BLM Group  

46850 Cartier Drive
Novi,  MI  48377

United States
248-560-0080
http://www.blmgroup.com

• Booth: B7513

BLM GROUP is a global leader in tube and sheet metal processing solutions. Its product line includes laser tube and flat sheet cutting, cold sawing, bending, end-forming, end-machining and wire bending machines. The company has more than 60 years of experience and thousands of applications in the development of tube and sheet metal fabrication equipment. With headquarters in Italy, BLM GROUP USA, in Novi, Michigan, provides tube processing solutions, equipment demonstrations, service and parts support, application development, and training to the United States and Canada.

 Press Releases

• BLM GROUP Debuts LS7 Sheet Laser Cutter at FABTECH 2022 (Oct 12, 2022)

  At FABTECH 2022 in booth #B7513, BLM GROUP will demonstrate its new LS7 sheet laser cutting machine that features axis acceleration up to 2g and up to a 12kW fiber laser source, enabling it to achieve very fast cutting speeds. Additionally, pallet changeovers only take nine seconds, making this an extremely productive system.

  Other features of the LS7 include Plug & Play operations that leads to fast and easy equipment setup, ability to integrate with ERP systems, as well as material handling and storage systems, leading to better interconnectivity.

  The LS7 can cut steel, stainless steel, iron, copper, brass, and aluminum in sheet sizes up to 162" x 79" in thicknesses from 0.20” to 1.57”, or even double sheets, depending upon the material and selected laser power. Users can add automatic sheet loading and unloading or a storage tower for automated material type and thickness changeovers, which is especially well-suited for unmanned operations.

  The system comes equipped with the company’s patented Active Tools, which automatically adapt process parameters for optimal results independent of operator experience, ensuring the highest cutting precision and speed. Additionally, an Active Nozzle Changing feature automatically monitors the wear of the cutting nozzle and exchanges it based upon the condition set within the controller.

  As with all BLM GROUP equipment, the LS7 is designed for ease of use. The machine’s CNC contains instruction manuals, maintenance tutorials, exploded drawings to identify spare parts, and video guides for ‘how to use’ tutorials.

  More information on the LS7 is available at LS7 Sheet Lasers.

  # # #

• BLM GROUP DEMONSTRATES LT-FREE ONE-FLEX 5-AXIS LASER CUTTING SYSTEM AT FABTECH (Oct 28, 2022)

  In booth #B7513 at FABTECH 2022, BLM GROUP will demonstrate the LT-FREE One-Flex 5-axis Laser Cutting System for laser cutting bent and hydroformed tubes, flat and deep-drawn sheets, and welded assemblies. This system features one robot and one 3D cutting head with 3kW power and a 120” x 39” table. The on-floor system will be providing processing demonstrations on different material samples, including:

  • A Y-shaped manifold-like bent tube part, demonstrating the flexibility of the robot manipulation;
  • Cutting geometries on the faces of sheet metal components bent on the ProBend press brake;
  • An extruded aluminum profile.

  The LT-FREE, available with fiber laser power up to 4kW, is ideal for machining mild steel, copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.  There are no limits to part access; trimming and feature cutting can be achieved right on the bend accurately and repeatably.
  
  Efficient and easy to operate, users just select material type and thickness from the intuitive controller, and the machine will automatically set the cutting parameters and the optimal focus position. Traditional cutting, drilling, punching, milling and deburring operations, which are normally carried out in sequence, can now be performed on a single machine. This eliminates set up and “work-in-progress” inventory, as well as reducing material handling to streamline the entire process.

  Different material handling configurations are offered to meet specific production needs, while always guaranteeing the flexibility and productivity typical of this 5-axis laser cutting system.

  The system is equipped with the optional user-friendly CAD/CAM software to create part programs of any complexity in a simple 3D graphical environment.

• BLM GROUP DEMONSTRATES 4-RUNNER MODULAR TUBE FORMING MACHINE AT FABTECH (Oct 28, 2022)

  In booth #B7513 at FABTECH 2022, BLM GROUP is demonstrating its 4-RUNNER H3 SG modular tube forming machine, highlighting its ability to de-coil/straighten, end form, bend and cut from coil stock all in one piece of equipment. The featured system will process an HVAC style part with the 4-RUNNER well-suited for making pipes for carrying fluids, typically for the automotive, air conditioning, heating and refrigeration industries.

  Demo Specifications: The 4-RUNNER will feed from a coil of copper tube, in 19.1mm OD x 0.89mm wt, into the straightening section of the 4-runner. After straightening the tube end will be end- formed before bending. After bending is completed then the tube will be cut with the external cutting unit and offloaded with the gripper arm. 

  The 4-RUNNER is configured with a 2-stack draw bend tool set using a 28.5mm centerline (CLR) bend radius. There is one stack with standard clamp and one stack with a compound clamp to grip on the formed end of the tube.

  More on the 4-Runner:  The 4-RUNNER H3 straightens, shapes, cuts and bends, with flexion or variable radius method. It can perform multi-radius right-hand and left-hand bending operations and can work diameters up to 22 mm (.866”) from coil.  It can be equipped with the most ideal cutting device based upon the application. This includes internal or external orbital cutting operated by two axes or disc cutting, controlled by one axis. 

  All machine movements are managed by an electric axis with all part positions and power parameters saved together in the part program. No additional mechanical adjustments are required, helping the system achieve both fast setup and accurate positioning of all production phases and maximum repeatability.

• BLM GROUP DEMONSTRATES E-TURN ALL-ELECTRIC TUBE BENDER WITH AUTOMATED LOADING (Oct 28, 2022)

  In booth #B7513 at FABTECH 2022, BLM GROUP is demonstrating its E-TURN all-electric tube bender in conjunction with an AL5 automatic tube loader. The system will be shown bending a seat frame part, highlighting E-TURN’s LH and RH bending capability.
  

