If you are new to the bending game, or have been running torsion bar press brakes for years, you might want to consider how a CNC synchronised press brake could be the perfect machine for your company.
Each of the hydraulic rams (Y1 and Y2 axis) are synchronised via the CNC controller to allow for absolute precise delivery of pressure for your bending job – regardless of where you are bending across the bed. Bending performance will be equally as good at either end of the bed, as it will be for dead centre, allowing for tooling setups along the bed for more efficient processing of any multi-bend, multi-angle work.
Another advantage of a CNC press brake is their extreme accuracy in terms of delivery of bending force. CNC press brakes are inherently much more power efficient than the “always 100% on” force delivery from a torsion bar press brake. With the skyrocketing costs of energy in Australia, this can remove significant costs from a company’s power bills and increase its bottom line.
Yawei has always supplied an entry-level CNC synchronised press brake, and Applied Machinery has been providing Yawei’s PBH series of high-level CNC synchronised press brakes into the Australia market for well over 10 years. However, economic factors have meant that Applied was never able to competitively offer Yawei’s PBA series to its Australian customers… until now. Reductions in steel prices, along with increased production at Yawei, have combined to see the emergence of the PBA series machine as a legitimate option for companies looking to enter the market.
According to Applied, when comparing the prices of these machines to a torsion bar machine with similar specifications, the difference can come out to be only 15%. When you then take running and maintenance costs into account, the jump to PBA could actually save you money over the payback period.
The CNC controller is a Delem DA-52S, which is capable of four-axis CNC control as standard. A USB interface enables quick and easy memory-stick backup of product and tool information and a 17cm colour display allows the user to get quick visual access to any critical bending information that is required. Quick one-page programming, a tool/material/product library and hotkey navigation make this control an impressive option for companies entering the CNC market.
The machines also feature CNC control of three-axes – Y1, Y2 and X (back gauge) – as standard. To keep costs down, Applied is offering the PBA machine without CNC R-axis as standard, this is available an optional upgrade. All machines featuring Hoerbiger hydraulics, Heidenhain linear scales and Voith oil pumps, in addition to Lazersafe light guards and Rolleri tooling.
For the vast majority of customers looking at either 2,050mm or 2,550mm machines, deflection in the main beam will barely be a consideration. However, for 3,100mm machines, crowning compensation is usually included with the machine as standard.
According to Applied, the PBA series of CNC press brakes will never be the equal of the CNC5 and CNC7 available in the PBH series. However, they offer a legitimate entry point into CNC-controlled, synchronised sheet metal bending, allowing customers in this area a much greater degree of choice. A high-specification torsion bar machine will be priced not too far below a PBA, and the team at Applied believes PBA features such as CNC control, the machine’s high build quality and componentry, and the associated power savings will be enough to justify the upgrade.