The Panel Bender is a highly automated machine for bending and forming sheet metal. It is similar to a press brake, but offers more versatility and efficiency. These machines have been around for more than 40 years and offer several advantages over traditional press brake machines, including labor savings, speed, good repeatability and consistency, and the ability to position the sheet for bending on all four sides in one pass.
Equipped with a highly intelligent operator control system, the Panel Bender can efficiently bend different workpieces, making it ideal for companies looking to automate and improve their production processes. Despite the high one-time investment cost, the efficiency and intelligence of the Panel Bender machine make it a revolutionary alternative to traditional press bending machines.
In conclusion, the Panel Bender is an effective metal deformation machine that quickly completes complex parts that require precise radius formation, folds or curves. It works with virtually no tool changes, making it a versatile and efficient option for sheet metal forming.
There are several types of Panel benders, each designed to meet the specific needs of the sheet metal forming industry. Here are some examples:
1000 x series Panel Bender: with molding lengths up to 1000 mm, it is particularly cost-effective for the production of small parts.
1400 x series Panel Bender: with a forming length of up to 1400 mm.
2000P series Panel Bender: Molding lengths up to 2000 mm.
2500P series Panel Bender: forming lengths up to 2500 mm.
Each type of panel bender has a unique structure and features, but they all have some common characteristics. They use universal, adjustable tools with upper and lower bending knives, eliminating the need for a large number of bending tools depending on the shape and size of the workpiece.
The choice of Panel Bender depends on the specific requirements of your production process. Our experts can provide you with a customized Panel Bender for your specific industry.
Press Brakes and Panel Benders are both used in the metalworking industry to bend sheet metal, but they have different mechanisms and are suitable for different applications.
Press Brakes:
Press brakes use punches and dies to bend workpieces. The punch is driven by hydraulic or mechanical force and presses the workpiece into the mold.
They are less expensive than panel benders, but their cost varies by tonnage, ranging from 40 tons to over 1,000 tons.
During operation, the operator may need to adjust the plate after each bending cycle.
Press brakes can be automated by adding robotic arms, but this increases the overall cost of the machine.
Panel Benders:
Panel benders have similar appearance and functionality to press brakes, but are more suitable for producing complex workpieces.
The panel bender can bend upward, downward and horizontally, allowing it to bend all sides of the panel.
The upper and lower blades, auxiliary blades, and automatic manipulators are the key components of the panel bender.
These tools are versatile and can be adjusted to plate changes without any additional setup time.
Once the panel bender positions the panel, it is held in place and the upper and lower blades bend the panel up or down.
Efficiency Comparison:
The panel bender bends parts two to three times faster than a press brake and with greater consistency.
The machine's automated features also allow for lights-out operation when time is of the essence.
In conclusion, while press brakes are more traditional and cheaper, panel benders offer greater efficiency and consistency. The choice between these two technologies depends on your specific needs, such as part complexity, throughput, budget, etc.
When working with Panel Bender, it is important to consider the properties of the material you are using. Here are some key factors to remember:
Material Thickness: The Panel Bender is effective for jobs involving materials up to 1/8 inch thick. The thickness of the material affects the bending process and the quality of the final product.
Material Type: The type of material you are bending (e.g. stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) affects tool selection and panel bending machine setup.
Material consistency: Consistency in material properties is critical to achieving high-quality bends. Variations in material properties can lead to inconsistencies in the final product.
Bending Complexity: The complexity of the bend required in the workpiece affects tool selection. Some materials may be better suited to complex bending operations than others.
Production volume: Production volume also affects material selection. Some materials may be more cost-effective for large-scale production, while others may be better suited for small-scale or custom jobs.
Tool Note: Tools used in a panel bending machine must be compatible with the material being bent. This includes consideration of tool durability, maintenance requirements, and the likelihood of tool wear or damage.
Remember, understanding the properties of the materials and how they interact with the panel bender helps ensure a successful bending process and a high-quality end product.
The panel benders are widely used in sheet metal processing, decoration, metallurgy, shipbuilding, automobile, machinery, aviation and other professional production fields.
The choice to employ panel bending technology will depend on the type of work your shop is pursuing and price considerations. It's also important to note that any shop that produces a large volume of box-like items of a decent size may consider a panel bender as a viable option.
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right panel bender for your needs. Here are some key points to remember:
Type of work: The type of work your store pursues is a key factor. The panel bender is effective for jobs involving materials up to 1/8 inch thick. They can quickly complete complex parts that require very precise radius forming, hemming, or offset bending.
