Can-Am Tube Tech

CNC and NC Tube Benders From Alpine

Fairing is pleased to introduce the Alpine brand of tube bending machines. UTE and Fairing have agreed to work together in the Eastern half of the USA.

Alpine provides very flexible and sophisticated multi axis CNC tube bending machines that lend themselves well to automation in a work cell or stand alone operation. These machines are very popular in the automotive, furniture, bicycle, HVAC, and aerospace industries. The basic machine includes the controller, a mandrel extraction unit, pressure die assist, and a wiper die mount and is an economical solution for forming simple parts quickly and accurately. With the proper options they are excellent for forming complex parts with a variety of radii and little to no straight between bends.

	Alpine 75mm (2.9") AEMB All Electric CNC Bi-Directional tube bender.		Alpine 15mm (0.6") AEMB All Electric CNC Bi-Directional tube bender.
	Alpine 80mm (3.1") ETR-RBE Electric Hybrid CNC tube bender.		Alpine 50mm (2") ED Electric Hybrid CNC tube bender.
	Alpine 30mm (1.2") AEMR All Electric CNC Bi-Directional tube bender.		Alpine 150mm (6") HD CNC tube bender.
	Alpine 120mm (4.7") NC-CBF tube bender.		Alpine 38mm (1.5") ETR-RBE Electric Hybrid CNC tube bender.

The following table describes available Alpine machine configurations. Y stands for Distance Between Bends, B for Plane of Bend, C for Degree of Bend, X for bend head Left or Right, and Z for bend head Up or Down.

Table of Contents

Control set.
General features for Alpine 18 to 220mm rotary draw type tube benders.
Options for Alpine 18 to 220mm rotary draw type tube benders.
Contact CATT. For more information

Control set:

General:

• An Alpine bender operates from a PC running Windows XP with Visual Basic software and a PLC to coordinate the various motions.
• A keyboard, mouse, LAN, and touch screen monitor are provided.
• The Alpine series is easy to program, it accepts normal bent part descriptions (XYZ's or LRA's) and converts them internally into a working program.
• Including a 15" TFT Industrial Control Panel PC, Latest Specification Pentium Processor, Integrated network and modem connections, Windows XP operating system, Servo drives and motors allowing true slave feed, interpolation and absolute position control.

Software features:

• User friendly front end gives access to all data entry pages from a single screen
• Password protected for multiple user function with varying access rights
• 3D visual part display & editing - enter data, view & edit graphically
• Full run program simulation for draw and roll bending, insert avoidance moves, select bend direction and view the results with no waste material
• Advanced programming with manual program editor (Plain English). Allows an experienced operator total control of machine
• Sequence with the facility to program additional I/O into the bend sequence
• Avoidance move creator with original YBC's retention
  Assign function keys to suit application
• "XYZ"/"YBC" programming with converter and YBC offsets for run program adjustments
• Data link to co-ordinate measuring machines/CAD packages
• Programmable speed control for each YBC axis movement
• Programmable datum selection, Recapture, Spring back compensation, Teach facility
• Full network capability, Off-line programming facility available, Full bender reset facility
• Auto cycle restart following cycle/emergency stop, Phased mandrel extraction, Programmable hitch and slave feed
• Infinite storage capacity, Modem link software

Programming Aids:

• Reverse bend order, XYZ to or from LRA, Mirror part from RH to or from LH, 3D part display, Line editor.
• Set Up Aids: Set up notes by part number, Tooling database, Percentage speed control for each motion
• Modes of Operation: Fast, Slow, Manual with pendent, Teach, Step, Manual load, Auto load, Auto load & unload, Straight feed, Hitch feed, Sequence thru 10 different part numbers.
• Operation Aids: Part counter, Cycle time display, Spring back compensation, Collet recapture, Bend on bend, Mandrel anticipation.
• Calculators include: Windows-type calculator, Arc length calculator, and Unit converter.

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General features for Alpine 18 to 220mm rotary draw type tube benders:

Including customer specified power and rotation, as described in catalogues and specifications, including, but not limited to the following features and options. Features and specifications are subject to changes from the manufacturer at any time. Tooling is quoted separately.

• PC base 15" color LCD touch screen control - easy and fast programming
• Right hand bend direction
• Patented direct drive A/C servo motor bend head - smallest interference area
• Uses planetary gear assembly for speed reduction and torque transmission
• Patented Cam-Type shifting system on bend head
• Switch between rotary bending and push bending within the program
• Arc curvature measures and calculates the radius of generated bends
• Program for hitch feed or normal feed
• Unlimited program storage
• Convert from metric to inches and back
• XYZ to YBC conversion
• Use parameters to select simultaneous motion of Y, and / or B and / or C Axes from the program
• Independently programmable speeds for Y, B, and C axes
• Air cooling system for the hydraulic system
• Automatic Slide-way Lubrication for bend arm to reduce maintenance time
• Foot pedal cycle start switch
• Wiper die mounting bracket
• 3 mandrel rods
• Operation and maintenance manuals
• Tool Box with full set of tools
• Electric power: As required (3 phase 208V or 220V or 480V)
• CATT provides training, and service from our facility in Michigan.

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Options:

• AMRU - Anticipate Mandrel Retraction Unit - the mandrel can be programmed to partially extract near the end of the bend to eliminate mandrel hump (Anticipation) to greatly improve cosmetic bend quality.
• AML - Auto Mandrel Lubrication
• Dynamic Visual Simulation Software - Collision Protection
• Safety Mat Connection Ready (without CE Mark)
• CE Mark
• Safety Mat
• Safety Scanner
• Free Standing Pedestal - The foot pedal is replaced by a free standing pedestal
• RBE - Rear Booster device (50mm and above models)
• An automatic central machine lubrication system -reduces preventative maintenance hours while protecting your investment.
• Pressure die assist is required for tight radius tube bending and most bending of non round sections. The electric version is driven by a servo and controlled by an operator friendly force to position diagram on the touch screen.
• Roll, Push, or Calendering - By replacing the normal tool set with rollers, large radius bends can be formed under CNC control. Changing radius bends and splines are all possible.
• Bi-Directional or RH/LH - An additional tool set mounted on the under side of a rotating bend head, allows the selection of right hand or left hand bending while in the part program sequence.
• Multi Stack - Horizontal and vertical bend head motions allow multiple bend dies to be stacked. This is very useful for parts that require two different centerline radius bends or parts that require compound and straight clamp dies. Many customers make one set up with different tube OD dies as well as CL radii so that they may change from one tube OD to another with no need to touch the bend head.
• Bed Extensions - The standard bed length can be increased to accommodate longer tubes.
• Automatic Loaders and Unloaders - Alpine/UTE provide an assortment of loaders and unloaders for our machines. Our bundle descramblers with weld seam detectors take a large chunk out of the daily average per part cycle time.
• Work Cells - Alpine/UTE and CATT are happy to develop machine groups or special machines with our customers to provide the best possible solution for their tube fabricating needs.

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For more information see alpinebender.com

Can-Am Tube Tech, Inc. is Alpine/UTE's local representative in Michigan, Northern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Manitoba.