immediately confirm the accuracy of the part without wasting time with the manual inspection.

More information www.amada.eu

RAS to showcase premiere at Blechexpo 2025

RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau says visitors toBlechexpo 2025 in Stuttgart next month (21-24 October) will be among the first to experience the new XLTbend-2, which the company describes as the next level in automated bending. The machine is available as a stand-alone high-performance machine or fully integrated with intelligent robot automation.

Key highlights of the new XLTbend-2 include extended manipulator capabilities for production flexibility, modern safety features to ensure secure operation, energy-efficient IE5 servo drives, increased bending stroke, and seamless integration into existing production environments thanks to clearly defined interfaces and the RAS LUNA automation solution.

According to RAS, the XLTbend-2 sets new benchmarks when producing production parts like boxes, panels and complex precision components. Visitors to Blechexpo 2025 will find the machine on Booth 1604 in Hall 1.

In other developments from RAS, the company says its established TURBO2plus now has a compact successor. The new TURBO2plus Compact replaces the previous standard model. It offers the same technical performance in a significantly smaller footprint, making suitable for use by small businesses, sheet metal shops and space-constrained workshops.

Whether for roof and façade profiles, advertising panels or enclosures, RAS says the new machine takes bending to the next level. The intelligent Bendex software automatically programs parts, evaluates alternative bending strategies and visualises the entire bending sequence in 3D.

Thanks to its reduced overall height, the TURBO2plus Compact can be integrated flexibly into a wide range of production environments. It is especially suited to workshops that need to operate efficiently and powerfully despite limited space.

More information www.ras-online.de/en

RK and Haco launch OptiForm CNC press brake

RK International Machine Tools is continuing its partnership with Belgian sheet metal machinery manufacturer Haco by introducing the Haco OptiForm 30150 CNC press brake to the UK market. The company says this collaboration brings a new generation of high-performance, cost-effective bending technology to British manufacturers, combining European engineering with local support and service.

The OptiForm Series (OPF), launched in 2025, is Haco’s reimagining of the entry-level CNC press brake. Designed for efficiency, ergonomics and fast delivery, the OptiForm 30150 (3 m, 150 T) is suitable for workshops upgrading from manual brakes or expanding capacity. It offers a compact footprint with a rigid frame, as well as the Haco EasyBEND multi-touch CNC – a PC-based 2D graphical control for intuitive operation.

Two configurations are available: a standard version with a two-axis back-gauge featuring manual crowning; and a ‘+’ version with four-axis back-gauge (X, R, Z1, Z2) featuring CNC crowning.

The Haco OptiForm is manufactured in the EU, which means UK manufacturers benefit from shorter lead times, budget-friendly pricing and full UK-based support from RK International, including installation, training and aftersales service.

“The OptiForm is a smart, future-ready solution for fabricators who want to modernise without overinvesting,” says Bart Huys, global sales manager at Haco. “We’ve combined the simplicity of our SynchroMaster with a modern design and intuitive control, making it perfect for the UK market where flexibility, reliability and value are key.”

More information www.rk-int.com

RAS presents automated bending centre

At the EuroBLECH in Hanover towards the end of 2024, RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau presented its MiniBendCenter 2, a fully automated solution for the precise single and series production of bent parts. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, RAS says the MiniBendCenter 2 sets new standards in flexibility, speed and precision.

The MiniBendCenter 2 is specifically designed for small parts. It combines robotics with a dedicated software solution to achieve high levels of flexibility and efficiency. Notably, MiniBend-Office software and the integrated robot for fully automated loading and unloading make the system suitable for 24/7 operation.

MiniBend-Office software is a standalone solution that replaces previously used CAM software and SolidWorks. Through a partnership with Euclid, the flexibility of the software is significantly enhanced, allowing for fully integrated control. Thanks to the MiniBend-Office software, only one software solution is now required, which handles both programming and simulation, uniting the entire process on a single platform. This reduces complexity, increases efficiency, and simplifies operation.

The intelligent robotic system of the MiniBendCenter 2 handles both loading and unloading. A vacuum suction unit features four individually controllable suction cups, enabling efficient handling of parts from stacks or bulk material. The finished bent parts are stacked in a space-saving and stable manner, whilethe pallet change can take place safely and seamlessly during operation. Thanks to the robot’s seamless integration into the software, additional teaching is not required.

MiniBendCenter 2 enables the processing of sheets up to 600 x 600 mm, and a material thickness of up to 3 mm in steel. Due to the automatic bending technology in both directions, no turning of parts is required, avoiding unnecessary movements and reducing processing time.

More information www.ras-online.de/en/

US award for Ermaksan hybrid press brake

Türkiye-based press brake manufacturer Ermaksan says that its EVO III hybrid press brake has been honoured with the 2024 Good Design Award in the USA.The recognition highlights Ermaksan’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence in industrial design.

According to Ermaksan, the EVO III stands out for its hybrid technology, offering higher energy efficiency, precision and eco-friendly operation compared with conventional press brakes. Utilising a servo-electric system, the press brake reduces energy consumption while enhancing performance, making it a real asset for the sheet metal industry.

The EVO III hybrid press brake, a CNC-controlled six-axis machine, combines precision bending with silent operation and low energy consumption. Beyond its functionality, the machine strikes a balance between ergonomics, aesthetics and efficiency. It provides operators with an enhanced user experience while embodying social responsibility through environmentally friendly production practices. Ermaksan says the EVO III hybrid press brake represents the company’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing without compromising performance.

“Receiving the Good Design Award is a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of industrial innovation,” says Ahmet Özkayan, general manager of Ermaksan.“The EVO III hybrid press brake embodies our vision for the future of manufacturing – one that’s efficient, sustainable and technologically advanced.” 

The Good Design Award, founded in 1950 by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, is a global design award that recognises outstanding achievements in product design, architecture and engineering. Ermaksan says its win places the company among the world’s most forward-thinking innovators.

More information www.ermaksan.com.tr