Dr. Hochstrate folders to include Pathfinder control

Dr. Hochstrate Maschinenbau has announced it will offer the Pathfinder touchscreen graphic control system on its heavy-duty metal folders. The software requires only the entry of part dimensions and geometry to calculate the bend sequence, so even inexperienced operators can be trained quickly and put into production.

The company's hydraulic bending machines have capacities to 1 in. by 26 ft. and include unique configurations, such as a 1/4-in. by 8-ft.-capacity stainless steel folder with a 23-ft. backgauge.

The folders use the company's proprietary, made-in-house tooling and include nine patented features: hydraulic dynamic crowning; automatic folding beam horizontal-gap adjustment; tilting upper beam; swing-out lower beam; hemming feature with bending and upper beams for forming flat hems up to 10 times material thickness; hot bending for magnesium and other exotic alloys; laser bend angle measurement system; special tooling for bending composite materials; and cone/round bending function.