Forming on the modern punch press

According to Mate Tooling, forming on a modern punch press makes these machines the Swiss army knife of metal fabrication.

Today’s punch presses can mark, deburr and form. And when it comes to forming, there are opportunities aplenty.
Automated punch presses have been punching holes in sheet metal for more than 60 years.
However, with their stroke control and the availability of adjustable length punch holders, CNC punch presses are also being used as mini press brakes. Many types of forms are being produced in parts before they come off the turret or rail-type punch machine.
Countersinks and small embosses are among the basic forming tools being used in CNC punch-press machines to reduce or eliminate secondary operations. Lance and forms (tabs, bridges, knockouts, cable ties) and extrusions are among the advanced class of forms being produced on punching machines today. More complex forming tools include those that produce louvres, continuous embosses and hinges.
Forming tools add value by eliminating secondary operations such as forming, welding and installing fasteners. However, the press brake is not going anywhere. Space between the punch and die will always limit what can be formed on the punch press, at least for the foreseeable future, says Mate. However, if a part needs shallow forms like an embossment, a short flange or even a hinge, chances are those forms can be made right on the punch press machine bed, with no secondary operations required.
For further information www.mate.com

Wire bender features twin heads

BLM Group is consolidating its presence in the wire-bending market with a new twin-head system.

The DH4010VGP is an all-electric machine with two independent heads that is capable of bending wires up to 10 mm in diameter, along with bars, flat rods and tubes. The twin-head design makes the system suitable for medium to long parts with many bends, particularly when high planarity is required.
According to BLM, the two bending heads can work independently to make asymmetric parts. Each head is provided with a twin bending turret that increases system flexibility with regard to the achievable bend types.
The DH4010VGP can perform flexion bending (bending using a standard bushing) on each of the two turrets, pressure die bending for minimum radii, edge bending, variable radius bending, and strike bending on the same part. Moreover, the bending heads can move very near each other to make exceptionally close bends.
Higher system productivity is said to be facilitated via optimised dynamics and process cycles. For instance, the wire-cutting and end-forming unit is fitted on a carriage having linear movement independent of the heads. This design contributes to an increase in productivity of approximately 30% in comparison with previous-generation systems.
The DH4010VGP makes use of existing VGP3D programming and control software, with a 3D graphic interface.
For further information www.blmgroup.com

LVD releases latest bending technology

At EuroBLECH (Hanover, 23-26 October), LVD will be placing focus on flexible automation solutions and cell manufacturing for increased production efficiency. At Hall 12, Stand F104, visitors will see how LVD’s Industry 4.0-ready bending, laser cutting, punching and software technology make for an easy and smooth transformation to a more competitive workshop.

The company will give a world premiere to its ToolCell XT automated tool-changing press brake with extended tool storage. The ToolCell XT has been developed in response to having even more flexibility to tackle small batches, high part mixes and increased component complexity in a wider variety of materials and thicknesses.
LVD will also give a world premiere to its Dyna-Cell, which the company says takes electric press-brake automation to a new level for the high-speed bending of small-to-medium parts. Based on the company’s existing Dyna-Press, LVD’s latest compact robotised bending solution delivers faster art-to-part times, rapid changeovers, increased throughput and lower cost per part, says the company.
Another machine on the stand will be the LVD Easy-Form 80/25 ‘smart’ press brake. Equipped with the Easy-Form Laser in-process angle monitoring and correction system, this press brake adapts in real-time the ram position to ensure the desired angle from the first bending operation. The bending process is not interrupted and no production time is lost.
From a software perspective, LVD will show its CADMAN suite, the company’s answer to full process integration and optimised process flow. CADMAN looks at the big picture and helps streamline the complete fabrication process – from production control, communication, planning and management, through to punching, bending and laser cutting – via integrated, database-driven software.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

MTI reports successful UMEX show

The UMEX used machinery exhibition proved a roaring success in New Delhi, India, at the end of August.

Some 304 exhibitors and 8422 visitors from nine countries attended the Pragati Maidan venue, with many seeking out deals on
pre-owned machine tools and manufacturing equipment. The show once again proved it can provide unparalleled opportunities for those in the used machinery sector.
The MTI pavilion (MTI is the co-organiser of UMEX) was a hive of activity. The friendly MTI team were kept busy the whole show, handing out copies of the exhibition issue to passing visitors, and hosting enquiries on the stand about both the magazine and the company’s industry leading website for used machinery sales, machinespotter.com. High levels of enquiries were taken, with many sales expected to be concluded in the coming weeks.
For further information www.umexonline.com

€1bn BMW plant

BMW continues to expand its production network in Europe, with a new facility to be built in Hungary, close to the town of Debrecen.

The plant will come at an investment of approximately €1bn, and offer capacity of up to 150,000 units a year and create over 1000 new jobs.
“The BMW Group’s decision to build this new plant reaffirms our perspective for global growth,” says Harald Krüger, chairman of the BMW AG Board of Management. “After significant investments in China, Mexico and the US, we are now strengthening our activities in Europe to maintain a worldwide balance of production between Asia, America and our home continent. Europe is the BMW Group’s largest production location. In 2018 alone we are investing more than €1bn in our German sites to upgrade and prepare them for electric mobility.”
For further information www.bmwgroup.com