XLT bend … excellent!

For those who form complex precision sheet metal parts like cassettes, panels, and boxes and are wanting to increase productivity, the XLT bend is a perfect fit. The XLT bend, with 4060 x 2.5 mm or 3200 x 3 mm mild steel capacity, is an impressively flexible UpDown folding machine. Along with innovative mechanical components, the CNC’s One-Click Programming is certain to be a production highlight. Especially significant on the latest machine from RAS is its modularity, which over time will be added to the complete line of future RAS models.

UpDown Technology

The machine can be built for operation from the front or rear. With a new redundant safety system, operation is possible from the front even with UpDown bending. Bent parts no longer need to be flipped, as the folding beam is capable of automatically avoiding prebent flanges.

One-Click-Programming

Where experience and expertise were formerly required for programming, this intelligence is embedded in the machine software. Either the operator on the floor or engineer in the office directly imports STEP, DXF, or GEO files … and that is it! A simple mouse click is all that is required to program the complete setup and bend sequence automatically.

When several strategies are available to form the imported part, the CNC control shows alternative sequences and ranks each with a 5-star rating to simplify the best strategy for production. The operator has the option to simulate each strategy in 3D from any perspective and zoom. Once the operator evaluates and selects a strategy, all that remains is to press the “Start” button to begin the precision forming.

PC Control

To complement the newest folding concept, the RAS XLTbend includes two 24” monitors for operation. These are mounted on the machine sides, with the ability to tilt and adjust for the most ergonomic use by any operator. RAS makes it possible for the optional operation of the UpDown machine in both the front and rear of the machine. In order to validate machine operation, the operator must confirm either front or rear use of the machine before the applicable safety protocols are activated automatically. An integrated light band indicates the operation status of the machine.

Folding Beam

The folding beam is a revolutionary new design which is proven to reduce deflection by 20x over the bend line. The “Beam-In-Beam” principle achieves incredibly straight bends in real-time, without the need for adjustment. An additional crowning axis is completely unnecessary, and the folding beam can be utilized as a front stop in the 90° position with its perfectly flat surface.
Even the folding beam pendulum, critical for changing the folding beam direction, is driven with two servo-electric motors. This eliminates the mechanical changeover of pendulum blocks when using different folding beam tool widths, shortening the tool setup process and achieving additional productivity.

Hybrid gauging system

With modular gauging concepts, the customer can choose a rectangular table with gauging out to 1550 mm or can elect to add extended squaring tables for 4050 mm of squaring capacity. Each squaring finger zone is pneumatically actuated though the CNC control. If necessary, individual fingers can be mechanically restricted by hand so that warped or uneven edges (i.e. coil material) can be positioned accurately.

The latest innovation from RAS is a brand new hybrid gauging system. Stop fingers position of the blank to the bend line. The blank is held in place against the fingers by a vacuum system, so that subsequent bends can be positioned without the help or handling of an operator. As soon as the blank needs to be rotated, the pop-up fingers descend automatically below the table pans, in order to ease the operator’s manipulation of the workpiece.

Tooling System

RAS has enlarged free space in front and in the rear of the XLTbend’s upper beam tools. The 155 mm tall tools continue to have the strength for the max capacity of the machine. Additionally, it is now possible to have tooling up to 300 mm tall, permitting even deeper box depths for additional product capability. The upper and folding beam tool segments are simply placed into the tool rail and are automatically clamped in place. Between the lower beam tools, it is possible for the backgauge fingers to move as close as 10 mm from the bend line.