The new 4 Slide-NC® machine incorporates additive manufacturing to enhance rapid prototyping capability.

Bihler 4 Slide-NC, Inc. - the machine-building division of Bihler of America, Inc. that specializes in servo-controlled four-slide machines - will showcase its advanced Rapid Prototyping capabilities to the metal forming industry at Booth #221 at the SMI Metal Engineering Expo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 1-3, 2019.

As an innovator in four-slide manufacturing equipment, Bihler 4 Slide-NC combines the latest technology in additive manufacturing with complete motion control of servo-driven slides for enhanced manufacturing outcomes. The servos in Bihler 4 Slide-NC® machine enables precise tooling positioning and adjustment, as well as improved set-up times. Along with advanced engineering capabilities, the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® machine supports 3D-printed tools that boost production efficiency, and that enhance the prototyping process and tool precision.

In addition, the exhibition of the latest version of the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® machine will feature the following improvements, which were developed based on studies and customer feedback:

Enhanced ergonomic features
Advanced design support
Video Training Library
Set-up times of as little as 5 to 30 minutes
For many decades, tooling development in the slide forming industry has been based on 2D/3D design, and on CNC machining of tool components. Precisely designing and building the perfect tool using these dated methods could easily take several months. Now with the implementation of 3D-printed tools using Bihler 4 Slide-NC® technology, tooling development is only a week-long process. Depending on material strength, these tools can even be used for early-stage prototypes and for proof of concept, which reduces the development period for hard tooling.

"Imagine having the ability to try out early-stage concepts on a live machine," says Max Linder, Director of Sales and Marketing at Bihler of America. "That capability is changing how we train our new employees, and how we transfer our know-how to the next generation of tool designers. Instead of feeding abstract FEMA models, we now can prove strategies on a live production machine within hours."

By combining the latest features of the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® machine with the power of additive manufacturing, Bihler 4 Slide-NC redefines the terms of rapid prototyping in the metal forming industry.

Bihler 4 Slide-NC will conduct a demo of the latest version of the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® machine at SMI and will showcase the latest 3D-printed tooling on a live machine set-up.

About Bihler 4 Slide-NC
Bihler 4 Slide-NC, Inc. is a joint venture of Bihler of America, Inc. and Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik, Germany, providers of custom automation, contract manufacturing, and machine solutions that feature Bihler advanced servo-controlled systems. Bihler 4 Slide-NC is a leading producer of multi-piece assemblies, with decades of expertise in stamping, tapping and welding. By now integrating IoT and Instant Setup, Bihler 4 Slide-NC has brought about a vast improvement in the four-slide manufacturing sector. In addition to servo automation integration, Bihler 4 Slide-NC® technology is compatible with mechanical four-slides, thereby bridging what would otherwise be a 30-year gap in the market. Bihler 4 Slide-NC® technology is also compliant with IATF16949 and ISO 9001 quality standards.