Page 25 - MetalForming January 2013

Efficiency in Consumption of Energy and Material
Energy-efficient tech-
nology and intelligent use
of raw material took center
stage at the Salvagnini
booth, under the logo
KinEtic that appeared on
much of the equipment on
display. For example, the
firm’s new B3 KinEtic press
brake features unique
drive technology that
unites the advantages of
electric and hydraulic
press brakes, as well as the
debut of its new kinetic-
energy recycling system
(KERS). The press brake—
100-, 135-, 220- and 320-
ton models—features hydraulic drives, but no tank, servo- or proportional valves or traditional pumps. The hydraulic oil works as a “liquid gear rack,” say company officials, which moves up and down by a pump with a speed-controlled brushless servomotor. For quick movements and for bend- ing thin sheetmetal, the B3 KinEtic consumes a minimum amount of ener- gy and power, yet operates at high
speed. And, as with electric press brakes, the machine only consumes energy when force is needed. A further reduction in energy consumption occurs thanks to KERS, which recu- perates energy during the down move- ment of the blade and reuses it for the following upward movement.
Salvagnini also introduced its L5 KinEtic 4-kW fiber-laser cutting machine, which integrates the control
cabinet and the beam source into the structure of the machine to create a compact and easy-to- install system. Fabricators can use the L5 to cut sheet- metal from 3 to 20 mm thick. Here, the KinEtic logo points to the firm’s energy-conserving patent- ed compass kinematics, as well as a mass-efficient machine that uses carbon- fiber components.
Lastly, Salvagnini show- cased its new and improved P1 panel bender (shown)— completely simulated and
optimized by using only state-of-the- art drives, motors and sensors. Data is transferred by Ethercat, dramatically reducing the number of cables and optimizing maintenance-friendliness. And, thanks to unique, patented kine- matics of the bending frame, the P1 can reportedly produce bends that were not possible on previous models of panel benders.
Salvagnini: www.salvagnini.com
Press Brake Enables Automated Tool Changes Without a Tool Changer
Spied by our staff at EuroBlech, and again at FABTECH, was LVD Strippit’s new ToolCell—a hydraulic press brake with an integrated tool changer. The machine’s automated tool-
changing system reduces press-brake setup time, maximiz- ing throughput and efficiency for small- to medium-batch production. ToolCell also reduces labor cost, say company
officials, by eliminating the need for skilled labor experienced in tool-setup procedures.
ToolCell stores a library of top and bottom press- brake tooling within a “tooling stadium” located under the machine’s backgauge. An innovative gripper design built into the machine’s backgauge finger allows the backgauge to serve as the tool- changer mechanism. As the press-brake operator prepares for the next job, selecting the workpiece or moving blank parts to the machine, the press brake automatically changes the top and bottom tooling as required. Software stores tool location within the storage racks, and also directs tool placement with- in the press brake.
ToolCell is initially available with a 150-ton by 10- ft. press brake; stay tuned for 190- or 240-ton mod- els with bend length of 10 or 13 ft.
Strippit, Inc.: www.lvdgroup.com
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/January 2013 23