LVD has introduced Ricobb, a collaborative robot (cobot) bending system that integrates with any LVD press brake installed since 2001. Developed by LVD Robotic Solutions (LRS) – the company’s robotic automation division – Ricobb offers a flexible and cost-effective way for sheet metalworking companies to boost bending productivity, overcome labour shortages, enable lights-out manufacturing and adapt quickly to shifting production demands.  

Compact and user-friendly, Ricobb is easily moved, docked and programmed. It can be set up and commissioned in just a few days. 

Ricobb is a mobile, highly adaptable cobot, reports LVD. Deployed on a press brake, it takes over the bending of small, simple parts and it can be quickly reassigned to another machine as production needs change. When docked, Ricobb automatically identifies the press brake, so relocation is quick and easy. The cobot delivers consistent, reliable performance and operates autonomously to maximise press brake utilisation. 

The new cobot is easy to program, requiring minimal training. Its intuitive, icon-driven interface eliminates the need for advanced programming skills. Only pick, bend and regrip positions need to be taught. Ricobb learns through simple, guided instruction and automatically records and replicates the actions.

Ricobb offers sheet metalworking companies a cost-effective way to automate repetitive bending tasks. It adds capacity to existing press brakes without requiring infrastructure changes, delivering reliable, efficient performance with a fast return on investment. The cobot also offers enhanced flexibility through customisable gripper extensions tailored to specific applications. A variety of extensions can be created within the cobot’s payload limits to suit varying production needs. 

LVD Robotic Solutions (LRS) was established in 2022 following the acquisition of KUKA Solutions Benelux.

More information www.lvdroboticsolutions.com

The Pilbara, Western Australia workshop of Bennco Engineering has received a major upgrade with the arrival of a new Haco Synchromaster 40250 CNC press brake.

Bennco Engineering has built its reputation on delivering high-quality structural, mechanical and piping fabrication for the mining and resources sector. Working in such a remote region means every piece of equipment must perform flawlessly. That is why Bennco decided to invest in a new press brake that combines accuracy, consistency and easy operation.

According to Geoff Archer, general manager for Haco in Australia, the Synchromaster was the ideal fit. He explains that the machine’s design focuses on reliability and intuitive control, allowing operators to complete complex bending jobs faster and with greater precision: “It’s all about giving fabricators the confidence to push productivity without compromising on quality.”

The Synchromaster 40250 offers a bending length of 4100 mm and a pressing capacity of 2500 kN, making it a powerful workhorse for heavy-duty applications. Equipped with the EASYBEND 2D Multi Touch system, operators can program bends quickly, visualise each step in real time and let the machine automatically calculate the optimal bending sequence.

Archer highlights that the Y1/Y2 hydraulic synchro system ensures exact positioning within a tolerance of just 0.01 mm, while the CNC crowning table guarantees a straight bend every time. Combined with a fast approach speed of 130 mm per second, the press brake delivers both precision and productivity on a daily basis.

By adopting this level of technology, Bennco Engineering can now bend and fabricate more components onsite for quicker delivery to its customers across the Pilbara.

More information www.haco.com