Metalwork CNC Brake Press

[Mudgey]

Evening all,

I am looking into the feasibility of buying a good second hand CNC brake press for folding aluminium and steel sheet metal, max width would be 0.5m, and max thickness would be up to 3mm. Most components are aluminium at 2 to 2.5mm thickness.

My budget is around 15k + VAT for the machinery & basic tooling.

From the guys with experience, what sort of machine should I be looking for, and an I realistically going to find something within that price range?

Cheers!

[stainless_steve]

You could get something cheaper.


eBay item number:
282290653001

[stainless_steve]

eBay item number:
222338652799

[Mudgey]

Ah so much to learn!

Thanks for the recommendations, the size is good and it looks like I could fit that under the Mez at work.

These may seem like simple questions.

Do these have a CNC back stop?
Is the control panel intuitive, easy to program? Do they have limited memory?
Good repeatability?
Generally how reliable are CNC brake presses?
Anything in particular I should stay away from?
Any must have's?

[stainless_steve]

Mudgey said:

Ah so much to learn!

Thanks for the recommendations, the size is good and it looks like I could fit that under the Mez at work.

These may seem like simple questions.

Do these have a CNC back stop?
yes
Is the control panel intuitive, easy to program? Do they have limited memory?
yup easy to use,depends on model but most have memory.
Good repeatability?
yes very
Generally how reliable are CNC brake presses?
very reliable
Anything in particular I should stay away from?
depends how much you will use it.
Any must have's?

Don't buy off ebay.

I would find a local company that sell them and ask for a demo so you know you are getting the right machine for the job.

[stainless_steve]

This should give you an idea how they work



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDdI7AyVaWw

[sassanach0]

stainless_steve said:

You could get something cheaper.


eBay item number:
282290653001

that would be my choice,basically a promecam copy with a bulletproof hurco.

[mel]

http://powellmcneil.com/product.php?id=538&pro...

Five times the machine of the eBay junk, from a good dealer, will hold its value and give many many years of flawless
service with the best backup in the industry, and I'd expect it to be (just) in budget.
I

[stainless_steve]

mel said:

http://powellmcneil.com/product.php?id=538&pro...

Five times the machine of the eBay junk, from a good dealer, will hold its value and give many many years of flawless
service with the best backup in the industry, and I'd expect it to be (just) in budget.
I

Yup we use Amada at work.

[mel]

I'd actually say the most suitable machine for the use you're describing is an
Amada ITS-2 2512 if you can find one, try and make sure it's has a
USB stick update on the drive though as floppy discs are getting harder to find.

[Mudgey]

Thanks to all for the advice. Backup is definitely important and I have only heard good things said about Amada.

I've contacted a few companies selling various machines and will try and organise a few visits.

Exciting times ahead