Panel Bending Redefined

TRUMPF Inc. (Farmington, CT) introduces the new TruBend Center 5030 to the North American market, their first panel bending machine and a perfect complement to the well-established TruBend product line. With a bending length of 10 ft, the TruBend Center 5030 is a thin-sheet processing specialist. In panel bending, the sheet is inserted horizontally and fixed in place while the bending tool moves to form each bend. This system boosts productivity and has ergonomic benefits, especially when processing components with large surface areas. The panel bending technology used here is able to produce positive and negative bends, folds and circular bends with a variety of radii – a significant advantage which reduces set up times and tooling costs. Fabricators are able to process an extremely wide variety of parts that reach far beyond the traditional range of panel bending and can form complex components with great productivity and precision.

With this semi-automatic bending center, operators insert the material against the back gauge and the 2-axis part manipulator performs all additional material handling required for bending steps along that edge. The machine operator then turns the sheet and the process begins again. This is the only panel bending machine with an additional vertical axis for the part manipulator. Since the part manipulator can fix parts at a range of positions, this enables exceptional flexibility and the ability to manufacture parts there were impossible before. The vertical axis also provides for easy removal of parts with downward edges.

This panel bending machine also automatically changes tools and eliminates setup time using the ToolMaster Bend. At the completion of one job, it quickly and reliably adjusts the blank holders while operators are free Press to prepare the material or perform other tasks. The result is a user-friendly, extremely fast and economical machine for small and medium-sized batches and even when producing a single part. With the standard tools, the TruBend Center allows for a range of shapes and formats: for aluminum and mild steel sheets up to 0.120 in thick and stainless steel sheets up to 0.090 in thick. Possibilities include short side lengths, deep boxes and small profiles, as well as parts with formed sections, recesses, and diverse radii. The machine can also productively process galvanized and painted sheet metal.

For parts with challenging geometries, such as very small profiles, formed sections near the bending line, flanges or staggered bends, additional blank holders and bending tools are available and provide users an unusually large degree of freedom to shape their components. This panel bending machine’s optical angle assistant ensures accuracy and is particularly helpful when setting up new parts. An integrated camera displays the current and desired angle at the control so the operator can monitor the angle and adjust as necessary. In addition, the robust angle drive that generates the tool’s movement is ideally designed to protect the component’s surface as much as possible during the bending process.

TRUMPF also offers the high-performance TruBend 5130 press brake that combines innovative technology with unique precision to reduce cycle times by up to 30 percent. The TruBend 5130 provides flexibility to fabricators looking to bend a variety of parts. Whether the parts are large or small, complex or simple, the patented ACB® (Automatically Controlled Bending) measuring technique used on this press brake ensures that bending angles are correct, right from the start. Programming can be performed with TruTops Bend software or right at the machine control. The optical LED and positioning visually assists the operator, facilitating rapid set-up and bend sequencing. Uniform pressure over the entire length of the ram is distributed due to 4-cylinder technology. The TruBend 5130 press brake offers the following advantages:

• 4-cylinder technology increases bending space, accuracy and productivity.
• Press force of 141 tons.
• Bending length up to 127 in.
• Quick-change tooling system.
• Extremely large installation height, up to 24 in.
• Intelligent 6-axis back gauge.

TRUMPF also offers the TruBend Series 3000 press brake that is simple to operate, accurate, and reliable. The machine’s closed-frame design provides high overall rigidity, and therefore higher precision, than the previous generation. The back gauges can move across the entire length of the machine bed enabling unrestricted use when bending at the ends of the machine. Automatic CNC crowning makes for constant angles. As the fastest machine in its class, the TruBend 3100 also features a press force of 110 tons and 118 in of bending length in a space-saving design. The machine comes standard with a two-axis back gauge, with the option to expand to a four- or five-axis back gauge, making it possible to bend parts accurately, even when complex part geometries are involved.

The TruBend 3100 is ideal for entry into precision bending. Its operating concept is simple and intuitive. The operator can draw and program parts graphically with modern multi-touch control. The exact bending parameters are calculated automatically based on company data derived from decades of experience in precision bending. 3D visualization further simplifies the work and checks the program for potential collisions. Preexisting programs are easily imported either via a USB interface or a network connection.

Upgrading bending capabilities to the TruBend Series 3000 is simple since even third-party tools can be used without an adapter. Simply select from a number of different tool clamping concepts. Manual clamping comes standard, with the upper and lower tools secured with Allen screws. The quick clamp option facilitates rapid clamping of the upper tools with a lever, reducing set-up times. The fastest option for set-up is automatic hydraulic clamping. Each option automatically centers the tools, which are inserted vertically.

A variety of components ensures that the new TruBend Series 3000 is a safe and ergonomic workplace. BendGuard uses a laser light field to monitor the area beneath the upper tool. If there is a break in the barrier – a hand interrupting the light field, for example – the machine will stop, protecting the operator from injury. This technology enables the operator to confidently run the machine at full speed for maximum productivity. The BendGuard is positioned at the sides of the machine, next to the ends of the ram. In preparation for inserting tools from the side, it can simply be moved so that it does not interfere. The position of the BendGuard is also easily and incrementally adjusted to accommodate upper tools of differing heights.

The compact design of this press brake features a small footprint, the interior space for the machinery is readily accessible, and it is quickly installed – because the machine is delivered completely assembled. The foot switch used to start the bending stroke is also easily repositioned. In addition, LED lights in front of and inside the machine keep the workpiece well lit.

TRUMPF Inc., Farmington Industrial Park, 111 Hyde Road, Farmington, CT 06032, 860-255-6104, www.us.trumpf.com.