Machine builder lets customers grow with it in sheet metal production automation 

Italian machine builder Euromac, which specializes in the construction of sheet metal working machines, has developed a number of automation solutions that enable the market to automate sheet metal production step by step. Based on its stand-alone punch presses and electrically driven press brakes, Euromac has developed a number of modular automation systems for sheet loading and unloading, sorted stacking and robotic bending. These allow these basic machines to be expanded incrementally. "With these modularly expandable components, we want to offer our customers the best solutions for their punching and bending production" is the drive of Eugenio Lenzotti, who founded the company almost 40 years ago.

From the very beginning, Euromac has been dedicated to the development of machines for cutting and punching sheet metal. From that time, more than 7,000 punching machines have been installed worldwide. Since then, the machines have been continuously improved and optimized, with the Euromac XT series as the latest generation of punching machines. It is available with either hydraulic, electric, or hybrid drive. "The market now demands all-electric, but also has limitations. With our hybrid drive concept, we deliver the best of both technologies. 

Hydraulic for impact force, electric for precise regulation of speed and ram control," explained Eugenio Lenzotti.

Automating punching production

For the standalone XT punching machines, Euromac has developed an automatic loading unit that can be connected plug-and-play to the machine. By connecting the loading system only to the left part of the work table, the punching machine is always accessible for manual sheet insertion. Thanks to its compact size, together with a punch press with a 3 x 1.5 m table, the loading system has a very small footprint of 6.3 x 5 meters.

Removal and sorted stacking 

Automatic removal of sheet results is a next step in automation for which Euromac offers a standard solution with a 70 or 120 kg handling robot on a track, which removes and sorts the sheet results. "With this we offer the possibility to grow from a stand-alone machine to a complete sheet metal working center."

Robotized bending

With a shortage of personnel in the metal industry, it has also become more difficult to find specialized employees who have mastered the craft of chamfering. Of all sheet metal working processes, chamfering requires extensive knowledge and experience to achieve a good end result. Especially when complex workpieces are involved. Euromac has developed a series of standard cells based on bending capacity, bending length and workpiece weight. For automation, Euromac deploys Kuka robots for 10 kg and 70 kg workpiece weight. For gripping sheet results, the robot comes with a gripper equipped with both vacuum suction cups and a magnet for additional pulling force. For high precision small parts, grippers equipped with both a clamp and suction cups are available. Automatic gripper changing is optional. In addition, users can choose between manual tool changing or optionally having the robot perform this.

Based on electrically driven press brake

The FX bend series press brakes form the basis for Euromac bending cells. These electrically driven press brakes are known in the market for their high quality and high performance. The Euromac press brakes are the only ones in the market with a directly driven electric motor. The high torque ensures maximum efficiency and reliability, maximum acceleration (low inertia), power and precision (no deflection of the ball screw when applying force as in conventional press brakes).

Programming 

For programming, Euromac has developed proprietary software available in more than 25 languages based on an intuitive user interface. In addition to programming, the entire process can be pre-tested and simulated. This applies to both punching and bending operations and their automation.

With these developments, in a world where mainly big names dominate, Euromac offers a serious alternative for sheet metal production at a favorable price/quality ratio.