Design of an electrically powered bending machine: case of Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper seeks to carry out design of a small scale electrically powered bending machine for a developing nation, case for Zimbabwe. The bending of metal is of great importance in the manufacture of products such as nut shelling machines and maize shelling machines. Currently being used at Company X engineering is a manual bending machine with a single operation hence this design will help to increase the number of metals being bent, an increase in the efficiency and production. The paper deals with manufacturing or bending of sheet metal by using power operated sheet bending machine. Especially discussion made the productivity analysis of manually or power operated sheet bending machine. Considering manual operation is replaced by power operated devices. It also gives information about limitation of manually operated sheet bending machine and power operated sheet bending machine. The existing machines are limited to a single operation. The aim of the research is to increase the number of bent parts and to place an adjustable table to suit the height of the user thereby reducing back pain internal injuries in the long run. The researchers visited the Company X to gather information concerning the problems faced by the employees. Material tests which are of great value were carried out and the use of software. A Plate Rolling Machine is a machine that will roll different kinds of metal sheet into a round or conical shape and a rod bending machine will roll or bend different kinds of metal sheet into right angles or circular shapes. The research aims at making it possible to do the operations on a single machine. We recommend the machine to be automated and the use of a servo motor to reduce human injuries at the workshop. Use of oils and maintenance is of great value to increase the life span of the machine