Turku-based Hydroscand Oy has received a BLM Group E-Turn52 automatic tube bender, representing the largest and most versatile delivery of this model series in Finland. The fully servo-controlled bending machine can be equipped simultaneously with six different tool stacks, which may include six different bending radii or six different tube diameters. In addition, two different bending shaft diameters for single tools can be used at the same time, enabling Hydroscand’s new tube bender to produce single-piece series cost-effectively and quickly. With the aid of 3D programming and simulation, dimensionally accurate and high-quality hydraulic tube products can be bent correctly on the first run.
E-Turn 52 tube bender
BLM Group’s E-Turn tube benders are fully servo-controlled machines with 14 freely programmable axes. The Siemens servo motor and control packages used by BLM are not only highly reliable, but also energy-efficient. The manufacturer promises energy cost savings of 80% compared with hydraulic machines, as well as significantly lower maintenance costs. The unique 360-degree rotating CNC bending head of the E-Turn model enables both right-hand and left-hand bending as well as variable-radius bending in a single cycle. The bending head can be equipped with tool stacks for up to six different bending radii or tube diameters.
3D programming and simulation
With BLM’s 3DVGP programming software, part programs can be created in the office and a genuine bending simulation can be run, fully corresponding to the actual machine environment. Through 3D Import/Export, the blanks to be bent can be taken directly from Hydroscand’s customers’ 3D models in .iges or .step formats. In addition, any fine adjustments and modifications required for manufacturability can be made to the part geometry in the programming software, transferred back to the actual 3D model, and submitted for approval, for example to the customer’s designer. Naturally, traditional dimensional, angular or coordinate data can also be used in programming. However, thanks to 3D simulation programming and the B-Tools corrections in the CNC control, even the first production part to be bent is completed with dimensional accuracy.
Local customer service support and bending tools from Fredko Group
Fredko Group’s customer service unit FredBest acts as BLM Group’s local service partner. FredBest service programmes keep machine utilisation high and maintenance costs reasonable. Fredko also provides bending tools for BLM tube benders, supplied by some of the most experienced tool manufacturers in the industry. Hydroscand received an extensive tooling package with the machine, covering almost all of the most common hydraulic tube sizes. BLM Group provides its customers with tool drawings, enabling fast and cost-effective local tool manufacturing when required.
Hydroscand: Jukka-Pekka Hietaniemi, 0207 306 637 or jukka-pekka.hietaniemi@hydroscand.fi .
Fredko: Pasi Pitkänen 0400-956828 or pasi.pitkanen@fredko.com .