LVD Strippit B-Series

Yes, the B-Series is a logical first CNC punch press for shops currently using manual punch presses, drill press and layout punching, or ironworkers for sheet metal hole patterns. The productivity step from manual to CNC punching is substantial: a part requiring 30 minutes of layout, center punch, drill press, and deburr time can often be completed in 2-5 minutes on a CNC punch press. The B-Series provides this step-change at a lower entry price than the S-Series. Considerations for the transition: (1) Tooling investment — build the turret library progressively, starting with the most common hole sizes and adding forming tools as needed; (2) CAM training — CADMAN-P requires 2-5 days of training for a machinist or fabricator with CAD experience; (3) Material handling — a sheet loading cart or basic automatic loader is recommended to prevent the machine from being bottlenecked by manual sheet loading.

Programs written in CADMAN-P for the S-Series can generally be opened on the B-Series control, but with important differences: (1) Station count — if the S-Series program uses 35 tool stations and the B-Series has only 28 stations, the program will flag the missing stations as errors; the operator must reassign or substitute tools to fit within the B-Series turret capacity; (2) Tonnage — if any punching operations in the S-Series program require more than 200 kN (the B-Series limit), those operations must be reviewed for feasibility; (3) Sheet format — programs written for a larger sheet format (S-Series 2050) will not transfer directly to a B-Series 1530. For shops running both B-Series and S-Series machines, CADMAN-P handles program sharing within these constraints and can flag incompatibilities automatically.

A practical starter tooling kit for a new B-Series in a job shop environment: A-station round punches (10 sizes from 3 mm to 25 mm, covering the most common hole sizes); B-station round punches (25-50 mm); square and rectangular punches (10-20 mm and 25-50 mm, 5-10 sizes); oblong (slot) punches for ventilation slots; louver tool (standard 70 mm or 80 mm louver); dimple tool; countersink tool (M5, M6, M8); center mark/scribe tool; and a knockout punch for standard conduit knockouts if electrical enclosures are in the mix. Total starter kit: 20-30 tool sets, approximate cost $8,000-$18,000 depending on tool quality grade. Sourcing: Wilson Tool, Mate Precision Tooling, and Dayton Progress all offer Thick Turret tooling compatible with the B-Series at competitive pricing.

Microjointing (also called tabbing or skeleton retention) keeps punched parts attached to the sheet skeleton by leaving small uncut bridges at the part perimeter, preventing parts from falling through the die and jamming the sheet movement system. The B-Series supports microjointing through CADMAN-P nesting: the user specifies tab width (typically 0.5-1.5 mm) and tab placement logic (number of tabs per part, placement on straight edges vs. corners), and CADMAN-P generates the punch program with the appropriate nibbled outlines and tabs. After punching, the sheet exits the machine as a grid of finished parts still connected to the skeleton by tabs. An operator then manually breaks the parts from the skeleton. For higher automation, a part-in-sheet sorting system with automated tab breaking can be added, but this is typically not used with entry-level B-Series installations.

LVD provides warranty support for the B-Series through LVD's North American subsidiary (LVD Company, headquartered in Grand Island, New York) and through its network of regional service centers and authorized dealers. Standard warranty: typically 12 months on mechanical components and CNC control hardware from installation date. Service: LVD offers service contracts providing preventive maintenance visits, priority phone support, and discounted parts. Remote diagnostics via the CADMAN-P control's Ethernet connectivity allows LVD application engineers to connect to the machine remotely for diagnostics and program troubleshooting. Parts availability: LVD maintains North American parts inventory for the current B-Series generation; delivery for most common parts is 1-3 days. For shops in major fabrication regions (upper Midwest, Southeast, Northeast), LVD field technicians are typically available within 1-3 business days for on-site service.