Powerbend machines employ hydraulically-powered mandrel tube benders capable of handling carbon steel tube from 50-125 mm dia. With respective maximum bend angles and CLR of 180[degrees] and 250 mm, units feature externally mounted hydraulic valves and filter; plug-in electrical connections to valves with position indicators; and hydraulically powered, direct acting reaction arm. Allen-Bradley alphanumeric keypad offers 1,000 program storage with 16 bends max per program.

World-leading tube-bending and end-forming technology specialists, AddisonMckee, of Preston, UK, and Wilmington, USA, have developed a high-performance, lower cost tube bending range aimed specifically at the more basic requirements of the tube bending industry.

Benefiting from AddisonMckee's reputation for quality, precision and reliability, at an exceptionally competitive price, the new Powerbend range combines years of proven design techniques to provide the high levels of accuracy, repeatability, prompt tool change and ease of operation as required by today's manufacturing industries.

High quality solution of international standards

"As the leading innovator and provider of tube bending technology," commented AddisonMckee Sales & Marketing Director, Peter Chapman, "we have been able to use our expertise to provide a high quality solution for those companies who would ideally like to invest in AddisonMckee equipment, but have not always been able to justify the sophisticated capabilities that some of our machines offer. In the new Powerbend range we have created a choice of exceptionally durable models of international standards and revolutionary design, each with the added advantage of an exceptionally attractive price point. From launch, there will be a choice of 50mm, 75mm, 100mm and 125mm diameter capability models."

Impressive capabilities

Hydraulically-powered mandrel tube benders, capable of bending carbon steel tube from 50mm diameter to 125mm diameter, the models in the new Powerbend range offer maximum bend angles and CLR of 180[degrees] and 250mm respectively.

Machine beds and tanks are of one integral assembly. Hydraulic valves and filter are externally mounted for easy access. Electrical connections to the valves are of the plug-in type with position indicators. And the bend head is mounted to the bed on slideways and is adjusted laterally for CLR setting by means of a lead screw.

Main spindle

Mounted on heavy-duty taper roller bearings, the main spindle carries the bend arm. Rotation is by hydraulic cylinder connected to the spindle by chains. The angular position feedback to the servo is by encoder, through instrumentation grade gearing from the main spindle.

Simple to locate bend die

Easily located on the bend arm on double drive keys, the bend die is retained by a single nut if a tool spindle is used or bolted directly to the tooling platform for small CLR bending.

Clamp die mounting slide

The clamp die mounting slide is hydraulically powered with toggle mechanism for maximum gripping pressure and operated in a rise and fall motion to clear the tube on subsequent Y axis feeds. The clamp block moves across the clamp slide by lead screw for CLR adjustment. Clamp tooling is drop-in type with simple height adjustment.

Reaction arm / follower slide

Hydraulically powered and direct acting, the reaction arm carries the follower slide which takes the pressure die and is infinitely variable for speed via valve adjustment. The drop-in pressure die has simple screw adjustment for ease of alignment with the bend die.

Wiper die mounting

A rigid mounting post with three axis adjustment for easy set-up ensures good quality bends and long die life.

Plane of bend unit

On all models, the tube carriage (Y axis) moves along the machine bed on precision low friction bearings. Linear motion is by AC motor drive, with position feedback by absolute encoder. The collet is carriage mounted, with rotary motion (B axis) provided by AC motor, with absolute encoder position feedback for precision and repeatability. The master collet is designed to accept segments for the required tube diameters, clamping is by hydraulic cylinder actuated mechanism.

Mandrel unit

Fitted as standard with hydraulic actuation, the mandrel unit includes one 22mm diameter quick-change rod. Anticipated mandrel retraction is standard for high bend quality. Additional rods and automatic mandrel lubrication are offered as optional extras.

Allen-Bradley control

Programming of all Powerbend models is provided by an Allen-Bradley alphanumeric keypad. The many simple routines and features available include: tool monitoring to prevent collision; inch/imperial data input; 1000 programme storage; maximum 16 bends per programme capability; Y, B, C axis data input and automatic release of tube prior to final bend to prevent follower die / collet collision.

KMG Tool & Machine Co., Wichita, Kansas, has recently added more CNC equipment.

The 22-year-old firm, which specializes in tooling, precision machining, welding and fabrication, is adding the equipment to handle larger-sized jobs.

Two pieces of equipment were recently installed. The first is a Mazak AN 60/120 3-axis vertical machining center with a 124"X, 58"Y and 23"Z.

The other piece is a Mazak SV-25 4-axis vertical machining center, which features an 80-tool changer.

"This equipment was needed to handle the larger parts and will also help us expand our customer base," stated KMG Tool & Machine's Mike Coffey.

Other equipment in the company's 24,000-sq.-ft. facility includes: a Flow waterjet (6.5' x 24'); a Mazak CNC lathe, four CNC mills; numerous vertical and horizontal mills; grinding equipment; and an 8,000-sq.-ft welding shop (AWS certified) with aluminum-Heli-Arc, steel-MIG, Tig and Arc welding.

