Eko supplies a hybrid CNC press brake featuring dual servo motors, while Estun provides the press brake tender robot.
New Zealand manufacturers should be embracing greater automation in metal fabrication and machining, says Andrew Leabourn, managing director of Leabourn & Rose Ltd.
“The need for automation is driven by several factors: the difficulty in finding skilled labour, the imperative to enhance worker safety, the need to boost productivity, and the demand to stay competitive on a global scale” says Leabourn.
“Many argue that automation isn’t feasible for job shops or small-batch manufacturers due to economic concerns. However, I believe otherwise. In my view, the focus of automation in metalworking should be on flexible manufacturing cells”, explains Leabourn. Standalone cells automate specific metalworking processes while offering the flexibility to handle various items. As businesses grow, these cells can be interconnected to automate multiple processes in a streamlined manner.
In collaboration with Eko and Estun, Leabourn & Rose has developed a versatile press brake bending cell. Eko supplies a hybrid CNC press brake featuring dual servo motors, while Estun provides the press brake tender robot. The breakthrough for economical small-volume production is Estun’s digital robot bending workstation software. Leabourn says this advanced offline programming solution, designed specifically for the sheet metal industry, features a modular and intuitive interface that enhances robot programming efficiency. By importing a digital model of a product, the software automatically calculates the robot’s trajectory for each bending step.
Estun has also designed robots tailored for press brake bending. The company’s robots, with attributes such as a short boom and a long arm, accommodate high load capacities and a significantly larger working area, allowing them to safely handle and rotate large plates. Integrated with the Eko press brake are high-sensitivity back gauge switches that create a feedback loop with the robot. This system ensures that the plate is precisely aligned with the bending line, automatically adjusting if misalignment is detected.
Estun offers bending robots in load capacities of 45kg, 80kg, and 130kg. For example, a 40kg plate that would normally require two operators, to handle can be easily managed by a robot. Freeing up valuable staff and enhancing safety.
“At Leabourn & Rose, we pride ourselves on a 46-year legacy of delivering expert machine tool knowledge, technical proficiency and quality brands. We will not only provide the machine tools but also the expertise needed to integrate and automate your manufacturing processes. Our exceptional team will support you every step of the way,” says Leabourn.
Sponsored content: For more information visit http://www.leabourn-rose.co.nz, email info@leabourn-rose.co.nz or call 09 274 6186.