Unison will be highlighting all-electric tube bending machines and the benefits for precision aerospace applications at the Farnborough International Airshow. Unison pioneered the all-electric tube bending revolution, and its machines feature an actuation system based on precision servomotor-controlled movement. This all-electric architecture provides significant performance benefits in terms of set-up speed, repeatability, energy consumption and noise reduction compared with traditional hydraulically powered machinery, and the technology has secured many users in the highly demanding aerospace manufacturing sector.

"Aerospace is undoubtedly among the most demanding applications for tube bending out there, and over time the manufacturing tolerances are tending to become even tighter. Yet it's still commonplace to see older-style hydraulically-actuated benders in use - machinery that is much more suited to large-batch production of run-of-the-mill components", says Alan Pickering of Unison Ltd. "We are able to show that all-electric bending automation has helped aerospace manufacturers to evolve component production processes that are at the vanguard of what is technically possible, in terms of precision, shape creation, and cost effectiveness."

Unison has supplied numerous tube bending machines to the aerospace industry, to both aircraft manufacturers and component suppliers. Among the demands that Unison's machines are meeting today in the sector are: supporting fabrication processes that must manufacture ultra-precise parts in very small batches - typically without generating any scrap; bending exceptionally complex part shapes in a single stage (one customer regularly makes parts with as many as 19 bends); bending expensive exotic alloy tubing such as titanium with wall thicknesses as fine as 0.9 mm; and eliminating jig-based inspection processes.

Visitors will also be able to sign up to attend an innovative tour demonstrating the productivity benefits of servomotor-controlled tube bending. Unison will take attendees to see how at least two high-precision UK users of the technology exploit the advanced technology.