PC 800

The PC 800 is a graphical control for Automec’s family of backgauges that uses digital photos and 2-D graphics to make your pressbrake forming easier and is available in up to 3 axes.

In addition to the 2-D graphical representation of the part forming sequence, PC 800 allows you to use jpeg photos of your tools and workpiece to give the operator a better visual representation of each bend. It is as simple as downloading photos from your camera to your home computer. Photos enhance the 2-D graphic simulation because you can see the actual part with all of its cut-outs, holes and insertion hardware. You can see how the operator positions the part on the die and the orientation of the gauge fingers.

Some operators will opt to use both methods of programming on the same job. The part can be created using the 2-D graphics mode to check for tooling interferences, and then, in the run mode the photos of each bend can be substituted for the 2-D graphics. You can use both methods of programming together or separately. The choice is yours.

Tool selection and programming is easy with the PC 800. Simply fill in the blanks on a template screen, then select a tool from our preloaded images or photograph your own to store in the tool library. PC 800 lets you load a separate tool set for each bend if required. A material list can be created which carries all parameters including thickness, type of material and spring back characteristics. When corrections are made to angles you have the option of storing these corrections for that particular material. This minimizes angle corrections the next time this material is used on another job.

The PC 800 uses a Microsoft Windows Win7-32 bit operating system which is familiar to most people and is seamless to network. PC 800 is powered by 1.8 GHz Dual Core CPU, 60GB solid state hard drive and 2 GB DDR3 memory giving you virtually unlimited job, tooling and material library storage. Jobs can be programmed at the pressbrake or offline. Data can be entered directly on the 15.1” color LCD touch screen or by using a standard PC keyboard and mouse. The PC 800 also comes standard with two external USB ports so that data can be backed up and transferred between machines and digital photos can be quickly downloaded.

Technical Specifications

• Input power: 110 VAC, 1 Phase 50/60 HZ, 3 amps max
• Operating temperature: 0°C – 60°C
• 64 Optically isolated 24VDC inputs/outputs
• Automatic axis initialization procedure
• Programmable PLC functions and configurable machine parameters
• PCI Bus DSP motion control card
• 32-bit floating point digital signal processing @ 60 MHz
• Real-time, multi-tasking firmware
• Industrial PC with MS Windows XP/Win7-32 bit operating system
• 1.8 GHz Duel Core CPU, 60 GB solid state hard drive and 2 GB DDR3 memory
• 15.1” Color LCD Industrial touch screen
• Standard PC keyboard option
• 1 Serial, 1 Parallel port
• Deterministic logic & motion card control with safety interlocking and alarms
• Programming at the machine and off-line
• 2 external USB ports
• 4 internal USB ports
• X-axis travel 24” or 48”
• Y-axis travel 12” or 24”
• R-axis travel 8.5”
• Axis resolution .001”
• Axis repeatability +/- .002”
• Bend Wizard Graphical User Interface Software with off-line programming
• PC anywhere remote access software for off-site trouble shooting
• Diagnostic & Servo tuning software
• USB memory stick for complete system recovery in less than 20 minutes
• Programmable delay and retract at pinch point
• Inch/mm conversion
• Available up to 3 axes
• 1 year warranty

Learn More about the PC 800 by clicking on the tabs above.

 

Control Brochure

• PC 800 Control Brochure

Backgauges

• G24 Series
• G48 Series

Backgauges Available for PC 800

G24 Series

The A compact gauge for press brakes with 12˝ to 42˝ between sideframes. This unit is available with a 3´ gauge bar for light applications.

---

The B is Automec’s most popular model. Ideal for pressbrakes with up to 8´6˝ between the sideframes.

---

The HD heavy-duty offers more rigidity for larger pressbrakes or when progressive die set-ups are used.

The P models are required for Amada, Promecam, and other brakes in which the rear bed clearance is less than 7˝. This low-profile backgauge bolts right to the die rail.

---

The TD has 3 drive screws with the center drive flanked by 2 drives 6´ away on each side. Designed for large bed pressbrakes.

---

G48

The G48 plate gauge is designed for heavy forming operations offering significant productivity improvments when handling larger, heavier workpieces.

