MEGAbend…extra powerful!

The MEGAbend metal folding system proves the precision of updown bending on thick and thin materials. Large-size parts, difficult and labor-intensive for press brakes, are ideal for the MEGAbend. The Bendex graphics software programs the bending sequences automatically. The stop system with fingers and suction bars allows automatic sequential bends. The ViN laser shows the operator the blank loading position. The tools offer plenty of free space for unique bending geometries.

Highlights!

• UpDown folding of up to 6 mm mild steel
• A single person can even bend large and heavy components
• Easy operation: Part rests on gauging system
• Fingers position the part
• Separately controlled suction bars prevent shifting of the blank
• Suction cups allow convenient blank loading
• Suction cups return the bent part to the rear for easy operator access
• ViN (Virtual Navigator) shows the loading position with a laser beam
• Automatic sequential bends without operator intervention
• Weight-reduced tools simplify tool setup
• Tools with front- or rear-free geometry offer large free spaces
• Two automatic pop-up squaring arms
• Operation from gauging side (large panels)
• Operation from folding beam side (smaller parts and profiles)
• Two monitors for front or rear operation
• Import of CAD file data (STEP, geo, dxf, dwg, etc)
• Automatic programming of the bending sequences
• Automatic programming of the bending sequences
• PowerBooster for extreme upper beam clamping forces
• Intelligent folding beam crowning system
• Air conditioning unit in the electrical cabinet for extreme outdoor conditions
• Ideal solution for users with high demands on flexibility

ECOauto: ECO with Automation

After the RAS Multibend-Center ECO had found its fan base as an affordable entry-level solution into automatic panel bending, the request for a simple blank loading and finished parts stacking automation quickly came up, this is the solution!

Highlights!

• Manual blank loading
• Manual unloading of bent parts (same side)
• Automatic blank squaring
• Automatic UpDown bending sequences
• Automatic tool setup
• Highest level of productivity
• Highest level of precision and repeatability
• Scratch free bending, no wear of tools
• One-click part programming
• Small floor space required

XLT bend … excellent!

For those who form complex precision sheet metal parts like cassettes, panels, and boxes and are wanting to increase productivity, the XLT bend is a perfect fit. The XLT bend, with 4060 x 2.5 mm or 3200 x 3 mm mild steel capacity, is an impressively flexible UpDown folding machine. Along with innovative mechanical components, the CNC’s One-Click Programming is certain to be a production highlight. Especially significant on the latest machine from RAS is its modularity, which over time will be added to the complete line of future RAS models.

UpDown Technology

The machine can be built for operation from the front or rear. With a new redundant safety system, operation is possible from the front even with UpDown bending. Bent parts no longer need to be flipped, as the folding beam is capable of automatically avoiding prebent flanges.

One-Click-Programming

Where experience and expertise were formerly required for programming, this intelligence is embedded in the machine software. Either the operator on the floor or engineer in the office directly imports STEP, DXF, or GEO files … and that is it! A simple mouse click is all that is required to program the complete setup and bend sequence automatically.

When several strategies are available to form the imported part, the CNC control shows alternative sequences and ranks each with a 5-star rating to simplify the best strategy for production. The operator has the option to simulate each strategy in 3D from any perspective and zoom. Once the operator evaluates and selects a strategy, all that remains is to press the “Start” button to begin the precision forming.

PC Control

To complement the newest folding concept, the RAS XLTbend includes two 24” monitors for operation. These are mounted on the machine sides, with the ability to tilt and adjust for the most ergonomic use by any operator. RAS makes it possible for the optional operation of the UpDown machine in both the front and rear of the machine. In order to validate machine operation, the operator must confirm either front or rear use of the machine before the applicable safety protocols are activated automatically. An integrated light band indicates the operation status of the machine.

Folding Beam

The folding beam is a revolutionary new design which is proven to reduce deflection by 20x over the bend line. The “Beam-In-Beam” principle achieves incredibly straight bends in real-time, without the need for adjustment. An additional crowning axis is completely unnecessary, and the folding beam can be utilized as a front stop in the 90° position with its perfectly flat surface.
Even the folding beam pendulum, critical for changing the folding beam direction, is driven with two servo-electric motors. This eliminates the mechanical changeover of pendulum blocks when using different folding beam tool widths, shortening the tool setup process and achieving additional productivity.

Hybrid gauging system

With modular gauging concepts, the customer can choose a rectangular table with gauging out to 1550 mm or can elect to add extended squaring tables for 4050 mm of squaring capacity. Each squaring finger zone is pneumatically actuated though the CNC control. If necessary, individual fingers can be mechanically restricted by hand so that warped or uneven edges (i.e. coil material) can be positioned accurately.

The latest innovation from RAS is a brand new hybrid gauging system. Stop fingers position of the blank to the bend line. The blank is held in place against the fingers by a vacuum system, so that subsequent bends can be positioned without the help or handling of an operator. As soon as the blank needs to be rotated, the pop-up fingers descend automatically below the table pans, in order to ease the operator’s manipulation of the workpiece.

Tooling System

RAS has enlarged free space in front and in the rear of the XLTbend’s upper beam tools. The 155 mm tall tools continue to have the strength for the max capacity of the machine. Additionally, it is now possible to have tooling up to 300 mm tall, permitting even deeper box depths for additional product capability. The upper and folding beam tool segments are simply placed into the tool rail and are automatically clamped in place. Between the lower beam tools, it is possible for the backgauge fingers to move as close as 10 mm from the bend line.

RAS ProfileCenter

The Profile Center is a bending center for metal components up to 3200 mm in length and 700 mm in width. The capacity of the machine is designed for 2 mm mild steel or 1.5 mm stainless steel materials. The Profile Center uses the folding technology for flexible folding of profiles such as door frames, elevator parts or cable ducts. Precision bending in batch size 1 is no longer a dream, but reality with the Profile Center!

FlexGripper Positioning system

The unique FlexGripper Positioning System moves, rotates and flips the blank automatically during the folding process. Its multi-flexible suction frame grips the part with up to forty suction cups. The vacuum is generated by an on-board vacuum pump. The suction bar can grab the blank from below, from above or from behind and can automatically change its access position during the folding sequence.

Slim tools

The folding technology is based on the moving folding beam. Its high and slim folding beam tool is exactly designed for the profile bending requests. The tools of the upper and lower clamping beam come with delicate geometries and with huge free space areas. By finite element optimization they are designed for 2 mm mild steel applications

One click programming

All this flexibility will be managed on the programming side. Making the complexity of the bending process manageable, RAS uses the unique and innovative one-click programming software. The operator just pulls a STEP file of the profile by drag-and-drop into the RAS software. With a single mouse click the part is programmed. If the software finds alternative folding strategies, it automatically evaluates the options and proposes the best bending strategy using a five-star ranking system. If the programmer wishes to examine the bending sequence prior to production, he may do so using the 3D simulation.

The RAS Profile Center bridges the gap between highly productive but inflexible rollforming lines and manually operated press brakes, which require a high operator expertise and great skill in the handling of the sheets.