In metal fabrication, the biggest gains often come from solving the biggest challenges—literally. Large-format parts have long been a bottleneck in bending, demanding multiple operators, slow handling, inconsistent part quality, and are extremely unsafe. But with Starmatik’s robotic automation, paired with Schröder’s advanced folding systems, that bottleneck is eliminated. The result is a fully automated solution for large, heavy, and geometrically challenging parts, the sort where traditional press brakes fall short. Folders have long been the ideal solution for large-format bending, and Starmatik builds on that advantage with automation that’s as straightforward as pick-and-place. Unlike press brakes, where the robot must stay engaged with the part throughout the entire bending process, folder-based automation allows the robot to simply load the flat blank onto the gauge table. From there, the AHS (Advanced Handling System) takes over, feeding and rotating the part through the entire bending sequence before returning it for robotic removal and stacking. The robot’s role is minimal: place the blank, wait, and retrieve the finished form. For large-format parts, nothing could be simpler, or more efficient. Because the robot doesn’t handle the part during the bending sequence, production speed is dictated by how fast the machine can fold, not by how slow the robot manipulates a large unwieldy part. The result is faster cycle times, simpler programming, and a significant boost in output. When paired with a dual-beam folder like the Schröder DuoBend, the capability expands even further. The unique dual folding beam design removes one of the final limitations in sheet forming: the inability to swing around mid-part forms. With Starmatik’s robotic precision and the DuoBend’s geometric freedom, complex large-format profiles that would be nearly impossible on a press brake can now be folded automatically, with no compromises in speed or quality. This isn’t an add-on, it’s a fully integrated cell where the robot and folder operate in unison to streamline programming, automate optimization, and deliver consistent, high-speed production of large parts once thought too large to automate. In a labor-constrained market where quality and throughput must rise without adding headcount, Starmatik gives fabricators a competitive edge, especially in the high-value, large-format segment where conventional bending systems fail. This isn’t just robotic bending; it’s a production strategy for manufacturers who want to scale up without slowing down.
Video:
10 gauge stainless on a MAK4 EVO3 ATC AHS Starmatik
Video:
1/4" U shape on a MAK4 EVO3 ATC AHS Starmatik