31 Jan The advantages of automated bending

Automation is entering more areas of manufacturing at the moment, streamlining vital processes, reducing waste and allowing firm to reallocate resources efficiently.

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Some people are sceptical over how automation and AI can and should be applied in the world, but it has significant upsides as well.

Automated bending is one area that is provoking a lot of interest and discussion at the moment, so here is a quick look at the advantages it offers over traditional techniques for manipulating materials.

Improved productivity

By automating the processes involved with bending metals, it is possible to dramatically increase the output and adjust the range on bending machines, which would otherwise require a degree of operator interaction.

Productivity can also be increased because automated bending machines can be deployed over greater periods, allowing for round-the-clock work with minimal downtime.

Consistency

A more manual approach to bending can deliver different results, with a degree of wastage inevitable when human error enters the equation.

Automated bending, on the other hand, is able to ensure consistency from the moment the machine is activated to the point at which it is powered down, with a host of sensory hardware ensuring that mistakes are minimised and precision is at the top of the agenda.

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Problem solving

Automation of folding is not just challenging in terms of executing the process itself, but also when it comes to planning the best approach to take.

Modern software simplifies this, applying a machine learning approach to getting around some of the trickier problems that might be faced and making it much quicker to come to a suitable solution at the planning stage.

Filling the skill gap

Many businesses may find that even if they have equipment on hand to take care of bending tasks, actually being able to access the workers who have the right skill set to operate it effectively is an insurmountable obstacle.

Human jobs will not be lost if they are not being filled in the first place, and automated bending machines can help take up the slack if there is a dearth of suitable candidates.

Revenue generation

Because automation allows for better productivity, lower running costs, less downtime and improved consistency and quality, the result is that companies that deploy it for bending can make more money, which is ultimately the most desirable outcome.