More precision, more output

Bedrunka + Hirth is taking the next step toward automation and has once again chosen bending technology from RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau. With the new Multibend-Center, the company from Baden-Württemberg is raising efficiency and process reliability to a new level and laying the foundation for further growth in high-quality workshop equipment.

For more than five decades, the family-run company from Bräunlingen has stood for well-designed workshop equipment “Made in Germany.” Founded in 1969, Bedrunka + Hirth now employs around 130 people and offers a modular range of more than 10,000 individual parts. Alongside workbenches and drawer cabinets, the company also produces housings and control cabinet solutions. By expanding its production and office space in 2020, it made a clear commitment to growth.

When rising demand becomes an opportunity

As early as the mid-2000s, growing demand and an expanding product range pushed manual production to its limits. To stay competitive while ensuring quality and repeatability, Bedrunka + Hirth moved into automated bending in 2007 with its first RAS Multibend-Center.

With continued demand for customized workshop and industrial solutions, the proven bending center increasingly reached its capacity limit, and the company wanted to prevent potential downtime. Even though the system had been a reliable partner for 17 years, one thing was clear: to keep growing, the company had to modernize.

Continuity with progress

The very first sample parts and the demonstration convinced the team once again. “The repeatability, ergonomics and efficiency of the new Multibend-Center left no doubt,” says Kadir Engin, Head of Sheet Metal Processing.

Once again the choice was RAS: because of the quality and longevity of the first machine, the proximity to the manufacturer, the reliable technical service and the mature software solutions.

33 percent shorter cycle times

The new bending center has been running in two shifts since August 2024, with noticeable success. Productivity has risen measurably, setup times have fallen significantly and operation has become easier. With up to 20 changeovers a day, each takes just 1 to 1.5 minutes.

A particular advantage is the special tooling RAS developed together with Bedrunka + Hirth. It makes complex drawer designs possible and saves considerable time on around half of the products. Optimized tool setup and the special tools alone cut the cycle time for drawers by up to 19 seconds, from 58 to 39 seconds.

“Across a wide range of drawer types, that gives an average saving of 16.55 seconds per item,” explains Kadir Engin. “Over the year, that adds up to a total saving of more than 365 hours.” The automatic tool changer is also under less strain, which reduces wear.

“Over the year, that adds up to a total saving of more than 365 hours.”Kadir Engin, Head of Sheet Metal Processing, Bedrunka + Hirth

Software that thinks like the operator

The new programming software brings design and production closer together. 3D visualization, an intuitive user interface and direct import of STEP data enable quick feasibility checks and direct coordination with customers, which significantly reduces the error rate. “The operators are thrilled, not just because it’s so clear, but above all because the machine actively gives hints and prevents errors before they happen,” says Kadir Engin.

For technical questions, a connection to RAS support can be established directly from the machine. Remote access shortens response times and minimizes downtime.

Efficiency by design: it’s the interplay that counts

The bending system processes an average of around 800 drawer components a day, with an average part size of 500 x 1,000 mm and just one operator. This is made possible by integrating the Multibend-Center into the existing process chain: around 90 percent of the sheets are already punched or laser cut and are fed in automatically. Automatic feeding, alignment, bending and unloading ensure stable, repeatable processes with minimal staffing.

“Without this kind of automation, these volumes would not be possible. Press brakes with robot add-ons simply can’t keep up with this speed.”Kadir Engin, Head of Sheet Metal Processing, Bedrunka + Hirth

A forward-looking investment

For Bedrunka + Hirth, the new Multibend-Center is a forward-looking part of its corporate strategy. High repeatability, high output, minimal downtime and exceptionally simple operation make it the heart of sheet metal processing.

“If you value good service, easy operation and maximum efficiency, there is no way around RAS. Our decision was spot on.”The verdict at Bedrunka + Hirth