Machines

Machine Controls

Pines has been making tube and pipe bending machines since 1941. Each machine needed a control to go along with it. Starting with a basic relay style control, moving up through hydraulic logic systems, analog controls, multiple generations of digital controls (from the simplest component logic devices with custom made Pines servo motors, up thru mini-computers and multiple microprocessor systems), we arrive at the latest, but not last, generation of Pines controls.

All developed in house by our own controls department, and with constant feedback from or service department and our customers, we have developed three top tier controls to meet your most demanding needs.

For horizontal or vertical NC machines we offer the PLC based Dial-A-Bend 7 control.

For the Hybrid CNC benders, Pines offers the Legendary TS Control, the first Windows PC based control on the market. Constantly updated and upgraded, it is still the most user-friendly control on the market.

And finally, for our new e-Series all-electric benders, the new E840D control. Using a state-of-the-art safety integrated 10-axis Siemens control we get the best of both worlds. A user friendly, easy to program machine with all the latest features.

Dial-A-Bend® (DAB-7) Manual Rotary Draw and Vertical Bender Control

Dial-A-Bend® (DAB-7) Manual Rotary Draw and Vertical Bender Control

Pines Numerically Controlled (NC or Manual) machines are equipped with a Dial-A-Bend 7 PLC (DAB-7) control and features state of the art Intelligent Motion Control. The large 7” color touch screen allows for easy programming and machine operation. It has user friendly functionality and can store up to 200 different bending programs with alpha-numeric part numbers. Program memory is searchable to speed the retrieval of stored part programs.  Springback calculation, Springback compensation, and Parts Counter are all standard.

Full manual control of all machine functions is provided with machine sequence interlocks where required. This reduces the chance of damaging the machine through inattention, lack of operator training, or improper tool setup. Tooling can be jogged in manual mode. The operator can even make a bend in manual mode that will stop at the preset bend angle.

The Pines Dial-A-Bend 7 control uses advanced hardware and PLC logic to eliminate the problems normally associated with an Emergency Stop situation. On most machines, an Emergency Stop or loss of hydraulic pressure will result in the loss of the part being bent. The tools must be opened manually and the part thrown on the scrap pile. Not so with the Pines Dial-A-Bend. Just restart the pump motor and press the Cycle Forward button to resume the bend. The tools will remain closed at the correct pressure and all machine options will function as though the bend had not been interrupted. The bend die will stop at the correct position with no loss of accuracy.

The Pines Dial-A-Bend control allows for simplified electrical circuitry. When combined with intelligent machine “in sequence” and “error” messages, time spent troubleshooting is greatly reduced.

 

Feature Highlights:

  • Programmable Safety Integrated motion control system with reserve I/O
  • Off the Shelf Components

 

Supported Machine Features:

  • Mandrel Extractor
  • Mandrel Lubricator
  • Pressure Die Assist
  • Laser Scanner / Safety Mats / Light Curtain
  • Independent Clamp and Pressure Die Control
  • Dual Speed Bend Arm
  • Early Mandrel Extract
  • Programmable Spring-back
  • Oscillating Mandrel
  • Master Bar / Pressure Die Hitch
  • Direct Acting Pressure Die
  • Dual Palm Remote Stand
  • Many Additional Features and Machine Configurations Supported

 

“Press and Hold” Feature

Operating a tube bending machine poses several hazards to the machine operator. In keeping with OSHA and other machine building standards, the Pines controller has several features designed to enhance operator safety. When moving the machines components in manual mode two hand control is required. In automatic mode the operator must often hold the part in position so requiring two hand control is not an effective solution. The Pines Press and Hold feature accomplishes much the same task. The operator must press the Cycle Forward pushbutton to start the automatic cycle of operation. The operator must hold this pushbutton down until the tools have closed fully.  Once the bend die starts rotating the operator can release the button. If the operator sees any reason to stop the bend sequence before the tooling is fully closed he can merely release the pushbutton and the tools will automatically open fully.

 

Pressure Die Hitch

The Pressure Die can also be hitch fed for large radius bending. At a specified point in the bend the bend die stops its rotation, the pressure die opens slightly and the masterbar is returned. The pressure die closes again and the bend continues. Multiple hitches can be accomplished in a single bend. This allows the use of a shorter pressure die than would normally be required for a large bend angle on a large centerline radius. This standard feature can greatly reduce tooling costs by eliminating the need for excessively long pressure dies. Machine costs can be reduced as well. A long pressure die needs a long masterbar which needs extra supports which adds cost to the machine.

TS Control for New Hybrid Benders

TS Control – New Hybrid CNC Benders

TS Control System – This state-of-the-art Intelligent Motion Control is a PC-based control running the Windows Operating System with a touch screen. The control features high resolution color graphics with machine images, 3D buttons, scroll bars, graphic icons, and solid-state hard drive for part storage. The control also features: on screen diagnostics, screen display of machine offsets, optimization of machine functions to control bending cycle times, and the ability to Network between bender controls, Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and your master computers.

Machine operation and programing is done through a dedicated software environment. No previous knowledge of Windows is necessary for machine operation. In fact, the operator is functionally isolated from Windows to minimize the chances of unintentional disruption of the operating system. The system is configured for automatic bender operation. The operator only needs to turn the key switch ON.

All necessary controls are available through the touch screen. A mouse and keyboard are provided for access to certain maintenance functions but are not necessary for normal operation.

The TS control supports a wide variety of machine configurations and options including communications with most current measuring systems and multiple CAD interface solutions.

