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Tube-Bending Machines for Small Diameters

A Chinese components supplier is meeting the continuing strong demand for cars and trucks by using Schwarze-Robitec’s CNC 25 E TB MR and CNC 80 E TB MR tube benders to manufacture small-diameter parts more quickly and easily.

Posted: January 29, 2020

Schwarze-Robitec’s CNC 25 E TB MR is available in left/right bending versions and a version with a bending head that rotates 180 degrees. Tubes with complex geometries can thus be bent in one process step.

Thanks to its extended vertical transport carriage, Schwarze-Robitec’s CNC 80 E TB MR cuts and bends tubes up to 3 inches in diameter in the same process despite its multistack bending tool.

Chinese automotive components supplier Changzhou Liangxu Vehicle Accessories makes injection tubes and radiator outlet pipes and is the primary tube-system supplier for the country’s third-biggest truck manufacturer. The manufacturer is so pleased with its recently installed small-diameter Schwarze-Robitec America Inc. (Wyoming, MI) CNC 25 E TB MR with integrated NxG control that it’s adding the control system to two more machines.

The fully electric machine bends steel tubes up to 1 in in diameter and wall thicknesses of 0.08 in as well as stainless steel tubes up to 0.8 in in diameter and wall thicknesses of 0.06 in. It’s available in left/right bending versions and a version with a bending head that rotates 180 degrees. Tubes with complex geometries can thus be bent in one step.

Like all Schwarze-Robitec machines, the bending table and bend former can be operated independently, simplifying the entire process. Thanks to intelligent scanners and a slim machine bonnet, the machine can be operated without safety fences. Because the electric controls are integrated into the machine’s body, the tube bender doesn’t require an external control cabinet and can therefore be easily moved around the production area if necessary. Depending on tube system, the controls increase output up to 50% due to simultaneous operation of the axes.

By combining the bending and cutting processes for 3-in-diameter tubes, the CNC 80 E TB MR shortens turnover times and reduces waste by up to a 90%. Despite its multistack bending tool, the machine is able to cut tubes as well because of its extended vertical transport carriage. A vertically adjustable pressure die moves to the individual levels in sync with the tube.

For each bending sequence, the NxG control system assesses the interaction between all axes, operating them simultaneously and preparing the next sequences. This reduces production time by 20% to 40% depending on component and tube geometry.

Quick-Tool-Unlock ensures faster refitting times with a rapid clamping system for the bend former. Tension bars are easily opened and closed for tool changing. No bolts are required to fasten the freely stored bend former to the turntable, which increases repeatability and process security.

Schwarze-Robitec America Inc., 3566 Roger B. Chaffee Memorial Blvd., Wyoming, MI 49548, 616-278-3971, fax: 616-419-4527, [email protected], www.schwarze-robitec.com.