For more than 20 years, MicroStep Europa GmbH has been supplying companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with cutting-edge technology - with a focus on efficient and precise metal processing. "Our focus is always on offering customers the best solution tailored to their specific needs. In the CNC cutting systems segment, we are a reliable partner for more than 1,000 customers in German-speaking countries alone," says Johannes Ried, Managing Director of the company based in Bad Wörishofen, Bavaria.

MicroStep Europa GmbH has now decided to offer its customers innovative solutions for bending sheet metal in addition to state-of-the-art cutting technology: Under the MicroStep Industry label, the company, together with its Italian partner LAG Machinery S.r.l., is launching press brakes on the market that are characterized by unique technologies:

Automatic restoration of the lateral projection

The G-Flex system perfectly corrects the unavoidable deformation of the side uprights during the pressing process (see illustration). Without this correction, the bending tools would not plunge deep enough into the sheet metal being processed to create the exact angle required. In principle, the system works as follows: Sensors record the deviation of the upper beam in the X and Y directions caused by the stand expansion. These deviations are automatically compensated for by the CNC control system in real time during the bending process.

Dynamic crowning with auto-compensation

With this solution, the curvature along the bending axis is measured in real time by an upper and a lower sensor measuring system and compensated fully automatically without operator intervention. This ensures a precise angle that is constantly guaranteed over the entire length of the bent part.

Rotary axis concept

The lower beam of the MicroStep Industry press brakes consists of three separate parts that are flexibly connected to each other at two points directly under the press cylinders by a stable bolt system and are not welded together. This unique rotary axis system enables extremely precise crowning, as the lower center beam and the upper beam are always aligned perfectly, homogeneously and with low stress. As a result, bending errors due to inhomogeneous curvature of the lower central crosspiece are ruled out.

"The combination of G-Flex with the G-Axis rotary axis concept and the G-CS dynamic crowning system produces a uniquely homogeneous bending curve - this is how we ensure a reliable and perfect bending and angular result in every position of our innovative press brakes," explains Jörg Schönfeld, application engineer for press brake technology at MicroStep Europa GmbH.

Fully bolted construction offers numerous advantages

In addition to other sensor-supported assistance systems, press brakes from MicroStep Industry also have another special feature: "Although they are much more complex to manufacture, we have opted for a fully bolted design," says Schönfeld. From his point of view, however, this has a whole range of advantages: This is because far greater precision can be achieved in terms of the machine design, which then also guarantees the best possible precision in the bending result. Compared to welded constructions, there is also no heat input into the material with the bolted version. This means that there are no tensions that could lead to unwanted deformation of the system and therefore to inaccuracies. Another plus point: With this design, parts can be easily replaced. In addition, a press brake from MicroStep Industry can be delivered in individual modules and can therefore also be installed in places that are difficult to access.

Reliable tandem, tridem and automation solutions

The range includes a total of four series - from the compact entry-level model to the individually configurable high-tech press, which can be precisely tailored to the customer's needs, not only in terms of bending force and bending length. When it comes to equipment, MicroStep Industry relies consistently on high-quality components from well-known brand manufacturers - for example, control technology from ESA or DELEM or tool holders from Promecam or WILA.

Tandem and tridem solutions can be realized as well as automation solutions: From small, compact bending cells to fully automated folding production lines - MicroStep Industry offers a perfect solution for almost every challenge.

"If you want to achieve high-quality and efficient bending with process reliability and less dependence on the skills and experience of the operator in question, you should definitely get in touch with us. Our innovative bending technologies can save users a lot of waste, time and energy," says Johannes Ried, Managing Director of MicroStep Europe.