Fully electric CNC bending machine to launch at Fabtech, Chicago in November

Bending machine manufacturer Inductaflex will launch its first ever fully electric CNC bending machine at Fabtech, North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event at McCormick Place Chicago, between November 9th and 12th.

The all-new AL-1 is intended to provide automotive, aerospace, commercial vehicle and other customers with a cost effective, high precision, multiple bend solution.

AL-1 can bend most materials and profiles, from complicated aluminium extrusions to polished stainless steel tubes. During development, the machine has already demonstrated its capabilities by successfully curving a 45mm wide x 65mm high extruded aluminium window section to a 165mm outside radius and 120mm inside radius - a task that has traditionally been considered to be beyond normal limits for such an extrusion. Inductaflex therefore claims that, even prior to its Fabtech launch, the AL-1 is opening up new possibilities in aluminium glazing section design.

The new Inductaflex unit is also capable of automatically curving up to 10 radii per bar and, according to company Managing Director Craig Barnshaw, can operate with running costs reduced by 70%, in comparison with an equivalent hydraulic machine.

"It's only when you start operating with this type of machinery that you realize there is a problem with some designs. I have spent many years working with all types of bending machine and this has greatly informed my key design philosophies with Inductaflex products. Our goal with AL-1, and indeed our entire range, has been to eliminate some of the frustrations I've experienced using other machines, with a special focus on cost effectiveness and production efficiency."