Press Brake Buyer's Guide launches a new website.

Press Brake Buyer’s Guide has recently launched a brand new website that presents users with more information about industry leading press brake manufacturers, hundreds of the latest machine models, industry news, product highlights and videos, safety and performance technology and much more. New buying tools have also been introduced to help users research and find their next new machine.

Press Brake Finder

The new Press Brake Finder is a handy tool that lets users search from hundreds of new press brake models. Currently there are over 600 models listed from more than twenty market leading press brake manufacturers. More new models are being added over the next few months following the launch of new machines during the EuroBLECH exhibition that was held in Hannover, Germany last month as well as new additions that will be introduced to the market at FABTECH in Atlanta this November.

Through the Press Brake Finder, users can start with a simple search by selecting their region and choosing one or more machine types from hydraulic, hybrid or electric as well as basic specifications including the machine bending length and pressing force.

Using the advanced search option, or filtering search results following a simple search, enables users to enter additional machine specifications such as the distance between the side frames, the ram opening and maximum ram stroke.

Selecting the frame type lets users view machines with a tradition C-frame design where the required throat depth can be specified, or select to view non-C-frame designs including machines with O-frames such as the Prima Power eP-Series electric press brakes or TRUMPF TruBend 3000 Series hybrid models.

Minimum and maximum ram speeds can also be specified including the rapid approach speed, forming speed and return speed. Additional search filters include the country or origin as well as technology options.

Save and compare

The new save feature allows users to save press brake models to their Favourites page. The website remembers your device and your saved Favourites will be available next time you return so there is no need to register your personal details or login. Use the comparison feature to add any number of models to view and compare a full list of machine specifications. Users can also export and download their comparison list to PDF. Any models added to the comparison page are also saved automatically for the next visit.

Enquire with the manufacturer

Once you find the models that you are interested in, you can simply fill in the enquiry form linked to each machine model to request more information or pricing and your message will be sent directly to the press brake manufacturer.

Press Brake Showroom

The new Press Brake Showroom features dedicated profile pages for each of our manufacturing partners where you can learn more about the company and the latest press brake offerings. Click on a machine series to discover more information plus view image galleries and product videos. The Showroom pages also present the latest news and press releases from each manufacturer plus upcoming events and a live Twitter feed.

Technology Highlights

The new technology section presents more information and videos on the embedded technologies that enhance press brake safety, productivity and performance. Two of the key press brake technologies that will be on display at FABTECH include BendVision and RapidBend Ultimate.

BendVision takes a unique approach to press brake angle measurement and angle control through advanced image processing technology that delivers greater flexibility and accuracy for machine manufacturers and users.

The technology behind BendVision image processing is incorporated into the hardware of the press brake safety guarding system that needs to be fitted to every press brake by the manufacturer anyway to meet certification and safety standards compliance.

The guarding system uses camera technology for optical monitoring of the punch and detection of foreign objects inside the space between the tools during machine operation. When the press brake is in the fast closing portion of the cycle, the camera system is providing the safety function, however once the punch contacts the material surface to start the bending sequence, the optical protection is no longer active. From this point onwards, the camera is sitting idle until the start of the next machine cycle.

BendVision takes advantage of this idle time by switching the camera function to active image processing where images are constantly taken from the end-view of the machine and processed in real-time. By integrating with the existing guarding hardware, the process eliminates the requirement for additional components, sensors and mounting hardware that are normally dedicated only for the angle measuring functions. For press brake manufacturers, this combination method is the most efficient and cost effective method of incorporating technology that is capable of generating real-time angle data during the bending process.

BendVision analyses processed images of the material and tools during the bending process and by capturing the material limb information, BendVision determines the inside and outside angles of the part - where both sides are open. From this, the angle of the bend can be accurately determined, taking into account any measured variations in machine deflection.

Real-time angle information is the key to more flexible and powerful angle control solutions.

If only static angle measurements are taken, then the press brake bending process needs to be paused while measurements are taken. The measured static angle information is then processed by the CNC or thirdparty software in order to calculate a bend angle correction. In some cases, it may be necessary to pause and take several measurements and calculate multiple corrections per bending cycle. Of course, this creates delays that, in high-volume processing, can slow down part production.

However, if the CNC can receive the angle of the work piece measured in real-time, then this opens up a wide range of possibilities. Firstly, having the actual angle at the time of bending, instead of measuring after the part is already formed, means that the CNC can determine when to stop bending in order to prevent a part being over bent and possibly having to be discarded. An under bent angle is fine since a correction and re-hit can be made to continue bending to the required angle.

The benefit of real-time angle information is that it can be used to control bending depth rather than the CNC having to calculate the depth based on the tooling set-up, material type, spring-back properties, material thickness and the programmed angle. Through the use of BendVision, angle control processes have been developed by press brake manufacturers and implemented in many different forms to provide machine operators with greater accuracy and consistency from one part to the next.

RapidBend Ultimate is another embedded technology that enables press brake manufacturers to configure their machines with a faster approach speed and drastically reduce the cycle time spent in slow speed by setting the speed change point as low as 0mm. The technology is incorporated into the optical protection system and employs a high-speed progressive muting process that combines safety and performance. The optical protection function remains active for the entire stroke until the upper tool has reached the pinch point and this enables the machine to remain in high-speed for a longer duration. The start of deceleration occurs when the punch is just above the sheet and the ram transitions to forming speed at the pinch point, effectively eliminating slow speed movement prior to bending.

RapidBend Ultimate technology is active during the processing of both flat profile parts as well as box profile parts that have side flanges on either the front or rear side as well as parts with dual flanges. The part profile and flange dimensions are automatically compared from information from the CNC bend program and optically verified with the physical work piece. This ensures that optimal safety is maintained so that the press brake can continue to operate with the highest possible level of performance.

BendVision and RapidBend Ultimate technologies will be featured on press brakes throughout FABTECH and live interactive demonstrations will also be presented at booth B9345.

Latest issues and industry news

Users can browse the latest issues of the Press Brake Buyer’s Guide magazine either online or download and save to your device.

You can also view and download all the past issues. If you’d like to be notified when future issues are published, then you can simply click on the registration link at the top of the page to enter your email address. New issues are published online periodically and our exhibition special editions are published to coincide with major international shows such as FABTECH, EuroBLECH, LAMIERA and Blechexpo. The news feed includes articles and press releases from our partners with industry news, new product launches and upcoming events.

During FABTECH, we will have interactive Press Brake Buyer’s Guide kiosks at booth B9345 where visitors can try out the new Press Brake Finder and pick-up a free copy of our FABTECH issue.

www.pressbrakebuyersguide.com