Two CNC Panel Benders Produce 500+ Network Cabinet Parts Daily

STON Automated Panel Bending Project with Truss Loading and Unloading Systems

STON CNC has put two automated panel bending cells into service for a sheet metal manufacturer specializing in network and server cabinets. The installation combines two CNC flexible bending centers with truss loading and unloading systems to process cabinet doors, side frames, and mounting brackets.

The two bending cells achieve a combined daily output of more than 500 sheet metal parts, using vacuum suction handling, automatic sheet alignment, flipping, programmed bending, and finished-part unloading.

This project demonstrates how automated material handling and CNC panel bending can support high-volume cabinet production while reducing repetitive manual operations.

Production Requirements for Network Cabinet Manufacturing

Network cabinets and server enclosures consist of multiple sheet metal components that must be formed consistently for subsequent assembly.

Cabinet doors, side frames, and mounting brackets may have different dimensions and bending requirements. Handling these components manually between production steps can introduce waiting time, repeated lifting, and additional surface contact.

For this project, the customer required an automated bending solution capable of supporting daily production of more than 500 cabinet components while accommodating different cabinet sizes.

The main objectives were to improve material flow, maintain consistent bending angles, and reduce manual handling throughout the production process.

STON provided a dual-cell solution that combines automatic sheet transfer with CNC flexible panel bending.

STON Solution: Two Panel Benders with Truss Automation

The project uses two CNC flexible bending centers, each integrated with an automated truss loading and unloading arrangement.

The gantry loaders use vacuum suction cups to handle sheet metal blanks. The system performs automatic feeding, squaring, flipping, and finished-part unloading as required by the production process.

After the sheet is positioned for bending, the CNC panel bender completes its programmed bending sequence without manual workpiece handling.

How the Automated Bending Cell Works

The arrangement helps maintain continuous material circulation around the bending equipment and reduces waiting time associated with manual loading and unloading.

STON’s Sheet Metal Automatic Loading and Unloading System provides truss, gantry, and robotic configurations for different production layouts.

Key Features of the Automated Bending System

Automatic Truss Loading and Unloading

The truss system automates repeated sheet transfer between the loading area, bending equipment, and finished-part unloading position.

This reduces manual lifting and unnecessary handling contact, helping lower the risk of scratches and other handling-related surface damage.

Universal Tooling for Mixed Cabinet Production

The bending centers use a universal tooling design that supports quick changeover between different cabinet doors and frame components.

This is valuable for network cabinet manufacturers producing multiple cabinet sizes and requiring flexible production scheduling.

Closed-Loop Bending Angle Control

The CNC bending centers use closed-loop angle control to support consistent bending results across repeated operations.

Consistent bending angles help maintain the dimensional compatibility required when cabinet panels and structural components are assembled.

Two Bending Cells Operating in Parallel

Instead of relying on one bending workstation, the customer uses two automated cells.

The parallel arrangement supports the combined daily output of more than 500 sheet metal parts and helps maintain production capacity across different cabinet components.

The automated process is also configured to support low-attendance night shift operation.

For additional machine configurations, explore STON’s CNC Panel Bender range.

Project Results: More Than 500 Parts per Day

With the two automated bending cells in service, the customer achieves a stable combined production output exceeding 500 cabinet sheet metal components per day.

The installation provides several operational benefits:

These results relate to the supplied dual-cell configuration. Production output in other factories will depend on workpiece dimensions, bending complexity, product mix, operating hours, and automation layout.

Applications in Network and Electrical Cabinet Production

This automated bending configuration is suitable for manufacturers producing repeated sheet metal components for network cabinets, server racks, UPS enclosures, and electrical control cabinets.

Typical workpieces include cabinet doors, side frames, mounting brackets, and other folded enclosure components.

The combination of flexible bending centers and automated material handling is especially relevant to manufacturers that need consistent bending quality across different cabinet sizes.

Future Expansion into Automated Sheet Metal Production Lines

The current project focuses on CNC panel bending and automated sheet handling.

According to the original project plan, the system can be further integrated with fiber laser cutting machines and automatic raw material warehouses.

Such an expansion could connect material storage, sheet preparation, cutting, bending, and downstream handling into a more coordinated production process.

The final integration would depend on the customer’s production layout, equipment interfaces, material flow, and required capacity.

Conclusion

This network cabinet project demonstrates the application of two STON CNC panel benders with truss loading and unloading systems in high-volume sheet metal production.

Automatic vacuum feeding, sheet positioning, flipping, universal tooling, and closed-loop bending control work together to support efficient cabinet component manufacturing.

With more than 500 parts produced daily across two bending cells, the installation provides a practical example of automated CNC panel bending for network and server cabinet manufacturers.

Need an Automated Panel Bending Solution?

STON CNC provides flexible panel benders, automatic loading and unloading systems, and customized sheet metal automation solutions.

Share your cabinet drawings, material type, thickness, panel dimensions, production targets, and factory layout. Our engineering team can help evaluate the appropriate bending and automation configuration for your production needs.