Add New Life to your Veteran Press Brake with a CI Controls Upgrade
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been in operation with the USAF since 1955. The airframe is so solid that, with upgrades to avionics and computer systems, they are expected to see service into the 2050s. Incredible.
CINCINNATI press brakes are similarly experienced, and their steel frames are just as solid as ever. As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But what about a control upgrade to ensure it stays up to date with the newest technology? That’s another story. Now you have the idea behind our Press Brake Control Upgrade program.
Old Dog
Your press brake might be a candidate for a control upgrade if it’s full of old circuit boards with a CRT and a keyboard based on an old teletype design. If you are still scrolling through screen after screen just to find the right entry to change, you know what we mean. If this sounds familiar, you probably bought your press brake between 1985 and 2005. And if that old operating system fails, your machine is going to be down for a while. No shop can afford that.
We have six press brake models from that era that are eligible for a control upgrade. The components are genuine CINCINNATI parts made specifically for CINCINNATI press brake machines. No third parties are involved.
New Tricks
The parts of the older controls may be obsolete and mostly long gone, so what we’ve done is design electrical with brand new technology that offers the same functions as those in your original press brake. But as you would expect, they do it a lot better.
This state-of-the-art control system can easily be installed on your CINCINNATI press brake at an affordable price, especially when compared with the costly alternative of a brand new machine tool. This addition is a cost effective way to improve productivity in your forming operation, resulting in a lower cost per part. Here’s what you get with the retrofit:
Fast Data Entry via Touchscreen
High-Capacity File Storage
Networking Capability
Graphical Tool Library
Part Drawing Capabilities & 3D Part Views
Job Setup Page
Automatic Gage Allowance Calculation
Optional Offline Bend Simulation Software
The control upgrade also includes the retrofit and installation by CINCINNATI Service Representatives using the existing pendant arm and enclosure, a full controls demonstration and a 90 Day Parts and Labor Warranty.
A big advantage of the upgrade is an ethernet port to connect to your network. This allows the ability to share programs with other machines. IoT for the win. Other benefits include unlimited expanded memory via network or flash drive, the ability to monitor production remotely and the addition of error reporting and onboard diagnostics, which gives you better control of maintenance schedules.
Another advantage is that the new control system will support the installation of a 5-axis backgage option and make it possible for you to take advantage of our remote data retrieval and analytics services. From a support standpoint, if the control is networked, CI support staff can access the control remotely via Team Viewer and better diagnose any problems that may be occurring.
Planning for the Future
Honesty time: If you have a lower tonnage press brake, you might be better off buying one of our new entry-level machines. But if you have the better part of a million dollars invested in a perfectly functioning press brake frame, the control upgrade is an immense value.
Keep the Parts Flying
Don’t wait for a breakdown of older technology to put your production schedule in the dumpster. Keep your customers happy and increase productivity and flexibility by being proactive and updating your press brake controls now. Contact us for a quote and keep your press brake on active duty for years to come.
