Prima Power EPB 1530
Key Specifications
press capacity
working length
stroke
open height
throat depth
approach speed
Overview
The Prima Power EPB 1530 is a mid-range electric press brake from Prima Power's EPB (Electric Press Brake) series. Rated at 150 metric tons (165 US tons) across a 3,000 mm (118 in) bending length, it uses a direct servo-electric drive system with no hydraulic components -- no oil, no cooling circuit, and no hydraulic pump motor running in standby. Prima Power, part of the Prima Industrie Group based in Italy, positions the EPB series as their high-productivity electric bending solution for sheet metal fabricators running medium to high part volumes.
The EPB 1530's direct electric drive uses servo motors and a ball screw mechanism to move the ram with high positional accuracy. The servo system enables independent left and right ram control for precise parallelism adjustment, which is critical for accurate bend angles across the full working length. Ram repeatability is specified at ±0.01 mm. Energy consumption is typically 30-50% lower than comparable hydraulic press brakes because the servo motors only operate during active ram motion -- no continuous pump operation during approach, backgauge motion, or dwell.
The control system is the Prima Power P-Series CNC, a touchscreen-based control with graphical 3D bend simulation, automatic bend sequence optimization, and integration with Prima Power's offline CAM software. The P-Series control handles multi-stage bend programs and manages the 6-axis backgauge automatically. The interface is designed for fast job changeover with part library recall and quick re-programming from imported DXF files.
The EPB 1530's 3-meter bed handles standard sheet widths commonly used in HVAC fabrication, enclosure manufacturing, and general structural sheet metal work. At 150 metric tons, the machine bends mild steel up to approximately 5 mm thick on the full working length and up to 12 mm on shorter bend lengths around 1,000 mm. The electric drive enables fast cycle times with approach speeds up to 200 mm/sec and pressing speeds up to 20 mm/sec.
New EPB 1530 pricing typically runs $180,000-$260,000 depending on backgauge specification, optional safety systems, and regional market. This positions the EPB 1530 competitively against the Trumpf TruBend 5130 EVO, LVD Electra BL series, and Bystronic Xpert 100 in the electric press brake segment. Prima Power's broader advantage is integration with their punching and laser cutting machines for shops that want a single-brand sheet metal automation ecosystem. Used EPB 1530 units are less common on the secondary market than Amada or Trumpf equipment due to lower total installed base in North America.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Press Capacity | 1,500 kN / 150 metric tons (165 US tons) |
| Working Length | 3,000 mm (118 in) |
| Stroke | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Open Height | ~450 mm (17.7 in) |
| Throat Depth | ~400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Approach Speed | 200 mm/sec |
| Pressing Speed | 20 mm/sec |
| Return Speed | 180 mm/sec |
| Ram Repeatability | ±0.01 mm |
| Back Gauge Axes | 6-axis CNC |
| CNC Control | Prima Power P-Series CNC (touchscreen with 3D simulation) |
| Drive System | Fully servo-electric (ball screw driven) |
| Power Requirement | 400V 3-phase, ~18 kVA |
| Machine Weight | ~10,500 kg (23,150 lb) |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Fully electric drive eliminates hydraulic oil, cooling circuits, and continuous pump operation -- lower operating costs and no hydraulic leak risk over the machine life
- Independent left and right ram control maintains precise parallelism across the 3-meter bending length, reducing angle variation on long bends
- P-Series control with 3D graphical bend simulation and automatic bend sequence optimization speeds job setup and reduces trial bends for new programs
- Integration with Prima Power's punching and laser cutting machines enables coordinated sheet metal automation for shops building a Prima Power cell
- Energy consumption 30-50% lower than equivalent hydraulic machines -- measurable monthly electricity savings in high-production shops
Limitations
- Prima Power has a smaller North American installed base and service network than Amada or Trumpf -- shops outside major metro areas may face longer service response times
- P-Series control software has a smaller user community than AMNC 3i or Trumpf's TouchPoint -- fewer online resources, training materials, and third-party integrations
- No automatic tool changer option -- high-mix shops doing frequent tool changes must rely on manual setup, which is slower than Amada's ATC-equipped HG series
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
At 150 metric tons across 3,000 mm, the EPB 1530 bends mild steel up to approximately 5 mm thick on the full working length. On shorter bend lengths around 1,000 mm, the available force allows bending up to approximately 12 mm mild steel. Stainless steel requires roughly 1.5x the force of mild steel for equivalent thickness; aluminum requires roughly 0.5x. The CADMAN-B or P-Series control calculates required force automatically based on material, thickness, V-die width, and bend length.
02
Both are servo-electric press brakes with similar energy efficiency and no-hydraulic architecture. Key differences: (1) The Amada HD-SR uses the AMNC 3i control with Amada's larger North American service and training network; (2) The Prima Power EPB uses the P-Series control with tighter integration into the Prima Power machine ecosystem; (3) Amada's AFH angle feedback system is a differentiator for real-time bend angle correction; (4) Shops running Prima Power punching or laser cutters benefit from the single-brand integration that Prima Power offers. For standalone use, both machines are comparable -- the choice comes down to dealer proximity and control preference.
03
The EPB 1530 runs on 400V 3-phase power (50 Hz European standard; 480V 3-phase for North American installations). Peak demand is approximately 18 kVA, significantly less than an equivalent hydraulic machine that runs a continuous pump motor. The fully electric drive means no hydraulic oil storage, no cooling water connection, and no oil disposal infrastructure is required -- a simpler installation than most hydraulic alternatives.
04
The EPB 1530 integrates with Prima Power's offline CAM software suite, which handles DXF/DWG import, flat blank development, bend sequence optimization, and tool selection. The software generates programs that can be transferred directly to the P-Series control on the machine. Prima Power also supports import from common CAD formats including STEP and IGES for 3D unfolding.
05
Yes. Prima Power has a North American operation based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with sales and service support across the US and Canada. However, their dealer and service network is smaller than Amada's or Trumpf's in North America -- prospective buyers should verify service coverage in their region before purchasing. The EPB series is more widely deployed in Europe, where Prima Power's market presence is strongest.
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Community Discussions
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Links to community discussions. Summaries are editorial — visit the original thread for full context.
