The impressively flexible swivel bending machine RAS XLTbend automatically bends sheets up and down. With the Bendex software, finished bending programs are created with a single mouse click. The combination of intelligent software, the combined finger-suction stop system, the Virtual Navigator (ViN) and the SnapTool corner tools puts the XLTbend in the category of a bending center.
The XLTbend swivel bending machine bends cassettes, panels and boxes up and down. It is suitable for bending large-surface bent parts, but also for smaller complex housings and profiles. With the UpDown technology, the bent parts do not have to be turned when changing the bending direction. The easy and fast operation ensures short cycle times and low unit costs.
Stable stop fingers position the workpiece on the bending line. At the same time, suction cups hold the bent part on the stop fingers. This allows complete bending sequences without operator intervention.
Since the blank remains on the stop during the bending process, a single person can bend large and heavy, but also thin and kink-sensitive metal parts and profiles alone.
The modular stop concept allows the choice between a rectangular stop up to 1550 mm stop depth and a centrally extended T-stop up to 3250 mm (4100 mm). This is suitable for large-area boards.
The UpDown swivel bending machine RAS XLTbend is available in the variants 4060 mm x 2.5 mm and 3200 mm x 3 mm. The working length is not only suitable for large-area metal cassettes, but also for smaller complex bent parts that require several tool stations along the bending line.
Programming with a mouse click
Whether an UpDown swivel bending system is suitable for flexible requirements and small production batches depends decisively on its software – in other words, how quickly and easily a bent part can be programmed. According to RAS, this is where the XLTbend sets completely new standards. Although the machine can also be programmed in the workshop, this work is usually done on the office PC in the office.
After importing a step file of the bent part or alternatively a dxf or geo file, it only takes one mouse click and the Bendex software programs the complete bending process automatically. Thanks to a data link to the machine, the programming is realistically based on the current machine parameters and the available tooling.
If there are several ways to bend the part, the Bendex software suggests the best bending strategy with a 5-star ranking. A 3D simulation already shows in the office the later process on the machine and draws attention to possible collisions.
The generated bending programs can be saved in program libraries or sent to the machine as a job list. At the machine, the Bendex software provides the operator with the appropriate instructions at each bending step on the swiveling 24″ touch monitors.
From the swivel bending machine to the bending centre
Three elements move the XLTbend-UpDown swivel bending machine into the category of a bending center. The first element is the ViN (Virtual Navigator). A forward and backward pointing arm moves program-controlled along the working length and shows the operator the exact insertion position of the bent part with a laser beam.
This function is particularly helpful when working from the fence side. The stop fingers move to the rear. There a comfortable insertion of the board against the stop fingers is possible. The laser line on the side shows the insertion position. The software calculates the exact insertion position to match the tool structure.
The second element for an automatic bending process are the suction cups of the stop system. They hold the bent part at the stop fingers. This allows complete bending sequences without operator intervention.
When bending parts with inwardly projecting C-legs, the third element comes into action – the SnapTool corner pieces of the top beam. For most machine installations, a single tool set is sufficient to bend a customer’s complete range of parts. Starting with 155 mm high tools for 3 mm capacity, higher tools are also available for box heights up to 400 mm.
As soon as the last bend is finished, the upper cheek opens. In the process, the tool soles of the SnapTools fold down and release the bent part. The suction cups pull the bent part to the rear, where it can be conveniently removed by the operator.
The combination of these three elements, coupled with intelligent software and UpDown bending technology, should enable precise bent part handling, optimized set-up and automated bending sequences.
