Press brake tending by robots

Press brake tending by robots

Press brake tending by robots

Keywords ABB, Robots

Robots are being used increasingly in sheet metal industries to improve productivity, particularly replacing manual operations that involve dangerous machinery or unpleasant environmental conditions. By reducing manpower requirements, robots offer the best of both worlds ­ lower operating costs, with better safety and the elimination of the potential risks of repetitive strain injuries.

ABB Flexible Automation, Milton Keynes offers a range of standard robotic systems for material handling and press brake tending, based on proven equipment and backed up by the engineering capability to develop customised solutions (see Plate 4).

For new installations, ABB will undertake a thorough cost/benefit study to evaluate the competitive advantages and business value that can be achieved by using robots for machine tending. As well as operating costs and safety, key objectives include higher capacity, enhanced quality for fewer rejects and less rework.

The press brake is used to bend blank metal sheets. This is usually accomplished by inserting a blank sheet between a forming die and a descending blade, both being pressed together under pressure. Although the press brake operation is simple in concept, the use of robots ensures consistent quality by maintaining the positional accuracy of the blank within the press.

Plate 4 ABB Flexible Automation is marketing a range of standard robotic systems for press brake and material handling applications

The need for flexibility to meet the demands of shorter batch runs and rapid model changes must also be considered. High volume production may justify the use of automatic forming machines but these often involve complex tooling and long set up times.

For average production requirements, involving smaller batch sizes and frequent type changes, the practical solution, even for a small enterprise, can be to integrate a traditional press with an ABB robot.

A comprehensive range of peripheral devices, grippers and adapter joints, has also been developed by ABB Flexible Automation to enable users to obtain the maximum functionality from the robot system. Standard operator interface diagrams facilitate press dialogue and ABB's RAPID software are all designed to assist the robot programmer.

For further information contact: Jane Attwood, ABB Flexible Automation Limited, Auriga House, Precedent Drive, Rooksley, Milton Keynes MK13 8PQ. Tel: +44 (0)1908 350300; Fax: +44 (0)1908 350301.