  Demo Specifications:  The part will be bent with 25.4mm OD x1.65mm wt. 304SS bent using draw bending and variable radius (VR) bending technologies. The E-TURN will be configured with 63.5mm Centerline Radius (CLR) draw bending tools and Variable Radius (VR) tooling on both the left and right heads of the machine.

  The AL5 loader will accept a bundle of raw material that it will separate out for loading into the E-TURN 40. The articulated head of the E-TURN 40 will utilize the bend tooling to clamp the tube and bring it to the collet for bending. The tube will be bent utilizing both the LH and RH draw and VR bending tools. After bending the tube will be automatically off loaded utilizing the bending head. 

  About the E-TURN:  The E-TURN’s all-electric drive ensures precision control of the 15-axes movements, providing consistency, high accuracy, perfect quality bends and zero scrap. Tubes in most materials and section types—such as round, square, rectangle, flat sided, oval and elliptical—can be automatically loaded, bent and unloaded. The flexibility, accuracy and speed of the E-TURN makes it well suited for furniture, automotive, job shop, motorcycle and hydraulic pipe construction applications.

  A key differentiator of the E-TURN is the VGP3D programming and 3D simulation software.  By simply inputting the component bend coordinates, the complete bending program is graphically simulated, highlighting potential collision risks and producing the optimal working cycle. Component feasibility is checked virtually, eliminating the need for prototype tooling or physical testing on the machine.  Unloading of the finished component is also automatically managed by VGP3D, with the 180-degree head rotation allowing the component to be unloaded in the position required.

  Changeover times are significantly reduced and machine-setup simplified as all the critical settings for the machine tooling are managed automatically by the CNC, including clamps, pressure die, mandrel position, retraction, center line radius, etc. Additionally, the self-calibration feature enables true simultaneous axis movement with automatic adjustment of these settings.

  The all-electric technology of the E-TURN offers reduced power consumption, typically offering 80% savings as compared to conventional hydraulic bending machines. Maintenance is also reduced due to simplified cabling and components.

  The E-TURN is available in four sizes capable of handling maximum tube O.D. capacity ranging from 30mm x 2mm (1.18-in. x 0.079-in.) up to 50.8mm x 1.5mm (2-in. x 0.059-in.). Depending on the system, the E-TURN offers a minimum bending radius of 25 – 35mm and a maximum bending radius of 150 to 165mm.

• BLM GROUP DEMONSTRATES LT7 LASERTUBE WITH INSERTION UNIT AT FABTECH (Oct 28, 2022)

  At FABTECH 2022 in booth #B7513, BLM GROUP USA is demonstrating its LT7 lasertube with 5kW laser power and  a new thread insert unit, which automatically installs thread inserts into laser cut/drilled holes using press fitting.  A simple and widely relied upon joining technique, press fitting relies upon force and friction to hold two components together. A patent-pending technology exclusive to BLM GROUP, this inserter unit simplifies and shortens the processing time required for mating an insert with a tubular component.
   

  The thread insert is an ideal solution for thin wall tubes, which are not sufficient for standard threads, and an ideal partner with the BLM GROUP LT7 machine. The system is capable of handling threaded hexagonal inserts from M4 to M12 with automatic checks to ensure proper insertion. Post-laser cutting, the time to install inserts is only nine to 11 seconds/insert.

  The LT7 tube cutting laser system is capable of handling tubes from 0.5” to 6”, and up to 15.4 lbs./ft., and is available with either a 3 kW, 4kW or 5kW fiber laser. It features a 3D tilt cutting head and can perform high-precision angular cuts in round, square, triangular and special shapes. It also offers automated changeover for maximum productivity. At the end of each batch, the loader, spindle, steady rest and intermediate supports automatically adapt to the new section to be cut without any interruption of the production cycle.

  Programming
  BLM Group’s Artube software makes for easy offline programming accommodation for the insertion process inside the same software for all other part programming. Programming on the machine then takes place automatically, while allowing the operator to maximize production. 

• BLM GROUP DEMONSTRATES PROBEND ELECTRIC PRESS BRAKE AT FABTECH 2022 (Oct 28, 2022)

  In booth #B7513 at FABTECH 2022, BLM GROUP will demonstrate its E-Series ProBend press brake, available in sizes from 44 – 276 ton models which are capable of handling bending lengths of 4’ – 17’.  These high-precision press brakes offer reliability, high productivity, and are a perfect complement to the company’s flat sheet lasers.
  
  The direct-drive design of this E-Series ProBend press brake features a ball screw directly connected to the torque motor, eliminating gear boxes and belts for fewer moving components. This precision Y1/Y2 press brake with positioning and repeatability of ±0.0001" is energy efficient, provides noise and maintenance-free operation as well as extremely fast approach, bending and ram return speeds. The E-Series comes standard with a substantial amount of stroke and open height compared to industry standards, benefitting deep box or special forming needs. Built for optimum accuracy and high speeds on all 6-axes, the E-Series’ CNC-controlled backgauge meets the demands of the most complex sheet metal applications for high-production manufacturing.

  The ProBend comes with a state-of-the-art 21.5” touchscreen console, enabling graphical or direct mode programming directly on the machine or offline. The console includes integrated views for various OLP software applications. The software automatically generates the part program from the imported CAD model and calculates the optimal bend sequence, stop positions, and tooling set-up.  A complete bending simulation, with automatic validations and checks, allows the user to verify the entire bending cycle and begin producing parts, correctly, from the start.
  
  For more information on the new ProBend press brakes, visit https://www.blmgroup.com/en-us/press-brake/probend

 Products