Markaryd-based Nibe, which manufactures Contura fireplaces and Premodul chimneys, has recently invested in two press brakes from SafanDarley, an E-brake Ultra E130-3100 and an E-brake Econic E40-1600, supplied by local agent Din Maskin.

“When we decided to invest in new press brakes, we wanted machines that would provide stability in the manufacturing process, give consistent results and allow us to use the same tools as before,” says Patrik Ahlin, production group manager at Nibe. “ The machines also needed to be ergonomically designed, where the operator wouldn’t need to handle heavy tools. This is exactly what SafanDarley’s press brakes offered.”
Stefan Kovac, the press brake operator who was involved in test-running SafanDarley’s machines ahead of the investment, adds: “I’m delighted with the machines as they run quietly and smoothly. The tool set-up has worked well for the majority of our parts.”
According to Fredrik Carlsson, product manager for SafanDarley at Din Maskin, the servo electric press brake has low maintenance and running costs, and is quiet in operation. Since the machine does not use hydraulic oil, servicing is also minimal, and the lack of a hydraulic system means even higher precision and more consistent bending results.
Ahlin also emphasises the ‘green’ aspect, since Nibe is very active in its environmental work. The company is always trying out new ways to reduce its energy consumption and it is therefore important that its manufacturing is modern, resource-saving and efficient.
Herman Nordqvist, production engineer for welding and brake pressing, says that another important aspect was ease of set-up, since newly developed fireplace models are launched regularly and therefore new parts need to be produced.
“Here at Nibe, we work together closely in the development process to ensure we only get better,” concludes Ahlin.
For further information www.safandarley.com

With the newly developed, fully electric CNC 25 E TB MR, SchwarzeRobitec says it has created and supplied a compact tube-bending machine sporting the ‘made in Germany’ seal, to China. For the first time, Changzhou Liangxu Vehicle Accessories Co Ltd is now able to bend smaller tube diameters quickly, and as part of a fully electric process, thanks to the NxG control system.

Changzhou Liangxu Vehicle Accessories manufactures injection tubes and radiator outlet pipes for cars and trucks, and is the main supplier of tube systems for China’s third-biggest truck manufacturer. At the company’s headquarters in Changzhou, Schwarze-Robitec recently put a new CNC 25 E TB MR into operation. The delivered machine is capable of bending steel tubes with a diameter of up to 1” and a wall thickness of 0.08”, as well as stainless-steel tubes with a diameter of up to 0.8” and a wall thickness of 0.06”.
This capability means that, for smaller tube diameters, Changzhou Liangxu Vehicle Accessories is using a fully electric machine with NxG control for the first time, which offers major benefits. For example, depending on the tube system, the NxG control system enables up to 50% more output thanks to simultaneous operation of the axes. The company is thus ideally preparing itself for the rise in demand brought on by the prolonged boom in China’s automotive industry.
With the CNC 25 E TB MR, Schwarze-Robitec has developed a machine for small tubes that is available in both left/right bending versions, as well as
in a rotary variant, with the bending head capable of rotating 180°. Tubes with complex geometries can thus be bent in one process step.
For further information www.schwarze-robitec.com

NSK ball screws from the HTF (High Tough) series are helping press brake manufacturers switch from conventional hydraulic drives, to electric drive systems, which offer a number of notable benefits. The ball screws are being delivered to NSK customer Sangalli Servomotori, which is using the units in combination with its brushless servomotors to supply a complete system solution to a global manufacturer of electric press brakes.

When Sangalli Servomotori, located in Italy, was first approached by the press brake manufacturer for its latest range of electric-driven machines, the company knew it had the motor technology, but had to source a suitable supplier of ball screws.
For many years the company had been using NSK bearings in its motor production operations and, impressed with their performance and quality, made an enquiry to NSK about the ball screws in its linear product range.
NSK´s team of experts assessed the application and recommended the company´s HTF series of high-load ball screws. The size of the balls and their special design configuration, along with the material used, are among the principal differentiators in favour of HTF ball screws.
A 63 mm diameter HTF unit was selected to offer a press force of 20 tonnes. Together with a Sangalli servomotor, the ball screw formed the basis for a prototype that was successfully trialled on a customer press brake. In fact, for applications demanding 60 tonnes of press force, an electric system featuring two HFT ball screws has also been developed.
Such has proved the success of the project that NSK has already received its first production orders and Sangalli has started volume production. Importantly, the single-source solution from Sangalli can be applied to the press brakes of any manufacturer, as well as to presses.
For further information www.nskeurope.com

Frank Klingemann has taken over management of the Industry division at Schuler. He is now responsible, among other things, for fully automated mechanical ‘ProgDie’ and transfer presses, which are mainly used in the automotive and supplier industries, blanking lines, systems for the production of electrical motor laminations, and coin-minting presses.

The graduate engineer has 30 years of experience in the industry, which he gained in various managing positions at robot manufacturer Kuka. Most recently, he was head of the Robotic Automation Business Unit at HLS Engineering Group GmbH in Augsburg. At Schuler, he is based in Weingarten.
For further information www.schulergroup.com

On 3-5 March 2020, Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre in France will become the focal point for the global composites industry with over 1300 exhibitors demonstrating the latest engineering and technological innovations at JEC World.

At this year’s international composites trade show, CGTech, developer of Vericut independent CNC simulation and optimisation software, will be hosting its Composite Manufacturing Symposium. The symposium sessions will take place in Room 513 on the first day of the show at 10:30-12:00, with a free buffet lunch until 13:00. It will then be repeated in the afternoon from 13:00 to 14:30.
For further information www.cgtech.co.uk