Press brakes – Why you need a seven-axis machine

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.

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.

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.

Speed

Simplicity reduces errors and means less need for corrections, meaning faster production times, getting those jobs out the door and to the client as fast as possible without compromising on quality. The new generation of seven-axis press brakes are the simplest to operate yet, and the working operation speeds of the machines save valuable time. Under test conditions the AccurlCMT EuroMaster series has delivered incredible results.

The most valuable commodity every business owner and in fact every person on the planet possesses is time. Through next-generation automation and superior componentry and tooling, the AccurlCMT EuroMaster series seven-axis press brakes are designed to give you back just that: time. The highly flexible machine is the latest evolution in the AccurlCMT press brake range, offering new technical innovations in combination with proven technology and the know-how to provide a level of product and service that that can be relied upon, to deliver superior consistency, accuracy, efficiency and speed.

Ticking all of the boxes, the seven-axis press brake is a machine that stands out when it comes to deciding on an upgrade of your old machine or to purchasing the new equipment that your business needs to meet the increasing demand the industry is seeing – particularly in Australia. And the best part is, they don’t break the bank. The pricing offered on this generation of press brakes is extremely reasonable and well worth the investment, especially when compared to their five-axis counterparts – the difference in price between the respective size machines is quite low.

Given the increase in productivity and reduction in running costs these machines are capable of delivering, the AccurlCMT EuroMaster series of seven-axis press brakes makes a strong case. It enables the user to potentially take on additional, and possibly even larger, jobs they otherwise would not have been able to accept.

As with any machine you purchase, warranty should be standard, and follow up-service and support are crucial. At Complete Machine Tools, all AccurlCMT EuroMaster press brakes come with a 24-month warranty on parts and a 12-month warranty on labour. The importance of knowing that the technicians providing the support for the machinery are the same technicians that assemble the machine and prepare it for delivery cannot be stressed enough, providing the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re getting someone who knows the machine inside out if you need them.

If you are in the market for a new press brake, and have been tossing and turning over the decision, a seven-axis machine could be the way to go to make sure your business isn’t left behind.

www.completemachinetools.com.au