At Axis Fab, we’re always on the lookout for precision sheet metal solutions that will benefit our customers and employees. That’s why we recently added the Trumpf TruBend 5085, our first robotic press brake and a major step forward in our metal fabrication services.
We expect this new machine to expand our capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and allow us to reallocate skilled team members to other high-value tasks. Just as importantly, it gives us a more sustainable way to take on heavy-gauge bending jobs without putting unnecessary strain on our team.
Why We Invested in Robotic Bending
We’ve considered robotic bending for some time, but the decision to move forward came when we took on customers with heavier, labor-intensive parts. Our team was doing incredible work, but manually bending large, multi-bend components all day was taking a physical toll. Although we initially looked into lift-assist tools, we quickly realized that full automation would be a better fit for our long-term goals.
The TruBend 5085 stood out as the right choice. It delivers advanced functionality, proven reliability, and the kind of repeatable precision we need for high-volume production. It also aligns with our shop’s ongoing commitment to investing in top-tier equipment.
This robotic press brake is ideal for:
- Heavy-gauge parts that require more than one person to handle manually
- Parts with multiple bends, especially when the same bend is replicated on multiple sides
- Contract jobs and high-volume production runs with consistent geometries
With minimal setup required, it’s become our go-to machine for the efficient, precise bending of heavy parts.
How Our Customers Benefit
Our new robotic press brake provides several advantages to customers seeking high-quality metal fabrication services:
- Increased Productivity: While robotic bending may be slower per individual bend, it can run continuously without breaks or fatigue—something human employees simply can’t do. That consistent output allows us to produce parts faster than we could with manual processes alone.
- Expanded Capacity: Previously, heavy or complex parts often required two operators to handle. Now that our robot can handle these precision sheet metal jobs independently, our skilled team members can focus on other projects. This efficiency gain helps reduce bottlenecks and keeps jobs moving.
- Shorter Lead Times: With the ability to hold tooling for multiple jobs and switch between parts quickly, the TruBend allows us to move from order to delivery faster and more efficiently.
- Improved Consistency: Automation eliminates the slight variances that come with manual handling. That means better part-to-part consistency and greater accuracy, especially for tight-tolerance features.
While automation helps ease hiring pressures, it’s important to note that it isn’t meant to replace employees. Instead, it’s a tool that allows us to continue growing while freeing up our team members for more complex jobs.
A First Step Toward Lights-Out Manufacturing
While automation is a new addition to our facility, our commitment to high-end equipment remains unchanged. The TruBend 5085 joins a lineup of premium Trumpf machines already in place at Axis Fab, including our laser cutter and punch press. These investments are part of a long-term strategy to reduce downtime, increase reliability, and deliver greater value across every project we take on.
Our new robotic press brake also marks the beginning of a broader move toward lights-out manufacturing. As we integrate this technology into our workflow, we’ll be evaluating how it impacts throughput, lead times, and overall part quality. It’s an important step toward future automation decisions—whether that means adding automation to one of our mills, lathes, or other systems designed to support high-volume, repeatable work.
If you have heavy, complex, or high-volume parts—especially those that may not have been a fit for our shop in the past—we’d welcome the chance to take another look. This new capability may be just what your project needs.
Upload your part files today to request a quote for our metal fabrication services.