KMG works with CATIA version 4 and 5 CAD software and SMARTCAM software with full 3D surfacing, 411 axis and 5th axis indexing.

Designed to support advances in cutting tool geometry, ESPRIT 2006 provides grooving cycles for machines capable of turning while utilizing B-axis. Combining 4-axis wrap-pocketing and wrap-contouring machining cycles, software allows direct machining from 3D models and can also work with flat 2D representations. Capable of combining roughing, semi-finishing, and dedicated wall/floor finishing in single operation, it offers selection of cutting tools for each pass.

Camarillo, Calif. -Jan. 19, 2006 - Built upon the success of its previous product releases, DP Technology Corp. is proud to feature its latest CAM software, ESPRIT 2006, at WESTEC 2006 in Los Angeles from March 27-30. DP Technology will be running demos and giving informative presentations on booth #4232. Featuring functionality that emphasizes higher cutting speeds, longer tool life and suitability to increasingly complex geometry, ESPRIT 2006 is comprehensive in its ability to handle today 's most advanced machine tools and demanding machining applications.

The latest developments within ESPRIT 2006 include new grooving cycles which have been added to support advances in cutting tool geometry and machine tool design, including machines capable of turning while utilizing a B-axis. These new grooving cycles offer the following key functionalities: any-tool orientation utilizing a B-axis, new pre-finish options, expanded finish pass control -enhanced for NC compensation, optimized step-over calculations, additional roughing patterns, and support for casting stock.

New Rotary Milling Cycles

ESPRIT 2006 includes a new 4-axis wrap pocketing machining cycle which allows users to easily machine in 4-axis directly from a 3D solid model. This new capability supplements the wrap-contouring cycle introduced in ESPRIT 2005. Both of these machining cycles provide the programmer with the choice of working with flat 2D or 3D representations of the work piece. Roughing, semi-finishing and finishing, including dedicated wall-finish passes and floor-finish passes, can now be combined in a single operation, and each type of pass allows the selection of a different cutting tool. Tool path can be produced on the OD or the ID of cylindrical stock, utilizing one or two rotary axes, and all tool paths are displayed in 3D for greater clarity.

About DP Technology

DP Technology is a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software market leader with a mission to provide CNC programmers with the most powerful CAM software ever. DP Technology 's flagship product, ESPRIT, captures the company 's vision of technology 's potential and its passion for excellence.

The miniRaptor, a compact version of Datron Dynamics' Raptor class of machining centers is now offered with a 51" x 51" footprint. The machine also features a 20" x 20" x 8" working envelope that can accomodate fixturing and batch-machining of small parts. The smaller bed size facilitates the use of a solid slab of granite for the machining table, which provides increased rigidity to minimize vibration, the company says.

The machine includes standard features such as a 60,000-rpm spindle with a 0.125" collet; a three-tool automatic tool management system; Microsoft Windows-based control software; a PC with 256 MB RAM and 40 GB part/program storage; a handheld controller; Ethernet networking capability, remote monitoring capability; a removable chip disposal tray; and a full machining-area enclosure with a door safety interlock system.

This package can be augmented with a number of options including a 600W, 60,000-rpm spindle with 0.250" collet; a 10-tool automatic tool management system; a Z-Correction probe that recognizes irregular workpiece topology; and more. A 3D probe extension that locates and compensates for material irregularities in XYZ coordinates and facilitates reverse engineering is also available.

SmartCAMcnc has reached an agreement with Predator Software, Inc. to offer Predator CNC Editor for Smartcam. The version is available to Smartcam version 12 users at no charge and includes many of the options found in Predator's standard version.

Functions included are color highlighting, complete math operations, including trigonometry; unlimited file size with undo and redo; basic component object model (COM) support; and distributive numerical control (DNC) support.

The company has introduced the 104/D, a digital control with higher CPU speed and a Windows 2000 Professional-based operating system.

The control is backwards compatible to the company's older VMCs, so existing part programs can be run on the new control. The only edits a user needs to make for decreasing part run times are matched increases in feed rate and spindle rpm to ensure proper chip load, the company says. The control will also be upgradeable.

According to the company, the control has demonstrated an increase of up to 10 times the cutting feed rate without deviating from part tolerances. These increases are said to complement the control's ability to run DNC 100 times faster through an integrated 10-base T/100 Ethernet. The control's data storage capacity is 4 GB, eliminating the need to purchase expanded memory. Additional software ligatures are said to include Gibbs CAM, Quick Code, part rotation, scaling and limitless variable, and user-defined macros.

With a Windows 2000 Professional operating system, the digital control is said to enable the use of third party software, including CAM and communications programs. The control features a larger and brighter 15" LCD display, 101 PC keyboard and mouse. A new mounting system allows more freedom in positioning the pendant and provides enhanced operator ergonomics, the company says.