Press brakes used in tandem can be easily synchronized and are often easier to use in precision applications than one large press brake. We can synchronize these press brakes using CNC controls. This type of control offers extreme precision and synchronicity. We can program these to complete practically any type of application you are interested in using the tandem press brake for. If you choose to move these press brakes and use them for individual, smaller applications in the future; they will already be ready to use with a high quality CNC control. CNC controls take into account all aspects of your tandem press brake application including length of material, gauge of material, bending length, and tool details. Each aspect of the job is programmed to achieve the optimal outcome with maximum efficiency. This can severely reduce your costs of labor and excess material or byproduct waste. CNC controls determine the necessary bend force required for the desired bend stroke so you always get the right bend for any application. Additional advantages of using a CNC control to synchronize press brakes in tandem include:
• Automatic positioning of the back gauge
• Programming of practical bending sequence
• Calculation of bottom dead center for accurate bending angle and top dead center
• Program various bending speeds
• Ability to select manual, semi-automatic, or automatic working modes for your project
Using CNC controls to achieve complete synchronicity of press brakes used in tandem make it possible to achieve optimal results for any application. Practically every aspect of your press brake application can be automated with the advanced technology of a CNC control. This type of control can even be removed from either of the press brakes to use on another machine if your future needs require it. For extreme precision, automation, and synchronicity, a CNC control is the right choice for your tandem press brakes. Call one of the tandem press brake or CNC control experts at JMT today for any additional questions you have about synchronizing your tandem press brakes with a CNC control.

How Are Tandem Brakes Kept Synchronized? JMT USA

Why Would I Want to Use a Tandem Press Brake? JMT USA

Greater Precision than a 3-Roll.

Four roll plate rolls are more precise, productive, versatile, faster, safer and easier to operate than three roll machines. They are less dependent on operator competence. They are ideal for bending plates up to 6″ thick.

• The fastest and most accurate bends are made by four roll machines. The plate is held securely in place between the top and bottom rolls while the side rolls move vertically to create the bend.

• The bottom roll moves up to hold the plate securely against the top roll while the side roll is raised to form an accurate pre-bend, minimizing the flat zone on the plate edge. Pre-bending on a three roll machine requires that plates be tilted down as they are being fed. In contrast, plates are loaded horizontally at the feed level for pre-bending on a four roll machine, which allows the use of horizontal motorized roller tables to help feed the plate.

• Plate feeding can take place on either side of a four roll machine. If fed from only one side, they can even be placed close to a wall to save floor space.

• The side rolls are positioned to the right and left of the bottom roll and are on their own axes. The independent axis of each roll helps make a perfect bend. The “back” side roll (at the far side of the feeding point) also functions as a back gauge to square the plate for proper alignment. This eliminates the need for someone to assist the operator.

• The plate is kept square without slipping during both pre-bending and rolling because of the constant secure clamping of the top and bottom rolls.

• Four roll machines do not require the operator to remove, flip, and then try to square and reposition the plate a second time after pre-bending, as is the case with three roll IP machines. Keeping the material in the machine makes four rolls 50% more efficient than three roll IP machines, and allows a cylinder to be rolled to the required diameter immediately following pre-bending.

• Bending the back edge takes place after the cylinder is rolled, for a one direction, single pass operation.

• Cone rolling is easier on a four roll machine. The side rolls can be tilted to establish the cone angle and the bottom roll can also be tilted to clamp and drive the plate. (This is a standard feature on JMT plate rolls.)

• Four roll machines can effectively make use of NC and CNC controls because of the constant clamping and driving of the material during all steps of rolling. Bending difficult shapes like polycentric or elliptic work pieces can be easily done with JMT CNC four roll machines.

Call JMT today for your 4-Roll Plate Bending Machine at (855) 773-7727

What Are the Benefits of Using a 4-Roll Plate Bending Machine? JMT USA

Plasma cutters are very useful and efficient tools for the right applications. Plasma has come a long way over the years with improvements in hole cutting, energy efficiency, speed, ease of operation and programming, just to name a few areas.  In fact, there are many part-cutting scenarios that might have been exclusively laser applications in the past that now would be a good fit for using a decent plasma system.

A good plasma machine should be easy to operate and capable of simple programming with CAD CAM software that makes it quick and easy to convert and transfer DXF and DWG files to the machine for cutting.

Most of the quality plasma machines today are faster and more environmentally friendly, utilizing fume extraction systems that disperse the thermal dust particles that are created, providing a cleaner and safer work environment.

One nice feature on some of the machines in the industry is cutting tables with “zones.” Each zone is equipped with an electro pneumatic switch which is automatically controlled by the CNC when the torch is cutting in that zone. This enhances exhaust capabilities and reduces the size requirements of the filtration system.