Accessories/Options

• GF-1 MICRO-ADJUST FINGER
• GF-8 HEAVY DUTY FINGER
• GF-9 LOW-PROFILE FINGER
• DP-4 Control Pendant Arm
• AUTOGAUGE R-AXIS

Product Video

Our Video Transcript: PC 800 Backgauging Systems Demo This short video demonstrates the capabilities of Automec PC 800 backgauging system. The unique feature of the system is its ability to create forming programs on press brakes by choosing graphical pictures of tooling from a tooling library. And by allowing the operator to photograph each step of the bending process as the part is being formed. The desired bend dimensions and angles are entered using the graphical touch screen or a traditional keyboard and mouse. Materials are chosen from a material list in the control. This visual aid of the operator and setup personnel means faster setups and fewer errors in the bending process. The part in this video has eight bends and is formed using three toolsets. Notice that as the operator steps through each bend the lower left portion of the control contains a photo showing each bend of the tooling as it is being formed. Once a job is created it can be saved and recalled later using the Microsoft Windows-based control. The control can be seamlessly network using Windows NT so that all jobs are passing through can be organized. Please contact your automatic representative at (781) 893-3403 for more information.

Programming Video

Our Video Transcript: PC 800 Backgauging Systems Programming The PC 800 is a pc-based control which uses Windows software to graphically assist the press brake operator. It is available in up to three axes for all automatic backgauge systems. PC 800 can be programmed in the office and network seamlessly with Windows NT. This brief video will demonstrate some of the features as we program a simple part on a laptop. All screens appear identically on the shop floor control. PC 800 is arranged with icons across the top of the screen to call out the various functions. File management follows a simple Windows format where you can store an infinite number of parts programs. – A full tool library from upper punchers and lowered dies. – A material list – a note screen – a parameter screen – a maintenance screen for troubleshooting – and also a manual mode for manual operation Let’s start by programming a punch. No AutoCAD experience is necessary simply fill in the blanks on the template. We call up new tool. You select whether you want a gooseneck or a straight punch. And simply fill in the blanks. Then save the tool. Dies are programmed in the same manner using a template. Now let’s create a simple part. Click on file and click new. You select the top tool holder. You select the punch. Notice the different punches in the library. Go down and select the die and select the die rail. Now pick your steel, this case we say it’s aluminum. Thickness is 0.075 and the width of the workpiece is 25 inches wide. We type in our first leg as 1 inch and 90 degrees. The second leg as 5 inches. Notice the part forming up on the left side of the screen, also 90 degrees. And the final leg two and a half inches. We’ve selected tools, we’ve drawn the part out graphically. Now we set our bending sequence. Notice in this view we are showing the workpiece before it is bend and after the bend. In this view we are showing only the workpiece. In this view we show it unbent. Three different methods of viewing the program. If we want to rearrange the order of the bends, we can use these simple icons on the right to shift the position of that particular bend, up or down in the program. During the bend simulation you can check for die interferences. We click on the magnifier and you get a close-up view of the piece as it appears on the dies. Once you are satisfied with the bending sequence click and now you have the run screen as the operator would see it out on the shop floor. You can see the graphic presentation in the lower left and all of the other parameters of the job material thickness type width, the punches you’re using, the angle, and the leg. Notes can be added to the job. Each time the job is recalled this note screen will appear. Another unique feature of the PC 800 is the ability to overlay photographs of the bend set up in the workpiece for each bend. This gives the operator a 3d view of the piece without the need for a 3d graphics system. Simply take digital photographs of your bend’s setup the first time you run and store them in the memory. Call up your bending program and double-click on the graphics image. This will take you to the photo library. Choose the photo and double-click and that will now appear on the bend’s screen. Go to the next step double-click, pick the next image. Now as the operator runs this job you’ll see the workpiece on the die positioned on the fingers correctly. Bend one, bend two and so forth. The PC 800 has all of the sophistication you need to organize your bending operation. However if you have a simple job that you just want to run the manual way, the PC 800 can accommodate that as well. A simple screen with XY and our parameters can be used to enter dimensions directly into the gauge. Contact your Automec representative to learn how PC 800 can streamline your bending operation.