Robotic Bending Cell Streamlines Press Brake Work for Fabricators

The Rise of Robotic Bending Technology in Fabrication

Forge Manufacturing Technology has introduced the Press Pilot robotic bending cell, developed by Machine Pilot. This innovative solution is designed to automate high-mix press brake work, offering significant advantages for job shops and small OEMs. Traditionally, robotic automation can be slow and costly to implement, especially when dealing with low volumes of diverse parts. However, with the Press Pilot system, fabricators can save valuable time and resources, making automation more accessible.

Benefits of the Press Pilot Robotic Bending Cell

The key feature of the Press Pilot is its no-programming option, which eliminates the need for long and complex robot programming. Instead, the user can set up a part in less than 30 minutes. This requires minimal training. Once the part has been run, the program can be recalled easily from the PLC. Fabricators simply load the infeed station, change tooling or the gripper if needed, and start the operation.

This flexibility significantly enhances productivity, especially in smaller shops where manual labor is still often preferred for short-run jobs. However, the ability to quickly switch between automated and manual operation is a game changer. The robotic skid can be easily moved out of the way when manual work is needed. A quick recalibration is all that’s required to resume automated operations.

Streamlining Press Brake Work for Small-Scale Fabricators

The Press Pilot robotic bending cell is tailored to meet the specific needs of job shops and small OEMs. These businesses often struggle with balancing cost-effective automation with the manual flexibility needed for high-mix, low-volume work. With Forge’s solution, fabricators can automate the most repetitive tasks. At the same time, they maintain the flexibility to quickly adapt to changing production demands.

In addition, the system’s minimal setup and calibration times ensure that it won’t slow down workflows. This is a major benefit for high-mix production environments.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

As automation continues to drive efficiency in manufacturing, solutions like the Press Pilot robotic bending cell present a key step forward. They help fabricators seeking to improve productivity while minimizing operational costs. For smaller businesses that face the challenge of implementing complex automation systems, Forge’s innovation offers an accessible entry point into the world of robotics. As industry trends shift towards increased automation in metalworking, expect such technologies to redefine how job shops and OEMs manage their production lines.