My observation is that the majority of the plasma cutters in the marketplace are using Hypertherm for their power source. Hypertherm has done a great job with their high definition cutting technology that focuses the plasmas arc in a way that improves stability and energy for more powerful precision cutting. The narrow kerf width enables fine feature cutting and minimizes material waste.

A milestone achievement in the industry is Hypertherm’s patented True Hole (TM) technology for mild steel, which produces significantly better hole quality than what had been previously possible using plasma. Achieved automatically without operator intervention, this technology surpasses any of Hypertherm’s competition for hole cutting. They also feature a nice remote pendant control, the Hypertherm THC for torch height control.

If you are in the market for hot metal cutting, you’ve probably heard quite a bit of “buzz” in the industry about fiber laser machines these days. In spite of their allure, I would encourage you to look into the recent improvements in plasma cutters and ask your machine tool consultants their honest opinion of whether a plasma cutting machine would make more sense for your operation. When compared to the high dollar amount of a new fiber laser, you might be pleasantly surprised at the value a quality plasma machine could bring to your metal-working business.

What’s So Hot About Plasma Cutters? JMT USA

Advantages of a Hybrid Brake

Green. When you are considering the advantages of aservo press brake, the first thing to look at is energy savings. Hybrid servo brakes are true green machines. Using the JMT AD-SERVO brake as an example, a user is going to have a 62% energy savings while in standby mode, 44% savings during the press cycle and 60% savings over one hour with 15 press cycles. That’s a very big deal when you are looking at saving energy and operating costs.

Quiet. One thing that I personally love about the servo is that when it’s in standby mode and not moving, it’s running silently, helping keep your shop quiet. Another benefit is the reduction in size of the hydraulic oil tank. Instead of a standard 60 gallon tank, the AD-SERVO utilizes two 10 gallon tanks, one on each side of the machine.

Accurate. Servo press brakes are much more accurate than standard brakes. Each side of a servo press brake is independently operated by its own hydraulic system, with each cylinder having its own servo motor and valve controlling it. Beyond the accuracy of the scale we have each servo motor measuring and controlling the amount of fluid that we’re pushing through the valves. So it’s more controlled, on command, like a direct drive system. It’s very fast and very, very accurate, with accuracies into the microns.

Fast. Servo press brakes are faster. When it comes to beam speed, you are looking at about 472 inches per minute on a JMT AD-SERVO, and we can make that even higher with optional laser safety guarding (which is an OSHA standard).

Safe. Safety is something that we are very focused on here at JMT. With the addition of a laser safety system to a servo brake, not only do you have a very fast and very productive machine, but also one that’s very safe as well.

Affordable. When you pair these advantages up with the large open height, stroke and throat depth, you get a machine that’s pretty hard to beat. And most of time our AD-SERVO brake is more competitively priced than the competitions’ hydraulic machines.

Next Generation. The servo is a machine that takes us into the next generation of press brakes. While there are fully electric brakes out there — which obviously have their place — they’re extremely expensive. The AD-SERVO from JMT is not only the next level in press brakes, it is offered at a very, very competitive price.

Call JMT today for your  at (855)773-7727

Learn about JMT brakes atwww.PressBrake.com.

Why Get a Servo Press Brake? JMT USA

What Is the Correct Way to Break in a New Band Saw Blade? JMT USA

Angle rolls, profile rolls, section rolls, or even the generic term “roller” have been terms people use when referring to the type of machine that makes round bends in angle iron and other profiles. These machines are very common in facilities where profiles need to be formed into a radius or diameter of a certain size. The most common types of profiles used in this equipment are angle iron, solid square, solid rectangle, round tubing, and pipe.

Angle roll machines can be versatile for the various types of material being used, which is why there is such a wide variety of these machines found in the marketplace. From companies rolling rings for the ends of tanks to firms making large radius bends for structural applications to ornamental iron companies rolling pipe for hand rails and gates, the applications are nearly endless.

Our JMT angle rolls come standard with a set of dies included with the machine, giving customers versatility from the start. Each die has a different radius (radii) on each edge, so depending  on the different sizes of angle iron you use, you would be able to match the radii on the correct die with the angle iron, certain types of channel, T section,  or C section material.

There are some things to consider when looking at getting this equipment. First and foremost, what size of machine do you need and what do you need it to do? Some things to look at would be the thickest type of material you want to use and how close of a diameter you want to achieve. Calculating these would be a good starting point for determining how big or small of a machine you need. You obviously don’t want to purchase an angle roll machine that is much too big for what you intend to do with it. On the other hand, you don’t want to “max out” the machine capacity every time you use it. Doing so is very hard on the machine, and is especially taxing to the shafts, the hydraulics (if so equipped) and the gears. In addition, look at how small of a diameter you want to achieve, as that will also help determine the size of machine that will fit your specific needs.

