LVD says it has been awarded an order from Japanese technology company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), via sales agent Itochu Machine-Technos Corp, for its Synchro-Form adaptive bending technology.

The KHI order is for a custom-built, 1000-ton class of Synchro-Form press brake equipped with special tooling to produce large panels for commercial aircraft fuselage structures. Forming such large components to a desired contour is a challenging task and one that will be simplified with Synchro-Form, which maintains angular consistency and the required geometric profile, says LVD. The machine also enables in-process automatic quality control when handling, positioning and bending large parts with multiple bends.
KHI is a key production partner for the Boeing 777X, the successor to Boeing’s popular 777 aircraft. Boeing says that the 777X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world.
LVD’s Synchro-Form press brake meets the tight tolerance requirements demanded of the KHI application and the need for complete automation. The order was awarded to LVD after several bending trials where strict accuracy measurements were satisfied. LVD says that the Synchro-Form press brake will be manufactured at its production facility in Belgium.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Mate has expanded its press-brake tooling line with the introduction of American Precision Style tools featuring the new patent-pending Maglock magnetic safety system. Compatible with press-brake laser and optical safety systems, this full line of punches and dies is designed for press brakes configured with American-style holders and available in lengths from ½” to 18”.

Maglock uses rare-earth magnets to attach and seat the punch to the holder with no separation between the surfaces. The magnets are specifically and proportionally added along the punch shoulder so that the ‘up force’ of the magnet is localised and directed at the contact surface of the punch holder.
Safe and reliable, installation of a Maglock punch always results in the shoulder seating on to the holder, says Mate. The strong yet balanced Maglock connection is also said to simplify lateral (left or right) position adjustments. Once the punches are seated in the desired position, the holder clamping system must be engaged. Maglock does not claim to be and is not intended to be a replacement for the holder clamping system.
Unlike punches with mechanical designs (buttons, springs or pins) that become unsafe to use if the mechanism is damaged or missing, Maglock’s non-mechanical concept works safely all the time. Mate punches with Maglock offer additional safety if electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power to the brake is cut off or damaged. In lengths over 4”, the design includes a lever to facilitate punch removal.
The reversible/symmetrical punch tang design enables the punch to be installed facing forward or backward.
For further information www.mate.com

Continuing investment in versatile all-electric tube bending machinery from UK-based Unison is boosting operations at tube and pipe fabrication specialist, Sharpe Products of Wisconsin, US. Sharpe recently invested in its 7th Unison tube bender to give the company an edge in meeting the ever-changing demands of the tube- and pipe-jobbing business.

Most customers no longer want to invest in stock, and batch sizes have reduced dramatically. These trends mean that machine set-up times become a major factor in job pricing. Any scrap generated during set-up – which can often run into several pieces when using older hydraulically-actuated bending machines – also negatively impacts job costs.
The first Unison machine bought by Sharpe Products was the Breeze 3” tube bender, and since that moment, the company has been a loyal Unison customer. Sharpe’s latest purchase is a Breeze 3” multi-stack, CNC-controlled, three-axis pipe-bending machine with a capacity of up to 3” or 80 mm diameter tubes. This machine has the ability to hold several tools for multi-radius parts or reduce tool changeover times, and is fitted with high torque servomotors to accommodate challenging materials. Also featured is a swing-away wiper-die servo axis to enable short, final straight part designs to be manufactured without post-bend trimming operations.
“Unison’s pipe benders are extremely reliable machines with innovative control technology and robust mechanical designs that help us to continually meet the demands of our customers,” says Paul Krickeberg, president at Sharpe Products. “On top of the great machines, they have great people providing great service and support. Unison offers the complete package.”
For further information www.unisonltd.com