When specifying a press brake there are a number of features and options to consider that make the machine easier to use and more productive. According to Morgan Rushworth, these include: height-adjustable control panel arm; AKAS laser tooling guards; CNC sheet follower support arms; and hydraulic tool clamping.

All press brake operators are not born equal. For those tired of stooping down or standing on a pallet to use the press brake control, the ergonomic height-adjustable control arm from Morgan Rushworth could be the answer. This is available as an option on all press brakes although is also fitted as standard on several models.

The AKAS laser tooling guards offer a vastly improved user experience when compared with traditional light guards. As the AKAS system guards the top tool only, rather than the whole working area, the operator can hold the workpiece during the beam’s rapid descent stage rather than having to wait until reaching the mute position. This capability allows the easy positioning of smaller components against the back gauge, without compromising safety.

When working with light gauge material, larger parts will tend to fold down under their own weight, making handling more difficult. While it is possible to slow the bending and ram return speeds to make this operation easier, another option is to specify a CNC-powered sheet follower support arm. As the name implies the support arm will lift up and down during bending ensuring continual support for the part.

For workshops where a lot of tool changes are required, hydraulic tool clamping can greatly increase efficiency. Available for either top and bottom tools – or both – and with different clamp designs, hydraulic tool clamping will make frequent tool changes a quick and simple task.
For further information www.morganrushworth.com

Platinum Stairlifts of Keighley has taken delivery of a second all-electric 90 mm (maximum tube diameter) Unison Breeze tube bending machine. The purchase corresponds with Platinum’s move to a new multi-million-pound, purpose-built manufacturing facility in the town, and underpins the company’s faith in the quality, reliability and repeatability of Unison’s British-built tube manipulation technologies.

Stairlift company Platinum invested in its first all-electric Breeze tube bender from Unison in 2015, the same year as it launched its flagship ‘Ultimate’ stairlift.

“We fully appreciated that in order to create an industry-leading, single-tube stairlift we would need to invest in advanced, all-electric tube bending machinery,” says Matthew Turton, production engineer at Platinum Stairlift. “At that time, we were using a hydraulic tube bending machine which, although absolutely fine for forming the rails for our twin-tube stairlifts, lacked the capability to bend the highly complex angles required for a premium single-tube model.

“Having considered the tube bending machines and levels of support offered by a number of manufacturers, we went ahead and ordered our first Unison Breeze machine,” he continues. “A 90 mm multi-stack model, the all-electric Breeze quickly demonstrated its ability to bend tube accurately for even the most challenging of designs, such as complex spiral and multi-flight staircases. In fact, through a combination of twist and draw bending, using Unison-supplied precision tubing, I have yet to see a staircase angle that the Breeze machine has been unable to achieve.”

Installed earlier this month, Platinum’s second 90 mm all-electric Unison Breeze machine will further enhance the company’s ability to produce its Ultimate single tube stairlift in greater volumes.
For further information www.unisonltd.com

Gloucester-based Safran Landing Systems OE (Original Equipment), part of the global Safran group, has taken delivery of two new all-electric Breeze CNC tube bending machines from Unison Ltd. The Unison Breeze machines (16 and 30 mm maximum tube diameter models) will be used to bend thin-wall section titanium tube for the manufacture of 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) to 3/4-inch (19 mm) diameter hydraulic brake and actuator pipes for commercial aircraft undercarriage systems, including those used on Airbus A320, A330 and A340 models. They replace two hydraulically operated tube bending machines that have been in use at Safran for a number of years.

“Realising it was time to renew our tube bending capabilities, as part of our ongoing risk analysis activities – and necessitated by significantly increased manufacturing requirements – we approached a number of tube bending machinery manufacturers to discuss the various options available to us,” says Safran assembly flow line manager Jonathan Crewe.

To enable the Safran team to experience first-hand the capabilities of its all-electric range of Breeze tube bending machines, Unison arranged for the company to visit an existing customer’s facility in Farnborough and observe titanium tube being bent. On the strength of the visit and the testimony provided by that customer, trial parts were produced at Unison’s UK-based manufacturing centre. The order was subsequently placed, and master pipe samples were supplied to Unison in readiness for machine set-up and sign-off.

“We benefited from excellent support and advice at every stage of the process,” adds Jonathan Crewe. “We were particularly impressed by the effort Unison put into training, ensuring that our operators were fully familiar with the Unibend operating system and could confidently bend thin-wall titanium components, all with precisely controlled levels of spring-back to compensate for the material’s high yield strength.”

For further information
www.unisonltd.com

When it comes to buying a CNC folding machine there are lots of things to think about. Bulldog Industrial is therefore offering some helpful tips to help smooth the process.

Firstly, there are many different types of CNC folding machines, which can lead to a lot of confusion when trying to decide what type of machine would be the best. For example, if seeking a hobbyist-type machine for smaller projects, an entry-level CNC folder will likely suffice.

If, on the other hand, the intention is to produce large quantities of products in high volume, a professional-grade machine will be necessary.
It is also important to think about whether the machine has to be portable or stationary. Finally, consider what type of software it comes with. Luckily, there are many different types of software for use with a CNC folder. The type of software ultimately depends on needs. If seeking software for a general purpose CNC machine, it might make sense to choose a folder that has many options available. Take into account the budget how often program changes will be required.

When buying a CNC folding machine, it is important to purchase one that is certified. Look for a manufacturer that will put a seal on the machine, and make sure the folder is ready to go right out of the box. Furthermore, verify that the machine has been tested by an independent third party.

Another tip is to find out how many hours have been clocked on the machine before it was sold. This ensures that the machine is new and has not been sitting around for long periods of time without use. The more hours spent on a machine, the more risk there is of something going wrong.

For further information
www.bulldog-uk.com

Sudbury-based Daro Manufacturing Services, part of Daro Group, has recently installed its second Amada HFE3i press brake. Daro Manufacturing Service’s robust British design, development, fabrication and product assembly services are based on strong foundations of many decades of expertise. Being part of Daro Group, the company benefits from the wider support of the group’s central resources, such as strategic planning, sales and marketing, financial planning and management, and ongoing investment. So, when it came to updating its fabrication facilities, Daro knew what it needed and turned to Amada.

In 2018, the company installed a heavy tonnage Amada HFE3i-1703 eight-axis press brake. However, continued growth meant that extra capacity was needed to keep up with demand; again Amada was the first port of call.

“This is the second investment that Daro has made with Amada,” says head of sales Stuart Clarke. “Our first purchase was a 170 tonne, 3 m press brake to expand our heavy fabrication. Basing our decision on Amada’s reputation and the product’s attributes of durability and reliability has proven to be sound. Therefore, when it came to replacing the press brake for our lighter gauge sheet metal facility, we knew we were in good hands.

“Adding additional Amada plant gives us greater efficiencies and flexibility with staffing,” he adds. “The CNC control and quick-release clamping feature has not only helped us to achieve faster and more cost-effective production methods, it also reflects our commitment to continuous improvement.”

For further information
www.amada.eu