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FORMING & FABRICATION
Press brakes – Why you need a seven-axis machine There are four common but crucial factors that dictate the potential for success and growth of every sheet metal fabrication workshop in the world: Consistency, Accuracy, Efficiency and Speed. When it comes to the press brake, the latest generation of seven-axis machines tick all four of these boxes. With the ever-present march of time and technology, and the veritable abundance of machinery and technology out there to choose from for businesses to stay ahead of the game, the difficult part these days is deciphering what is truly worth investing in and what is simply the same old tech with a new paint job. It’s so important for anyone in business to understand the difference between something that is just new, and something that is a genuine improvement on the way things have been, and the way things are currently being done. Something that provides that edge to ensure that your business is not falling behind, because in today’s day and age, falling behind could very well mean being left behind. New advancements in the development of hybrid machine tools, incorporating both servo and hydraulic-driven systems, have resulted in a wave of incredibly intelligent machinery for the sheet metal and steel fabrication sector globally. This is great news for business owners in the industry, because it is helping to counter the rising cost of freight and raw materials by reducing waste through the minimisation of errors during fabrication.
Accuracy Automation means accuracy. Of course, there is no denying the benefits and the necessity of experienced human operators who have developed their skills over decades. However, when that hands-on knowledge can be combined with the ability to automate the processes and parameters needed for the day-to-day manufacturing of your products, it is an extremely powerful advantage to have. The AccurlCMT EuroMaster series provides this advantage through the Delem CNC controller, offering complete automation of almost every aspect of the machine. Once entered into the controller, all axes are automatically adjusted to accommodate the required dimensions. Ensuring superior accuracy compared to conventional machines. For added safety, the AccurlCMT EuroMaster series comes equipped with the Australian-made laser guarding systems from Lasersafe as standard, and can also be optioned up to include automatic laser angle measurement and correction to even further increase accuracy. For additional
peace of mind, the CNC controlled, automatic crowning in the bed eliminates the bowing effect from occurring in the middle of the machine.
Efficiency A more reliable machine is a more efficient machine. Reducing downtime and energy consumption is at the forefront of machine tool technology. Being ready for Industry 4.0 is crucial for those looking to maximise production as it makes the monitoring of the machines’ operation and status far more accessible, and the servo/hydraulic hybrid generation of seven-axis press brakes allows for greatly improved energy efficiency and oil consumption. The ePrAX control hybrid system employed in the Industry 4.0-ready AccurlCMT EuroMaster series is an innovative servo drive that reduces energy consumption by up to 70%, and the brushless motor allows for precise control over the movement of the ram, resulting in using a minimum amount of oil and energy. The difference in results for energy consumption between the ePrAX system compared to a conventional 135-ton press brake is substantial.
One particular category of machinery that is benefiting from these advancements is the press brake, and the latest machines in this category mean business. The new generation of seven-axis, CNC-controlled press brakes tick all four boxes of that crucial checklist for the success and growth of sheet metal fabrication workshops.
Consistency The advanced levels of automation delivered by the new generation of seven-axis press brakes ensure that your bends are inline with set parameters, time and time again. This dramatically decreases the chance for potential human error, resulting in increased production levels and a more consistent end result on the product. For example, the Industry 4.0-ready AccurlCMT EuroMaster series – supplied in Australia by Complete Machine Tools – utilises a combination of both electric servo-motor and hydraulic drive systems throughout the range. Most notably, the servo motor-driven backstops offer previously unseen levels of reliability and performance that eliminate the need for manual intervention for repositioning of the material. Coupled with the quality of their Italian-manufactured back gauge fingers, this provides vastly superior accuracy.
AMT DEC 2021
The AccurlCMT EuroMaster series comes equipped with the Australian made laser guarding systems from Lasersafe as standard, offering added safety.