When shopping for a new piece of equipment, it is always a good idea to deal with a professional who has more experience than you with that particular type of machines.  This will save both money and frustration in the long run, and will insure you are getting the right machine and are ultimately happy with your purchase. JMT is good example of an organization that has an incredible amount of experience and expertise in the arena of angle rolls to help you through this process. Visit us at www.JMTUSA.com and www.AngleRoll.com to get an idea of the kind of equipment and experience we can offer you.

Call JMT today to learn more about Angle Roll Features at (855)773-7727

What Should I Look For in an Angle Roll? JMT USA

The mishandling of material is a very frequent cause of injury in the workplace. Most material handling injuries tend to be musculoskeletal-related, which can range from minor sprains to more serious ailments like in vertebral disk injuries. Many of these injuries result from bad material handling and lifting techniques. Other factors that cause these types injuries can be from prolonged awkward postures or positions and from continual repetitive motions.

Some of the most common injuries from material handling occur in the joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons and nerves of the neck, arms, legs and abdomen. Eventually, long-term damage may develop in the form of a repetitive strain injury, occupational overuse syndrome, or cumulative trauma disorder.

Some of the most common material handling and lifting problems (and their solutions) are:

• Lifting with back bent and legs straight — keep back straight and bend your knees
• Holding load too far from body — hold load as close to body as possible
• Twisting while lifting — adapt your lifting style to avoid twisting, such as using the “Pivot Technique”
• Losing balance during a lift — keep a wide, balanced stance with feet generally shoulder width apart
• Poor coordination between two or more people during the lift — communicate and plan the lift together in order to coordinate your lifting actions

Following these brief techniques can help to eliminate prolonged or even permanent back damage and other injuries.

Call JMT today for your Material Handling information at (855)773-7727

What Difference Does it Make How I Lift Material? JMT USA

Owner’s manuals are more important than you may think. Aside from the operational information in them they are extremely important when ordering parts and tooling. Machine tool dealers should especially make sure their customers know how to utilize their manuals effectively.

At some point every machine is going to need parts, regardless of the manufacturer. The drawings and diagrams in the manual are essential, first for identifying the correct parts, second for being able to locate the corresponding part number from the list. Even if your machine is no longer in production, having the correct number is a good place to start in finding a suitable replacement. When you guess which parts you need it will only cost you more time, money and aggravation in the long run.

It is vital to recognize that a call out number on a machine diagram is not the same as the part number. The call out number on the drawing corresponds with the same number on the parts list, which then gives the part number and description. In order to get the most efficient service when calling a parts supplier, you need to have the actual part number. This eliminates guesswork so that you get the correct part the first time. It is also a good practice to scan the page from the manual with the required items circled as well as to photograph the old parts. You can submit these images via email or fax to your supplier to help identify the parts.

Why Do I Need to Save My Machine Manual? JMT USA

A metal fabrication facility presents many potential hazards in its workplace environment.  In recent years, the rate of non-fatal injuries within the industry has significantly dropped, indicating both the use of safer equipment as well as the implementation of stricter safety regulations. One practice that has helped facilitate this decrease is the use of proper machine guarding and devices.

Methods of protecting against hazards include:

• Guards. Machine guards provide a barrier between the operator and the hazards of the machine, whether from a broken piece of metal that flies off or from the operator getting caught in the moving parts. Machine guards can be fixed, interlocked, adjustable, or self-adjusting. Fixed guards are the best method of guarding and are a permanent part of the machine.
• Devices. Along with guards, other safety devices can be used, such as pullbacks, restraints, safety controls, gates and presence sensing devices like lasers.

• Location or Distance. Hazards can also be protected against by the location or distance of the guards. The OSHA 0-10 table in 29 CFR 1910.217 lists the distances that guards should be positioned from the danger line in accordance with the required openings.
• Feeding Devices. The use of material feeding equipment can not only speed up the rate of production, but also reduces risks encountered when an operator is putting material into the machine by hand. Both feeding and material ejecting devices are available, either with semiautomatic or automatic operation, including robots.
• Miscellaneous Aids. Other safety accessories can also be added to your machine, such as awareness barriers such as light curtains and transparent protective shields.

Implementing a mix of these protective measures will greatly increase the safety and health of the employees operating your machinery and in turn improve productivity and your overall bottom line.

Call JMT today for your Machine Guards and machine safety devices at (855)773-7727

What Machine Guards and Devices Should I Use? JMT USA