http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_TechCell.cfm The Folding tech cell is packed with specific links to help you find product information, suppliers, technical articles, case studies, seminars and conferences, as well as books, software, and videos on metal fabricating-related topics. en-us http://www.thefabricator.com/RSS/images/thefabricator_rss.gif http://www.thefabricator.com Copyright 2007 FMA Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. official publication date Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:15:01 AM CDT Vicki Bell Laurie Harshbarger http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_Article.cfm?ID=1663 Changing from manual processes to an automated flexible manufacturing system allows EPMP Ltd. to manufacture complex bent parts such as this one quickly and without the risk of handling damage. It would be an understatement to say that contract manufacturer EPMP Ltd., Seguin, Texas, got off to an inauspicious start. After just four years of operation, Ernest Plant sold the slumping company in 1988. This appeared to be just another short story of a failed start-up manufacturi... Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_Article.cfm?ID=1387 Each of these multibend parts was formed on the same CNC bending line in less than 23 seconds. From left to right, office furniture parts, residential furnace door, part with standing hem, and shelving. Traditionally, a sheet metal component goes through the various shearing, punching, and forming processes in one of two ways, depending on the volume of parts needed. For high-volume parts, these operations can be performed on one coil-fed stamping press that punches the hole det... Gregory Guilfoyle Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_Article.cfm?ID=996 If you're looking for a way to bend sheet metal parts that is not tool- or labor-intensive, a folding machine might be right for your application. A folding machine isn't necessarily the fastest way to bend metal, but for low- to medium-volume production, it can be an efficient and productive way to get the job done. It is important to note that press brakes and folding machines can and should co-exist on the fabrication floor. In many cases, the addition of a folding machine c... Rick Wester, Contributing Writer Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_Article.cfm?ID=789 In particular, sheet metal was used extensively for roofing and building cladding. These applications were well-suited to the swing bending machine’s geometry, and the modern metal folding industry was born. A number of German manufacturers began adding powered backgauges with rudimentary numerical controls in the ’60s. By the ’80s, fully multiaxis computer numerical controllers (CNCs) were applied, and automatic backgauges were added. Folding technology continued to do... Geoff Stone, Contributing Writer Thu, 11 Dec 2003 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Folding/Folding_Article.cfm?ID=117 The company fabricates 20,000 stainless steel refrigerator doors and panels per week for well-known companies such as Whirlpool and General Electric. Pictured are Bernita Lyons, president, with sons Livingston (left) and Keith. "When I went to college in '72, there was a press brake in my basement and a shear in my parents' garage," owner Keith Lyons said. "We used to spray paint parts on sawhorses in the back yard." The company now fabricates 20,000... Kate Bachman, Associate Editor Thu, 13 Mar 2003 12:00:00 AM CST