Feature Highlights:

  • Intel i5-6300U Industrial Touch Screen PC with 8Gb DDR4-2400 Ram.
  • Windows 10 Professional 64bit ™ Based Operating System
  • Off the Shelf Components.
  • Keyboard Support.
  • Advanced Self Diagnostics.
  • Detailed Error Messages with Troubleshooting Procedures.
  • Enhanced Error Reporting and Logging.
  • User Configured Levels of Operation.
  • Displays and Rotates Parts In 3D.
  • Edit/Display Part Programs in XYZ, YBC, Absolute modes.
  • Edit/Display Parts Programs in Millimeter, Inches, Or Feet and Inches.
  • Bend in Open Collet, or Closed Collet Mode.
  • Part Programs Can Be Stored Locally or Remotely through a Network Connection.
  • Automatic, Daily, Part Program Backups.
  • Upgraded Servo Drives and motors as option
  • Programming from CAD source (Optional)
  • Production Monitoring (Optional)

Supported Machine Features:

  • Mandrel Extractor
  • Mandrel Lubricator
  • Pressure Die Assist
  • Laser Scanner / Safety Mats / Light Curtain
  • Independent Clamp and Pressure Die Control
  • Dual Speed Bend Arm
  • Booster Programming
  • Early Mandrel Extract
  • Oscillating Mandrel
  • Multi Die Stack Configuration
  • Variable Bend Arm Speed
  • Variable Speed PDA or Booster
  • Variable Pressure PDA or Booster
  • Masterbar Reset
  • Direct Acting Pressure Die
  • Dual Palm Remote Stand
  • Many Additional Features and Machine Configurations Supported

Workstation Software Package for Offline Programming:

This is a PC-based program that allows you to create bend programs remotely for use on your Pines bender. All data entry can be accomplished in the front office freeing up machine time for production. Parts can then be stored to a shared drive for immediate access by the bending machine. The workstation software features:

  • Part program entry from XYZ, or YBC data
  • Part program data conversion to or from XYZ or YBC
  • Part program data conversion to or from absolute or incremental
  • Part program storage on hard disk or USB memory stick
  • Part program reversal and mirror image conversions
  • Graphic display of the part with ability to rotate in any direction.
  • Pines software package complete (no hardware supplied)

Optional Production Monitoring Software:

The production monitoring add-on allows company management to track operation of the bender in real time. The software generates multiple files in CRV format to monitor the machines work history from a production control standpoint. The CRV files can be easily imported into Excel or your own database for data analysis.

  • Review history of both the parts being produced and the bender history
  • Record the production history of a single part being produced on one or more benders. (Multiple benders must share a common part storage area)
  • Record the production history of all parts produced on a single bender
  • Information available for review from average production time per job or shift to detailed time for every completed part
  • Information is saved in a format that can be imported to most databases and spreadsheets.
  • Real time bender monitoring from a remote PC. (Requires customer supplied network able to access the bender’s hard drive)
E840D CNC Control

E840D CNC Control – Electric CNC Bender Control

Designed exclusively for the new Pines e-series all-electric bender, we have the best of both worlds: A PC-based HMI with a graphical user interface and a fully Safety Integrated Siemens 840D 10 axis CNC control. The HMI allows for the same, easy, user-friendly operation and programming one has come to expect from a Pines bender. The PC allows for easy networking with measuring machines, CAD systems, and company servers.

The Siemens CNC control coupled with digital drive technology allows for better management of simultaneous motion with real-time axis control and gearing. New features like carriage push assist and roll bending (calendaring), add versatility to an already robust design.

The Safety-integrated control is programable and allows the end user to monitor safety devices in real time. Spare safety I/O is provided to allow the end user to add safety scanners, curtains and fences. The 840D provides detailed descriptions and solutions to all CNC alarms with a touch of a button. The all-electric machine design provides for a clean, quiet, workplace with minimal machine maintenance requirements.

Feature Highlights:

  • SIMATIC IPC 477E. 22″ Multitouch neutral.
  • Windows 10 Emb loaded with Sinumerik Operate and WinCC RT software
  • Safety Integrated motion control system with reserve I/O
  • Single Block operation for bend recipe troubleshooting
  • Machine operation animation
  • Keyboard with Touch Mouse
  • Advanced Self Diagnostics
  • Detailed Error Messages with Troubleshooting Procedures
  • Built in Siemens CNC Help manuals with descriptions
  • Enhanced Error Reporting and Logging
  • Configurable Levels of Operation
  • Displays and Rotates Parts In 3D
  • Edit/Display Part Programs in XYZ, YBC, Absolute modes
  • Edit/Display Parts Programs in Millimeter, Inches or Feet and Inches
  • Bend in Open Collet or Closed Collet Mode
  • Bend recipes can be Locally or in a Remote PC location through LAN
  • Automatic Part Program Backups
  • Programming from CAD source (Optional)
  • Production Monitoring

Supported Machine Features:

  • Mandrel Extractor
  • Mandrel Lubricator
  • Pressure Die Assist
  • Laser Scanner / Safety Mats / Light Curtain
  • Independent Clamp and Pressure Die Control
  • Early Mandrel Extract
  • Oscillating Mandrel
  • Multi Die Stack Configuration
  • Variable Bend Arm Speed
  • Variable Speed PDA or Booster
  • Variable Force PDA or Booster
  • Masterbar Reset
  • Dual Palm Remote Stand
  • Many Additional Features and Machine Configurations Supported