FEATURE ON BENDING & FORMING

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

Latest tube benders at Southern Manufacturing

At the Southern Manufacturing exhibition in Farnborough earlier this month, Unison presented the capabilities of its full range of all-electric and hybrid-electric tube bending machines, along with technologies from the wider Unison family.

Unison offers all-electric benders for tube diameters from 4 to 275 mm.Available in single-stack, multi-stack, left/right, pinball and twin-head versions, the machines provide rapid, automatic set-up, fast tooling changes and right-first-time repeatability.

Unison’s hybrid-electric, dual-stack machines were developed to make the company’s quality and reliability accessible to even more businesses involved in tube manipulation. 50 mm and 80 mm maximum tube diameter hybrid models are available.

On show and operational at Southern Manufacturingwas one of Unison’s EvBend 1000 manually operated, CNC-controlled tube bending machines.Designed for low-volume, high-accuracy production and prototyping, Unison says that its EvBend models are used across aerospace and MRO, Formula 1, and the oil and gas industry, where they provide three-axis mandrel, multi-plane bending at a fraction of the cost of fully automated machines.

In addition to the EvBend 1000, which is designed for bending tube of up to 16 mm in diameter (22 mm in copper), a larger machine, the EvBend 2000, is also available.Built to bend tube of up to 50 mm in diameter, its bending function is servo-assisted. Both EvBend machines feature a 15-inch PC-based touchscreen controlled by a CNC that is capable of processing up to 100 bends per component, storing infinite parts and connecting to both CAD and most tube measuring systems.

More information www.unisonltd.com

SafanDarley E-Brake 35T Mini Cell at Stetec

At Stetec in Maarheeze, innovation is key. Exemplifying this notion, the company recently invested in a SafanDarley E-Brake 35T Mini Cell with E-Bend Check, taking a major step forward in its production automation. The Mini Cell helps Stetec work more efficiently and accurately, while E-Bend Checkensures every bending angle is measured and automatically corrected.

“At Stetec, we specialise in precision sheet metal fabrication, meaning we produce sheet metal components for technically advanced companies,” explains manufacturing engineer Rick Zalm.“Within the company, we handle both small and medium series production parts, in a wide variety of types and sizes. We therefore need machines that can produce all kinds of products, utilising different tools and technologies.”

He continues: “We saw the latest robotics and technologies of SafanDarley at a trade show. The Mini Cell aligned perfectly with the production methods that we want to apply.”

Stetec already has five SafanDarley press brakes in operation on the company’s modern production lines, so the Mini Cell felt like a familiar and reliable choice.

“The Mini Cell is performing exceptionally well,” states planning co-ordinator Daan Zalm. “I’ve noticed that we can produce more products and work in a more optimised way. Also, we have significantly greater control compared with manual operations. This reduces the risk of human error, enabling us to deliver better and more consistent quality.”

He adds: “After the SafanDarley Mini Cell performs a bend, we can check it with E-Bend Check to verify the angles and make automatic compensation adjustments as necessary. The result? We always deliver high-quality products to our customers. Moreover, we can run the Mini Cell unmanned in the evenings, which leads to higher output.”

More information www.safandarley.com