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News New products for even more efficient sheet metal processing

Product innovations from Bystronic: Within the framework of regional Competence Days and the “Euroblech Digital Innovation Summit” online event, Bystronic presented its latest products and solutions for the fields of laser cutting, bending, automation, and software. Among other things, the sheet metal processing specialist demonstrated how manufacturing environments can be intelligently networked to achieve even higher efficiency.

In the age of Industry 4.0 the world is changing and with it the business environment in the sheet metal processing sector. Bystronic has formulated its vision of a fully automated and integrated Smart Factory to help its customers to master these challenges and consolidate their competitiveness over the long term: intelligent, highly networked, and extremely flexible. From the high-speed fiber laser cutting system to the loading, unloading and sorting system, and right through to the bending cell, the autonomous AGVs (automated guided vehicles), and the welding cell: An automated material flow and a seamless data flow enable end-to-end process automation, including the integration of third-party components. The intelligent Bystronic software allows the network of intelligent components to be controlled in a centralized and convenient way. This is complemented by a wide range of new products and valuable features that enable sheet metal processing companies to further boost their productivity.

Bystronic’s product innovations in the field of laser cutting

Monipuolista leikkaustekniikkaa: ByTube 130 laserteholtaan jopa 3 kilowattia.

ByTube 130

The ByTube 130 is the optimal solution for sheet metal processing companies that want to expand their portfolio. Tube laser cutting is the future-oriented alternative to sawing and drilling. The fiber laser performs both in one go – and considerably faster. The automatic weld seam detection eliminates the need for manual alignment of the raw material. Its consistent cutting quality is another compelling argument in favor of fiber laser technology. Thanks to clean cutting edges, deburring is a thing of the past.

The ByTube 130 is perfectly equipped for the processing tubes with diameters of 10 to 130 millimeters and can process raw tubes with a length of up to 8.5 meters. Available in two performance levels – 2 or 3 kilowatts – the fiber laser aggregate also boasts excellent energy efficiency. Optional features (“Laserscan” for higher precision in all cutting conditions and “Quick Cut” for increased speed and parts output) allow the additional and customized configuration of operator convenience and production quality.

Entry-level users do not require extensive experience to be able to start producing with the ByTube 130. The specially developed ByVision Tube user interface makes controlling all the functions relating to the laser cutting of tubes simple and intuitive via a touch screen. The interface is clear and straightforward, and setting up cutting jobs is completed in next to no time. The automated system reduces the need for manual interventions to a minimum and thus makes your entry into the tube processing business particularly easy.

Bystronic’s product innovations in the field of bending

Laser Angle Measurement System LAMS for sheet metal bending

Xpert Pro with LAMS 4.1

Not just a dream but a reality at Bystronic: Perfection from the very first bend. This is made possible by the next-generation LAMS angle measuring system’s unique springback compensation.

High tensile strength materials are used, for example, for automation projects in the agricultural sector, and in the trailers and automotive industry. During processing, such materials can spring back by up to 20° and more. The Xpert Pro’s unique springback compensation prevents this and thus guarantees optimal results from the very first bend.

The LAMS angle measuring system is key to ensuring process reliability. It compensates for any deviations in the sheet thickness. In addition to sheet thickness fluctuations, the reliable angle measuring system also automatically compensates for springback and rolling direction variations. In addition, corrections related to the sheet metal that is being processed can be stored and transferred to other machines – even to those that are not equipped with LAMS. This means that all other Bystronic press brakes in operation within the company also benefit from this function.

Thus, the Xpert Pro reduces the need for tedious manual corrections. The Xpert Pro also reduces the operators’ workload during the programming of bending processes: The ByVision Bending software solution determines the ideal bending process for every material thickness and bending angle. Convenient offline programming enables data to be imported without interrupting running production processes. Thus, the high-end press brake leaves nothing to be desired in terms of convenience. Bending has never been faster and more precise than with Bystronic’s new Xpert Pro.

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Modular Tool Changer

Operating a press brake is hard work. Not only the sheet metal is heavy, but also the tools. Operators have to first retrieve the bending tools from the magazine and then heave them onto the machine. Particularly on the upper beam, setting up the machine takes a great deal of strength: Here the tool must be hooked into the clamping system at chest height.

In addition to strength, changing the tools also requires time. Setting up can take up to 70 percent of the bending process. And setting up tools is a task that has to be performed more and more frequently, because the trend is moving towards small batch sizes. Nowadays, an operator often equips the machine with completely new tools after just a few units in order to produce a completely different part – and then another part shortly afterwards. In particular for job shops, the setup time is thus becoming an increasingly critical factor in the bending process.

Automatic tool changers significantly accelerate setup times while reducing the operators’ workload. Bystronic recognized this potential at a very early stage and launched its first automation solution as early as 2016. With the Modular Tool Changer, there is now also a state-of-the-art automation solution for the Xpert Pro press brake. It increases the productivity of the bending process by up to 30 percent. And thanks to next-generation sensor technology, it also ensures higher precision. At the end of a long shift, operators sometimes position tools with less precision than required. This can certainly not happen to the six-axis robot. For each bending job, it automatically retrieves the correct tool set from the integrated magazine and inserts it into the clamping system of the upper and lower beam with millimeter precision.

The add-on module can be easily retrofitted to all versions of the high-end press brake series.

The retrofittable solution for all Xpert Pro series machines.

The retrofittable solution for all Xpert Pro series machines.