Although smaller versions of the Prima Powers eP series have previously been installed in the UK, this large eP 1336 variant, with a pressing force of 135 tonnes and a bending length of 3,655 mm, is the first of its kind installed in the UK.
Managing director Dave Dale says: “Each stage in our company’s development, for instance, our recent large factory expansion, has been driven by growing customer demand. Having identified bespoke bending as a pinch-point, to help satisfy rising customer requests in this area, we recently investigated the latest press brake technologies.
"Rather than investing in a conventional hydraulic press, in accordance with our philosophy of installing the best available technology, we only looked at next generation, all electric machines. Although a couple of alternative options would have provided many of the qualities we were looking for, Prima Power’s eP 1336 proved to be the ideal machine for our needs.
"Now installed and fully operational, the speed and precision of the eP 1336 ensures that it produces high levels of consistently high quality work. In addition to satisfying existing customers’ needs, the high-quality features and the extra capacity created by our Prima Power servo electronic press brake will allow us to enter new markets.”
Prima Power has installed a servo-electric drive system to the new eP-Series of press brakes, resulting in a fast, accurate, non-hydraulic bending solution. The innovative machine concept is said to combine productivity, accuracy, flexibility and reliability.
The eP 1336 range uses an advanced pulley belt system that is actuated by Prima Electro servo drives, distributing the bending force over the whole bending length. The system consists of fixed and moving rolls spread out over the total working length of the upper beam. The belt itself has a steel wire-reinforced, maintenance-free construction.
The Prima Power eP-Brake is based on a rigid O-frame. This arrangement ensures tool alignment, even under stress deformation, as there is no horizontal displacement. The position of the upper beam, in relation to the lower beam, is measured by dual Y1 and Y2 linear encoders that are attached independent of the machine frame. This design isolates ram positioning accuracy from any deflection in the side frames under load and maintains accurate positioning even during off centre bending operations. Ram repeatability on the eP-Series is ± 0.005 mm.
AutoPOL is an easy-to-use and effective tool for offline programming of Prima Power eP-Brakes. Sophisticated bending simulation makes it possible to shorten set-up times and to ensure already in the office that the bending task can be performed.
Dan McGinty, Prima Power general manager, sales, UK & Ireland, concludes: “The eP 'brake features the advantages of high acceleration, deceleration and fast response times of the servo-electric drive system. Compared to conventional brakes, considerable productivity increases can be reached; reductions of cycle times by up to 30% and more are now achievable.
"Working speed is programmable to ensure bending is made without loss of product quality or operator safety. Lazer Safe’s Block Laser system provides safe high speed closing down to just 2 mm. Compared with other guarding systems or even unguarded machines, the block laser system can save up to two or more seconds per cycle.”
