Product category:
Tubeworking: bending, cutting-off, profiling and end working
News Release from: Press and Shear Machinery | Subject: Pedrazzoli Bendmaster CNC tube benders
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 February 2001
Tube benders need little programming
experience
Minimal programming experience is needed to operate the new PC-based 'IMS' control system fitted to the latest Italian-built hydraulic tube bending machines from Pedrazzoli.
Minimal programming experience is needed to operate the new PC-based 'IMS' control system fitted to the latest Italian-built hydraulic tube bending machines from Pedrazzoli, sold in the UK by newly appointed sole agent, Press and Shear Machinery, Tamworth Top of the range is the Bendmaster BM 42 IMS, capable of forming tube up to 42 mm diameter, 2.5 mm wall thickness, and up to 3.7 m long
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The BM42 IMS VAR version allows the production of irregular curves.
This is accomplished by positioning the bending arm in an angular position with a roller; the carriage then pushes the tube until the angle and radius, as programmed by the IMS control, is obtained.
As is often the case with CNC machine tools, the BM 42 is economical for small batch production and even one-offs, which reduces the cost and inconvenience of work-in-progress.
Other benefits include the power and rigidity to bend stainless steel up to 42mm diameter, and superior component accuracy in all materials.
The equipment is particularly fast in operation, allowing a user realistically to include non-essential bends in the program to speed subsequent welding, or even just to improve the aesthetics of the end product.
The machine design features a long throat and the depth of the head is narrow, allowing one bend to merge directly into the next without any discernible straight section between.
Should a cycle stop in the middle, if someone has stepped inadvertently on the safety mat for example, a 'recapture' facility immediately restarts the program where it left off so there is no need to scrap the part.
Unlike some tube bending CNC systems, which require a steep learning curve to extract all the user benefits, the control is operated simply by touching a succession of easily-understood symbols on the colour screen.
Most functions may be programmed in this way, including inputting the bending parameters using Cartesian or polar co-ordinates, setting the tool offsets and infinitely-variable bending speeds for different parts of the cycle, and pre-programming and memorisation of all tooling for the work cycle.
When the complete program has been entered, the operator can display, manipulate and selectively enlarge a screen image of the bent tube.
Dimensions, angles and rotations may be altered during simulation and the changes viewed immediately on the screen to ensure feasibility.
In a very short time, the final program is ready and production can start.
The length of tube required for production being automatically displayed.
Up to 10,000 programs can be stored on the hard disc.
A considerable amount of tube bending 'knowledge' has been built in.
For example, automatic springback compensation for different materials, mirror imaging, hitch feeding for bending long parts, recapture software for use when bends are in the interference zone of the tooling, and a program which automatically recovers from a mid-cycle stoppage to ensure its completion without loss of component accuracy.
Comprehensive fault diagnostics have been incorporated, taking information from limit switches on the machine and the part program as it is running.
The control is easily interfaced to a measuring system, host computer, printer or other peripheral equipment.
Other models in the Pedrazzoli Bendmaster range are for maximum tube diameters of 18 mm, 32 mm, 65 mm, 75 mm, 90 mm, 120 mm, and 160 mm. Request a free brochure from Press and Shear Machinery ...
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