TPT September 2015

Bending machinery & tools

New UK bending machine manufacturer reports early international success

exclusive distributor for its induction and aluminium extrusion bending machines throughout North America. Commenting on the appointment, Mr Barnshaw said: “With so much experience in the field of metal bending Trilogy were the natural partner for us.” With roots dating back to the 1970s, Trilogy is a North American distributor of metal fabricating machinery. It is also the exclusive North American distributor for Roundo plate and angle bending rolls, and exclusive US distributor for Sunrise ironworkers and punching machines. Trilogy occupies a modern, 58,000ft 2 facility complete with 20-ton overhead crane capacity, over 3,500ft 2 of office space and a 5,000ft 2 showroom, where it can demonstrate under power the full line of machinery, including machines equipped with CNC controls. “Customers for aluminium extrusion curving machines can have samples of their products tested to ensure the highest quality results,” added Mr Barnshaw. Inductaflex is planning to increase awareness in the USA by exhibiting at FABTECH, North America’s largest metal forming, fabrication, welding and finishing exhibition at McCormick Place in Chicago between 9 and 12 November.

Mr Barnshaw, who has more than 27 years of metal bending experience, claims that Inductaflex is offering one of the most flexible machines on the market, with the built-in ability to bend all sections, including pipes, beams, square and rectangular tubes and HSS. Pipe capacity ranges from 3" to 84". “We use patented technology that makes the machines extremely efficient. Unique special adapters control distortion and are available for different shapes.” Inductaflex has also launched the world’s first induction bending machine specifically designed for the offshore construction and renewable market. Designed by Mr Barnshaw, the machine can form the entire range of sections for the sector. J tubes up to 686mm diameter are accurately formed in lengths up to 30m for the cables. Platform support rings up to 500 x 300 RHS (20" x 12" HSS) are formed free from distortion for easier fabrication. The machine can form bends from all offshore pipe grades with monitoring of the parameters that meet all the standard specifications including ISO 15590-1, TPA-IBS-98, ASME B31.1 and CSA Z245.11-05. Another significant development was recently announced with the appointment of Baltimore-based Trilogy Machinery as Inductaflex’s

A NEW UK-based manufacturer of bending machines is enjoying early international success. Shropshire-based Inductaflex Limited was formed last year by leading metal forming engineer Craig Barnshaw, formerly of Barnshaws Group, one of the world’s largest metal bending organisations. With a US agent already appointed and recent machine orders for a Canadian metal bending specialist, plus another for a petrochemical company in the Middle East, Inductaflex is off to a flying start. “I created Inductaflex to fill a very specific gap in the market. I actually started manufacturing induction benders in 2010 for internal use at Barnshaws. I developed three machines and started to assist companies in the development of induction bending. “It was apparent, however, that all the companies in the market were offering very expensive solutions which, although amazing machines, were simply out of reach for all but the largest contractors. I therefore decided to concentrate on making affordable solutions for smaller companies and specialist metal bending sub-contractors. “I also wanted to offer machines that were capable of providing much larger bending radii, instead of the traditional maximum of 5D bends. The 30" pipe capacity, TUV-SUD approved induction bending machine we’ve just installed in Canada offers radii of up to 16m, with an option of bends up to 250m radius. This will give the client a unique capability in their region. “With special attachments, structural beams can be curved, free of twist and distortion, using a unique torsion clamp on the machine. The technology is similar to that used in magnetic body scanners produced for medical use and the machine is highly efficient, with a power factor of over 96 per cent and recycling 100 per cent of the water used,” he added. A Siemens PLC system controls machine movements with Rexroth hydraulics, and a Beijer touchscreen controls all operations and records critical parameters.

Inductaflex – UK Website: www.inductaflex.com

Inductaflex has recently installed a 30" pipe capacity induction bending machine for a Canadian client

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S eptember 2015