Metal forming machinery you need to elevate your sheet metal shop’s production

Look around you. The sheet metal machinery on your shop floor is the lifeblood of your business. But as an extension of your workforce, do you know what machines to recruit and what to retire? Whether you’re a large or small shop, any decision to invest in new machinery should be supported by growth. In order to help you start a dialogue, we gathered six machines on the market that can transform your shop today.

1. Hornet HD CNC by Hornet Cutting Systems

Powered by Hypertherm, the Hornet HD CNC by Hornet Cutting Systems plasma cutting machine is more productivity in less time. Cutting accuracy is owed to its precision ground linear rails on both X & Y axis, powerful AC servo motors and low back-lash planetary gear boxes. Other features include a stabilizing gantry beam and cross axis carriage ride on precision ground linear tracks that deliver premium motion control and accuracy. Special options for the machine include Remote CNC Control Pedestal, Plasma Cutting Systems up to 400 Amps, SENSOR Torch Height Control Interface, RSVS-200 Plasma Torch Lifter, and bevel head option.

To request a quote call 844-209-5552 or visit hornetcs.com.

Plasma v. Waterjet Cutting

“Choosing the option of plasma cutting or waterjet cutting basically boils down to the customer’s application(s), tolerance requirements, and budget – what they are willing to spend,” explains Mike Best, executive vice president of Hornet Cutting Systems. “Other factors can be evaluated, but for simplicity, focusing on the customer’s application, productivity, tolerance, and operating cost needs will steer the discussion to the right solution.” View the full article here.

2. Lockformer Vulcan Laser Max by Mestek Machinery

When it comes to cutting systems, Mestek Machinery’s Lockformer Vulcan Laser Max is a masterclass in precision. The Laser Max includes a special patent pending technology that allows the operator to “access parts directly from the table and eliminates the need for a pallet shuttle system.” Running speed is up to 1,400 inches per minute on thinner materials (26ga).

At the Bay Area-based Silicon Valley Mechanical, the shop has been able to nearly double its production by adding the Laser Max to its inventory last fall.

“We needed a company that could tell us what we needed, a business that has been in the HVAC market for a long time and a partner to help us get to where we want to go in this evolving industry,” says SVM operations manager Jeremy Day on the company’s decision to invest in the system. “We have more capabilities now to produce larger orders with a quick turnaround, which also allows us to employ more skilled workers in our shop.”

And when there is a symbiotic relationship between the shop and the brand, it’s a “win-win.”

“It has been a pleasure getting to know Jeremy and Silicon Valley and it has been two-fold. I learned a lot from Jeremy concerning the Bay area and the SMACNA community,” says Mike Bailey VP Sales at Mestek Machinery.

To request a quote, call 319-364-9181 or visit mestekmachinery.com.

3. ADVANCE EVOLUTION E3015-B Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

The E3015-B Fiber Laser Cutting Machine by Advance Cutting Systems may be brand new, but its specs promise world-class precision. The machine comes with a Class ‘A’ full safety enclosure, high speed helical rack and pinion drive system, and a high speed ball screw Z axis — all controlled through the FS-CUT CNC control with CypCut programming software.

Cutting speeds are in excess of 3000 IPM with a 5,511 IPM (140m/min) rapid traverse speed. Other impressive features include an automatic material edge finder, laser marking, a red diode laser pointer and an auto focus cutting head. Because the machine is so brand new, it hasn’t made it into any shop’s production line yet. But you can still see all the specs in action on SNIPSmag.com.

To request a quote, call 1-800-752-1056 or visit advancecutting.com.

4. Torchmate 5100 by Lincoln Electric

There’s a reason why the Torchmate 5100 is Lincoln Electric’s flagship 5x10 CNC plasma cutting machine. It’s built with a high production shop in mind, which means you won’t get your money’s worth if you don’t plan on running it day end and day out. The table’s traverse speed goes up to 1,500 inches per minute and it is “built with encoded servo motors, a helical gear rack, and a lubricated gear-to-gear rack interface.” But the ace in the hole with anything Lincoln Electric is onboard training. Lincoln Electric offers online classes for new operators that allows you to monitor your crew’s progress to ensure they are getting the training they need to operate the table properly.

To request a quote, visit torchmate.com.

5. FS/FX folding machine by CIDAN

When it comes to folding machines, the FS/FX line by CIDAN is touted for its speed and ease of use. It’s built to work long days and will be at home in various environments, including custom manufacturing and repair workshops. CNC-control and back gauges are standard features. But according to the specs of its FX model, a “Combi clamping beam with automatic locking” makes it possible to change tools in less than 10 seconds. Tool changes can be programmed directly in the control and made automatically. Additional highlights, according to CIDAN, include an eccentric drive that minimizes wear and gives the best possible opening and closing speeds drives the clamping beam. This also gives the best possible clamping pressure of 13 tons (14US).

To request a quote, visit cidanmachinery.com.

6. Quantus Fiber Laser by MultiCam

The Quantus Fiber Laser is one of MultiCam’s newest machines on the market and is promoted to quickly give you a return on your investment in a short period of time. Power levels start from 1500 Watts up to 8000 Watts and includes MultiCam’s CNC control software and a laser life of up to 100,000 hours.

“With faster speeds than Plasma and a higher precision than Waterjet, the Quantus is priced well below other traditional Fiber Laser solutions, without any sacrifice in quality,” MultiCam boasts. Whether that claim comes with a catch remains to be seen. But there is no denying the machine’s sturdiness as a versatile system for a shop that does a little of everything.