Unison Tube LLC, the North American division of UK-based Unison Ltd, will present a number of innovative tube manipulation technologies at FABTECH – North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event.

Unison machines (on show at Booth C10217) will include an all-electric Breeze Twin Head tube-bending machine and one of the company’s all-new Synergy hybrid, multi-stack tube benders. The company will also use FABTECH to launch the most advanced version ever of its industry leading Opt2Sim tube-bending simulation software, with several free software licences up for grabs.

The all-electric Twin Head machine equipped with the company's recently upgraded Unibend control — an operating system offering speed enhancements of up to 25% — all-electric Twin Head 1.5in (maximum tube diameter) machines will precision bend two ends of a tube simultaneously. This capability makes them well suited to the high-speed manufacture of symmetrical tubular shapes typically found in automotive, agricultural and furniture applications.

The new Unison Synergy hybrid machine was officially launched at the MACH machine tool show earlier this year; the new Synergy machines combine electric and hydraulic operation with exceptional levels of control. Developed for organisations that aspire to Unison quality but carry out repetitive tube-bending tasks, Synergy models provide a highly accessible entry point into the Unison range.

Available in 2in (50mm) and 3in (80mm) versions, Synergy machines feature a servo-driven bend arm, carriage, plane of bend and carriage side shift, with a hydraulically-controlled mandrel, pressure die and clamping system. This is a combination that the company believes make its Synergy range perfect for high volume, repetitive tube manipulation operations.

Continuous innovation has ensured that Unison Opt2Sim remains a favourite tube manipulation software program among users of Unison and other brands of tube bending machines. In this latest iteration of Opt2Sim, Unison makes it easier than ever to import and extract tube data and includes software versions that take simulating the bending process, creating batch files and scanning tube coordinates to the next level.

Opt2Sim provides users with a complete end-to-end solution, from taking 3D STEP files to bending tube within a single software suite. Delegates visiting the firm's FABTECH booth will have the chance to win one of several Opt2Sim software licenses.

Unison Tube’s vice president, Stuart Singleton, said: “We are delighted to be returning to FABTECH with such inspiring tube bending technologies. As industry returns to pre-pandemic levels, our aim is to help as many manufacturers and sub-contractors as possible accelerate their efficiency, ingenuity and productivity. We are particularly excited to be unveiling our latest Opt2Sim software, as this really will revolutionise tube bending simulation for organisations of all sizes.”

Unison Tube LLC offer the largest range of all-electric benders for diameters from 5/32in (4mm) to 10in (275mm) schedule pipe. With a reputation for building highly powerful, highly robust machines that deliver uncompromising levels of accuracy and repeatability, Unison Ltd continually innovates the tube and pipe bending marketplace.

The company manufactured the world’s first all-electric tube bender in 1994, followed by the world’s first all-electric multi-stack tube bender, then the world’s largest all-electric tube bender for the shipbuilding industry.

Available in single-stack, multi-stack and right/left varieties, Unison machines are delivered to more than 20 countries globally. Unison’s tube bending software is recognised as the most user-friendly control system for tube bending machines. The software is written and supported by Unison, ensuring complete control of its evolution, with no need for third-party support.