Considering adding a panel bending machine to your sheet metal fabrication operation? Whether you are bending metal for the automotive industry, medical applications, aerospace devices, or anything else, there are tons of advantages of panel bending machine models.
Keep reading to learn about the top 8 benefits of sheet metal panel benders including increased productivity, precision, versatility, short setup times, improved workflow integration, and more.
First, though, let’s examine what a panel bending machine is and what it’s used for.
What is a Panel Bending Machine?
A panel bending machine, also called a panel bender, is a machine that bends and molds sheet metal or metal panels into different shapes. Generally, they use an upper and lower die to bend the sheet metal to the desired angle.
This minimizes time and generates consistent results for metal fabrication. Not only that, but the advantages of panel bending machines make them useful for various industries including construction, medical equipment, aerospace, furniture, consumer goods, signage, automotive, and more.
In fact, they are great options for virtually any metal fabrication operation that works with sheet metal, especially considering they can bend a wide variety of metal types and thicknesses.
While there are different types of panel benders including manual panel benders and semi-automatic panel bending machines, CNC panel bender options are at the cutting edge of technology. That’s because they use Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operators to allow for high repeatability, precise bends, and simple & safe operation.
Take the Accurl SMART BEC Panel Bending Center for example. With a highly customizable design, universal tooling, and the ability to bend various complex shapes, this versatile option is highly advanced. The automation features streamline productivity while the reliability means it can sustain your business operations for longer, with minimal maintenance.
Regardless of the sheet metal panel benders you choose from, these machines offer a wide variety of different benefits that you’ll want to consider.
Advantages of Panel Bending Machine
The main benefits of a panel bending machine are productivity, precision, versatility, rapid setup times, cost savings, flexibility, enhanced safety, and improved workflow automation, which is why they are perfect for CNC bending in sheet metal fabrication.
1. Increased Productivity
Panel bending machines streamline the bending process, elevating productivity while still maintaining the highest possible quality of bends as well as the integrity of the material. Not only that but with CNC control, you can drastically reduce manual labor. That means higher efficiency and easier operation that coexists with your entire operations.
Even better, with modern automation, you can accelerate productivity even more. For example, with Accurl’s advanced BEC line of panel benders, you can automate even the most complex shapes, boosting efficiency with consistent results and a max bending speed of 0.5 s/bending.
To put it simply, a CNC panel can maximize productivity while still giving you precise bends. That brings us to the next major advantage of panel bending machine options.
2. Precision and Accuracy
A panel bender can deliver accurate results, bending metal sheets into complex shapes with ease. With precise tooling and CNC controls, you can achieve unmatched precision with almost any advanced CNC panel bender.
That’s why they are critical components of operations that require utmost precision like medical equipment or aerospace devices. However, you don’t have to require top-quality precision for this to be a valuable benefit to your operation.
Precision can mean less material waste, stronger output integrity, and consistent quality for whatever you are manufacturing and fabricating. Combined with the first benefit of speed and efficiency, this is an extremely important factor for almost any business.
3. Versatility in Bending Operations
Panel bending machines are highly versatile, offering precision and abilities for various bending operations. They can bend complex or simple shapes with ease, delivering almost any result you need.
As we’ll investigate later, they also have unmatched versatility for a wide variety of materials and thicknesses, integrate with various different machines, and more. There are also different sizes available with different output limitations, speeds, and settings so you can find the perfect machine for your operations.
4. Reduced Setup Times
One of the slowest and most time-consuming aspects of a metal fabrication operation is the setup. However, CNC panel bending machines minimize setup times, offering easy tooling, automation, and simplified controls to streamline the entire process.
For example, the quick tooling changes mean that even for operations that use a single machine for various shapes and bends, the setup time is fast and easy. Plus, with modern automation, you can easily increase output for years to come.
5. Cost Savings
There are various ways that modern panel bending machines can reduce costs for your business, including:
- Reduced labor costs: with easier training and fewer operators needed for each machine, you can lower labor costs. Plus, there will be less overtime required.
- Less Material Waste: With fantastic precision, you won’t waste so much, saving you money
- Less Reworking Required: Improved efficiency and accuracy means less rework will be required.
6. Flexibility in Material Handling
Many panel benders work with a wide variety of different materials, thicknesses, and grades. In fact, cutting-edge machines do so with minimal adjustment required, thereby reducing wasted time and handling versatile operations with ease.
Whether you have a thick piece of aluminum, or slim stainless steel, panel bending machines can optimize the process and deliver unmatched results for your operations. That’s why CNC Bending in Sheet Metal Fabrication is so important and perfect for businesses of all sizes whether you’re a small manufacturer of furniture or a corporate partner of the world’s largest aerospace firms.
7. Enhanced Safety Features
With modern-day panel bending machines, safety is always a priority. With automated shut-offs, CNC control, and other safety features built into the machines, your employees and operators will be protected. Not only that but the materials will be protected as well.
Light curtains, interlocks, and emergency stop buttons reduce the risk of catastrophic injury and create a happier, safer workplace. That means happier employees that are more likely to be productive without having to worry about potential accidents.
8. Improved Workflow Integration
Panel bending machines integrate seamlessly into modern workflow systems as well as your existing machinery and operations. Accurl machines, for example, are compatibility with CAD/CAM software, allowing for design-to-production workflows and end-to-end integrations.
That also means they are perfect for long-term use in your metal fabrication area, being able to scale with your operations and working alongside both older and newer machinery like laser cutters, press brakes, and more.
Conclusion
Now that you see the countless advantages of panel bending machine options, make sure you weigh different models, their costs, and their features before making a decision. Check the specifications for precision and accuracy, inquire about safety features, and examine the type of control. If you want to learn more about advanced Accurl CNC sheet metal panel benders, click here. Then, request a free quote to see if our options are right for you.
