Active Crowning Improves Part Accuracy

Though sheet metal is labeled according to its minimum yield strength, it can still be unpredictable during fabrication. For example, A36 steel corresponds to 36,000 psi but also includes much stronger steels. This material variation can be compounded by internal stresses created during rolling, holemaking or cutting. Consider the forming process, where the upper ram of the press brake can bow in the center and the punch will be farther from the die, meaning the angle produced will be sharper at the ends and wider in the middle. A difference as small as 0.0019 in deep leads to a 1 deg difference on a 0.3 in V-die.

The X-Press from Gasparini Industries S.r.l. (Istrana, Italy) uses patented ACSG active crowning to solve this issue by raising the table to keep the die at a constant distance. A sensor in the ram detects any bowing and triggers cylinders in the table to raise the die while another sensor measures the height. When the two values are equal, punch and die are positioned at the same distance and the resulting profile has a constant angle across its length. ACSG is just one of many accessories that make X-Press the most advanced press brake in the world. This press brake is a tailor-made machine, entirely designed and built by Gasparini, including the frame and the hydraulic circuit. The X-Press offers other unique custom solutions that include:

• ECO inverter: record-breaking speed and energy efficiency.
• Laser DSP-AP: safely reduces cycle time.
• GPS4: embedded angle measurement that works better than lasers, even on complex shapes, on any surface finish, and no setup is required.
• Backgauges: either on beam or on towers, for conical bends up to 80 deg, with sheet followers and retractable supports.
• Patented upper and lower clamping for all tooling styles, with manual, pneumatic or hydraulic operation.
• Delem or Phoenix CNC with remote assistance, 3D file and bending sequence import. Robot and company server interface.

Gasparini Industries S.r.l., Via F. Filzi 33-31036 Istrana, Treviso, Italy, +39 (0) 422 835 652, Fax: +39 (0) 422 835 600, www.gasparini.it/en.