XL Centre Innovation for Metal Roofing and Architectural Profiles

9 Sep 11

Based on the remarkable XXL-Centre technology, Sheetmetal Machinery Australia Pty Ltd has introduced a new folding innovation for light gauge sheet metal profiles from RAS Reinhardt. With 3200 mm folding length at 1.5 mm mild steel capacity, the XL-Center offers technical excellence.

When RAS began the development of the XL-Centre there were many innovations listed in the specification list. The machine is able to fold the workpiece up and down, thus reducing material handling to a minimum. Actual users of its big brother, the XXL-Centre especially appreciate one feature: the substantial and patented 300 degree free space in front of the beams. This free space opens up unimagined part design possibilities. XL-Centre users will also find this technical milestone on the new RAS model.

RAS added a new features and benefits to the specification list: the capability to fold tapered parts. Such parts are used especially on roofing and architectural parts, where one part is inserted into another. This new machine is complete with an easy-to-use PC control, which programs the profiles automatically. And finally, this innovative package is more economical to purchase.

When starting an automatic folding sequence the gauging system moves to the blank load position. The gauging system has four pairs of grippers positioned along the working length of the machine. When the gauging system moves to its minimum depth stop of 6 mm, the grippers automatically close and the front surfaces the grippers can now be used as gauging stops. When a re-griping sequence is required within a folding cycle, the sequence happens automatically without any involvement of the operator.

When folding up or down the upper or lower folding beam rolls away with the material and bends the metal part to the programmed angle. By using this arcing movement, the XL-Center is ideal for folding pre-coated materials.

RAS uses a very clever design for creating tapered parts. Two servo motors, located left and right of the gauging system, move the gauging bar with the grippers into a tapered position. This allows the grippers to hold the part throughout the entire folding cycle, without marking the work piece.

RAS is breaking new ground with the PC programming system. By simply drawing the profile on the 19-inch touch screen monitor with your finger, the desired metal component is created in seconds. What comes next is the ingenious part of the automatic part programming. This software suggests alternative folding sequences and ranks them according to the least number of collisions and with a limited amount of material handling.

The same software is also available for the PC in the engineering / design department. If the manufacturer also acts as a job shop for metal profiles, he can complement the software to the "Bendex3D.shop” software module. (A software system used by the manufactures customers to create profiles).

Using this upgrade, the profile manufacturer can provide access through his internet service for his customers. The customer can create their requested designed profiles on the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are not limited to the profile catalog offered by the manufacturer.

The software instantly proofs the profile. Missing dimensions and incomplete information as well as incorrect dimensions are a thing of the past. If the profile cannot be produced on the XL-Centre – even with the large free space – the software shows the customer what needs to changed.

After setting the linear dimensions and selecting the material, the customer places the profile in the shopping cart. By pressing a single key, the program calculates the cost and automatically provides the customer an offer, without the involvement of the manufacturer. If the offer is acceptable, the customer can instantly order the parts. There is no faster or simpler way for a customer to order part profiles. After the customer makes use of this simplicity and speed once, he will not accept any more traditional faxes and waiting for a proposal for one or two days.

The manufacturer receives the order online. He saves the total estimating department costs. In addition, the market will recognize him as a leading and innovative company and his corporate image will get a tremendous boost. The manufacturer will not only receive a clean profile drawing from the customer, he will also receive an automatically created program for the RAS XL-Center.

With the XL-Centre RAS once again underscores its leading role as a manufacturer of innovative solutions for fabrication machines. A look at the XL-Center is enough to realize that apart from all technology RAS also focuses on the essentials. The sleek XL-Centre style includes the sleek machine design which self-evidently fully meets the latest safety regulations.

For further information please contact Sheetmetal Machinery Australia Pty Ltd
Tel: 03 9758 9377
www.sheetmetalmachinery.com.au