Automation level: Panel Bender has fully automatic or semi-automatic operating machines. The choice will depend on the type of work the shop is pursuing and price considerations.
Universal mold and bending knife: The panel bender uses a universal, adjustable mold with upper and lower bending knives, eliminating the need to use a large number of bending tools according to the shape and size of the workpiece.
Efficiency and intelligence: The panel bender can effectively bend different workpieces, making it ideal for companies looking to automate and improve their production processes.
Forming length: Depending on your needs, you may need a machine with a large forming length.
Energy efficiency: Some models have an average power consumption of only 3 kWh/hour.
Price considerations: While the high one-time investment cost may deter some sheet metal processing users, the efficiency and intelligence of panel bending machines make them a revolutionary alternative to traditional press brakes.
Maintaining and servicing your panel bender is critical to its longevity and optimal performance. While specific maintenance procedures may vary by model and manufacturer, here are some general tips:
Regular Inspections: Check your machine regularly for any signs of wear or damage. This includes inspecting bending tools, bending knives and other components.
Cleaning: Keep the machine clean. Over time, dust and debris can affect the performance of your machine and even cause damage.
Lubrication: Regularly lubricate moving parts to reduce friction and prevent wear.
Software Updates: Keep your machine’s software up to date. Manufacturers frequently release updates to improve performance and fix bugs.
Professional maintenance: The machine is regularly maintained by professionals. They can spot potential problems you might have missed and make the necessary repairs.
Operator training: Make sure anyone operating the machine is properly trained. This not only improves efficiency but also prevents unnecessary damage to the machine.
Be sure to refer to your machine's specific maintenance manual for detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the manufacturer or professional service provider.
Here are a few common mistakes you should avoid when using a panel bender to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your machine:
The bending edge is not straight and the dimensions are unstable: due to reasons such as lack of crimping or pre-bending, insufficient material pressure, asymmetrical rounded corners of the convex and concave molds, uneven bending pressure or low height. To avoid this situation, the crimping or pre-bending process can be designed to increase the jacking force, even the gap between the convex and concave molds, and polish the rounded corners to make the height greater than or equal to the minimum size.
The workpiece is scratched after bending: This may be caused by the material surface being rough, the punch bending radius being too small, or the bending gap being too small. To prevent this, the smoothness of the die can be improved, the bending radius of the punch can be increased, and the bending gap can be adjusted.
Bending angle cracks: This will happen if the bending radius is too small, the material grains are parallel to the bending line, the blank has burrs extending outward, or the metal has poor plasticity. In order to avoid this situation, you can increase the bending radius of the punch, change the punching layout, create burrs at the fillet corners of the workpiece, and consider annealing or using soft materials.
Bending causes hole deformation: This can happen when elastic bending is used to position the hole. To prevent this, you can consider using shape bending, increasing the cover plate pressure, and adding pitted grids on the cover plate to increase friction to prevent the workpiece from sliding during bending.
The curved surface is thin: This may be caused by the radius of the convex and concave molds being too small or the gap between the convex and concave molds being too small. In order to avoid this situation, the radius of the convex and concave molds can be increased and the gap between the convex and concave molds can be adjusted.
Bulging or uneven workpiece surface: This can occur under circumferential tension. When bending, the outer surface of the material shrinks and the inner surface extends, forming a bulge in the bending direction.
Be sure to refer to your machine's specific manual for detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the manufacturer or professional service provider.
Choosing the right panel bender supplier depends on several factors:
Type of work: The type of work your store pursues is a key factor. If your shop produces a lot of box-like items, such as HVAC and cabinet work, and the specifications are right, panel benders may be a viable option.
Automation level: Depending on your needs, you can choose a machine that operates fully or semi-automatically.
Efficiency and Power Consumption: Hisman’s panel benders are known for their efficiency and low power consumption.
Price considerations: The cost of the machine is also an important factor to consider.
Machine specifications: Different machines provide different specifications, such as workpiece size, bending capacity, finished product size, processing integration, etc.
Remember to do thorough research and consider all of these factors before making a decision. Contact Hisman to learn more.
Anhui Hisman Intelligent Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd. is located in A-8#,Dahe Industrial Park,Bowang Town, Bowang District,Maanshan City,Anhui Provence,China.
Tel: +86 0555 6776 471
Email: tim@ahhisman.com
Fax: +86 0555 6765 075
Phone: +86 138 5551 1880
Add: A-8#, Dahe Industrial Park, Bowang Town, Bowang District, Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China
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