INDIA-BUILT, WORLD-RECOGNIZED

Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd (EPHL) is one of the few companies with a strong legacy and deep technological expertise in India’s metal forming industry. The recent IMTMA Best Design Award 2026 for the 32CNC11X6-LR rotating head tube bender marks a defining moment in the company’s journey, reinforcing its position as a leading force in the sector. 

Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics, located in Chakan, Pune, has always believed that India can build world-class machines through indigenous engineering. Right from the 1970s, the company has been a forerunner in developing technologies such as India’s first CNC tube bender, 6-axis electric and hydraulic robots, hydroforming technology, the first hydraulic compacting press, servo-mechanical presses—many of which have successfully served as import substitutes.

A Validation of Engineering Excellence

Winning the IMTMA (Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association) Best Design Award 2026 at IMTEX FORMING 2026 for the 32CNC11X6-LR rotating head tube bender is a significant achievement for the company. The recognition is the result of focused engineering work, detailed simulations, thorough prototyping, and close collaboration among the design, simulation, electronics, and controls teams.

“This award reinforces that our design philosophy—Forming tomorrow, today—delivers real value to the industry,” shared Ingrid Rasquinha, Joint Managing Director, Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (I) Pvt Ltd. “For our teams, it boosts confidence, encourages deeper experimentation with advanced technologies, and strengthens our commitment to building world-class machines from India for India and the global market.”

The 32CNC11X6-LR is entirely designed, engineered, and manufactured in India using homegrown ingenuity—from servo-electric axes to intelligent control software.

Precision Engineered Performance

During design and prototyping, managing collision risk, especially during complex multi-plane bending, presented a significant challenge. The bend head needs to be rotated from CW to CCW and vice versa, adding complexity in optimal cable routing, as the continuous rotation demands secure, fatigue-resistant pathways without hindering movement.

Another major hurdle was the heavy rotating mass, which affects responsiveness and control. “We resolved this by designing the bend head and clamp arm into a compact, lightweight assembly, improving dynamic performance,” pointed out Rasquinha. “Advanced simulation and motion-planning software (BendSIM) further ensured safe, interference-free operation.”

Efficiency, precision, and minimizing material thinning/ovality are critical in tube bending. The 32CNC11X6-LR uses a high-speed rotating head with synchronized servo axes, significantly reducing idle time between bends and improving overall cycle speed. Its intelligent motion-control algorithms ensure smooth transitions and consistent bending performance.

The use of reduced-backlash gearboxes across critical axes further enhances repeatability, especially during long production runs where precision drift is common. Automated compensation for spring-back and optimized motion sequencing help operators achieve uniform bend quality with minimal manual intervention, resulting in faster throughput and highly reliable dimensional accuracy.

From Shop Floor to Global Stage

The machine is particularly advantageous for the Furniture and Aerospace industries. In the Furniture sector, most components require CW–CCW bending, which the rotating head performs seamlessly in a single setting, eliminating re-clamping and dramatically reducing handling time.

For Aerospace applications, production typically happens in varied batches. The machine’s capability to mount six sets of tools simultaneously gives manufacturers the flexibility to switch between components without frequent tool changes. This reduces setup time and enhances productivity and consistency across highly specialized tube geometries across Furniture, Aerospace, Automotive, and other Engineering sectors.

“Machines like the 32CNC11X6-LR strengthen our credibility in global markets by showcasing India’s ability to deliver
advanced tube-forming solutions,” stated Rasquinha on expanding the company’s global footprint. “Such recognition provides international visibility, helping us build trust with OEMs in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.”

By demonstrating proven performance through award-winning innovations, Electro Pneumatics positions itself as a competitive alternative to established global brands. “With cost-efficient engineering, we aim to accelerate export growth across emerging markets,” she added.

The Next Technological Frontier

The company’s R&D focus is aligned with the industry demand for forming high-strength, lightweight, and complex parts at lower energy consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions. To reduce energy consumption, EPHL is moving toward electric-based systems not only in tube benders but also in presses—mechanical, servo-mechanical, and hydraulic, manufactured for various applications as per customer needs.

Future focus areas include deeper integration of embedded intelligence, predictive and prescriptive maintenance, vision-based online measurement, AR/VR, and digital twins for complex forming applications. “With Industry 4.0 adoption growing, our goal is to create intelligent forming systems that self-learn, optimize parameters, reduce trial time, and enhance productivity across all manufacturing environments,” concluded EPHL’s Joint Managing Director.

Sovan Tudu Assistant Editor Magic Wand Media sovan.tudu@magicwandmedia.in