Otinus OT-41 is the most frequently chosen controller. In this article we will discuss its features, operation, and how to use it. Perhaps you have decided that a press brake with this controller is an option that best suits you. If you want to refresh your knowledge, this article should get your attention. As a reminder – OT-41 allows for controlling Otinus CNC press brakes. It ensures user-friendly management of the bending process by creating and saving programmes, independent control of pistons or the height control of the backgauge. The functions described allow for implementing complex projects.

The main features of the OT-41 controller

  • 10” TFT touch screen
  • Possibility to save up to 2000 programmes with a sequence of 40 steps each
  • Program backup on pendrive
  • Automatic calculation of a piece angle and crowning for given working lengths
  • Calculation of dimensions before  and after bending
  • Support for the management of upper and lower dies as well as ensuring safe travel of the backauge beam
  • Support for maintaining safety systems such as light barriers and limit switches
  • Database of different bending materials / parameters for automatic compensation (crowning)  calculations
  • Support of X, Y1, Y2, R axes and automatic crowning – C/V axis
  • Language selection: English / Polish

The display of our controller

The graphic user interface appears immediately on the touch screen right after start-up. It displays the current programme (default – the program used before switching off the machine).

In the fields of the screen we can see the parameters (graphic below) that allow programming the following parameters:

  • programme name: „P 1 Name” – here, we can define the name.
  • number of steps to be performed in the “S/N” programme.
  • “Cir” – number of repetitions of the current bending step .
  • “L”– selection of the working material type.
  • “Thickness” – stands for the thickness of the working sheet specified in millimeters.
  • “Upper die V01” represents a selected upper die.
  • “Lower die D01” represents a selected lower die.
  • “Width” represents the width of the material in millimeters. Combined with material from the database, this parameter allows the controller to calculate the deflection of bending angle. This function does not maintain crowning the access to which is available by clicking the “More” submenu.
  • “Block finger” – in press brakes with the R axis control, the selected backgauge (X-axis) allows for choosing one of three positions increasing the working length ratio.
  • “AngleCorr” stands for defined working angle as well as working angle correction. The values e.g. 1° causes the sheet to be not bent enough by 1°+. -3° causes the sheet to be bent too much by 3°.
  • To define the dimension in millimeters to which we want to bend the material we can choose from two parameters: „Inner ruler” and „Outer ruler”. The first stands for defining the bending line along which the upper die presses the sheet. The second defines the ultimate dimension we want to receive after bending.  “InnerCorr” defines the correction of dimensions in millimeters.
  • “R Axis” represents for the control of the backgauge height and it defines the position of backgauge fingers when bending. This function is useful when bending various Z-shaped parts or when defining bending steps for parts below 90°
  • “Start” stands for starting the press and setting it up in predefined positions.
  • “More” provides access to extra options such as backgauge retract movement when bending and bending time.

The remaining buttons allow the controller to execute the following commands:

  • “Oil Pump” – switches on the oil pump
  • “PgDn” – moves to the next bending step / setting page
  • “PgUp” moves to the previous bending step / setting page
  • “State” – represents the machine status in which the working state of machine components can be checked up.
  • Drop-down “Menu” allows for switching between automatic or manual working modes, and provides access to machine parameters.
  • “Light” provides light to the working area.
  • “Rise” rises the ram (bending traverse).

OT-41 programming

The following graphic once again describes all the functions of the main screen of our controller.

To program the bending step correctly we need to specify:

  • thickness and type of bending sheet (specified in millimeters e.g. 1.80mm as shown below; type of material – L)
  • the appropriate upper and lower dies (obtained from a database of 30 stored items; based on the principle: lower die width = 8x sheet thickness)
  • the width of the bending sheet metal (the machine will adjust the stroke of the ram in order to maintain the specified angle on respectively larger / smaller sheets)
  • “Block finger” or “Backgauge finger” that helps to find the backgauge position according to your needs. We select one of three options. *option available for press brakes with automatic R-axis
  • the relevant ultimate working angle. When the ultimate angle deviates from the preset one, it can be corrected using “AngleCorr
  • the dimension to which the sheet metal is to be bent (if the dimension deviates from the preset one, it can be corrected using “InnerCorr”)

After inputting the parameters we are interested in (as in the example above) we press the start button. The controller will automatically adjust the machine to the parameters we have chosen, and the devices working on given axes to their positions. This will allow us to execute the program we have just written and bend the previously prepared elements.

“More” – provides additional functions

Under the “More” button you will find additional options that can be used in each of the bending steps.

Among the options you will find the following parameters:

  • “Thickness” – the thickness of the material we are currently bending
  • “Concede distance” – the distance at which the backgauge fingers are to retract during bending (*function useful when bending various types of Z-shape parts)
  • “Concede time” – backgauge retract delay. This function allows adjusting the time after which the backgauge starts to depart when bending.
  • “Dwell time” – here you specify the time the machine will put the working part under pressure and keep it in the lower die.
  • “Deflection” – crowning value in millimeters. The function is related to the “Plank bdth” parameter.
  • “Plank bdth” – here we specify the width of the bending part which allows the controller to automatically calculate the “Deflection” value.
  • “Product count” – It is a counter of pieces.  the place where we see 0, the number of processed parts is displayed. In the place where we see 9999 we can specify the number of repetitions we like.
  • “Select mode” – allows the selection of the bending mode; “Dynamic” is a mode where bending and opening must be done by remote control. “Single mode” on the other hand allows us to bend using the remote control, the machine returns to the upper position automatically after each completed bending step.
  • “Ret” – returns to main screen of bending program settings
  • “Sen” – allows you to move to the next submenu

“Sen” – axis parameters on OT-41

After pressing the “Sen” button in the “More” sub-menu, the following settings screen will appear.

The menu allows for defining several important parameters such as the number of important parameters e.g.  how the bending steps should be followed, whether there should be any breaks during the steps, etc. The parameters are described below:

  • “Continuous interval time” – allows setting the interval between each bend in automatic operation mode
  • “Point move (dwell time)” – this function allows reducing the hydraulic pressure caused by the springback of the material you are working on.
  • “X axis” – this function allows you to select the reference point for the programmed X axis, “absolute” means absolute positioning
  • “Pause time (clamping point)” – when switching from the ram travel speed into working speed, we can define the pause time in between.
  • “Step delay” – allows specifying how many seconds after the execution of the current bending step the controller will move to the next step of a programme.
  • “Buzzer” – corresponds to the controller sound signals
  • “display comments” – this option allows any comments to be displayed (including errors etc)
  • “display boardwidth” – allows hiding the sheet width parameter on the main screen
  • “Changing positioning condition” – similar to the previously mentioned “Step delay”, the function allows changing steps. You can select “At once” which results in the bending step to be changed after the bend is performed. “Step again” – is used for the press to change to the next step, this option must be confirmed with the remote control.

Ending

We hope that after reading this post, operating the OT-41 controller will be even easier. We have described all functions of the controller and their practical use altogether with our press brakes. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. At Otinus, we will assist you in finding the solution that best suits your needs. According to our motto “We serve you”, we believe that the satisfaction of our Clients is the way to our mutual success.