Laser System ensures press-brake operator safety.
Press Release Summary:
BendGuard® enables foot operation of machine at high speeds, which allows operation personnel to have both hands free for part handling. It is capable of machining any part geometry, regardless of opto-electronic protection. It utilizes 3 parallel laser beams located below upper tool, ~0.35 in. below punch bottom. Laser beams function as hand and finger guards. Effective laser band width begins 0.79 in. below punch bottom and extends 0.79 in. beyond it.
Original Press Release:
TRUMPF BendGuard: New Laser System Ensures Operator Safety When Bending
FARMINGTON, Conn., June 3, 2001 - At IMTS 2002, TRUMPF will show their revolutionary new laser safety system for bending, BendGuard®. Now available to the North American market, BendGuard offers a number of operator safety advantages without the common disadvantages of other press brake safety systems.
The TRUMPF BendGuard enables ultra-safe foot operation of the machine even at high speed. Operation personnel have both hands free for part handling, and can thus machine any part geometry, regardless of opto-electronic protection. Compared to machines with other safety systems, BendGuard's unique combination of safety and speed can result in a productivity increase of up to 30 percent.
Press Brake Safety Via the Laser
Three parallel laser beams are located below the upper tool, approximately 0.35 inches below the bottom of the punch. The laser beams function as hand and finger guards. The effective width of the laser band begins 0.79 inches below the bottom of the punch and extends 0.79 inches beyond it. If the laser beams encounter any obstacle the machine stops the downward movement of the ram and reverses a few inches upward. Once the obstruction is removed, the operator can continue the bending process by pressing the foot-switch again. This process guarantees maximum hand and finger safety within the area of the three moving laser light beams.
During bending of boxes or tubes, in the "nesting mode", the two outer laser beams can be switched off. Therefore, forming perpendicular flanges is no longer a problem, and operator safety is still assured by the middle beam.
Safety Doesn't Have to Be Time-consuming
With the TRUMPF BendGuard, setting up the press brake to bend a new part is very simple. Display and programming functions are integrated into the machine's CNC control. The transmitter and receiver of the laser beams can be quickly replaced in the upper tool holding fixture as easily as a normal die. The laser beam itself can be quickly adjusted to any upper-tool height (from 4.7 inches to 15.3 inches in 0.4-inch steps). The upper tool can be moved at reduced rapid speed down to the mute point, then bending process takes place at normal operating speed. Programming of the mute point is monitored for additional safety.
The TRUMPF BendGuard is available on all new V Series press brakes.
For more information about BendGuard or other TRUMPF press brake innovations, please contact Lynn Moore, 860-255-6051.
TRUMPF is one of the world's largest producers of fabricating machinery and a world market leader in lasers used for industrial production technology. Additional company information is available at: www.us.trumpf.com
