Letter Bending Machine
Kegema MLB150

What does a letter bending machine do, and which steps does the MLB150 cover?

A letter bending machine forms narrow metal strips into the returns of channel letters, meaning the side walls that run around illuminated lettering and logos. The Kegema MLB150 combines four operations in one system: feeding, notching, milling and bending. The strip enters the machine through a rolling continuous feed unit, is notched or milled at the future corner points and bent immediately afterwards. There is no re-clamping and no transfer to a second machine.

• Feeding: rolling continuous feed system with AUTONICS encoder, feeding accuracy ± 0.1 mm.
• Notching and milling: milling structure for aluminium profiles with a Korean KORLOY face knife.
• Bending: two-axis coupled bow bending system, minimum bending radius above 10 mm.
• Pressing: two-axis copper roller pressing system, which the manufacturer states works without scratching the material.

Processable materials are flat aluminium, aluminium profile including foam and Channelume material, aluminium edging, stainless steel and galvanised sheet. Motion is handled by four-axis ADTECH or Leetro control cards.

How accurate is the MLB150, and which components determine that accuracy?

The Kegema MLB150 feeds material with an accuracy of ± 0.1 mm. That figure determines how precisely notch, milling cut and bending point align, and how cleanly the return meets its starting point at the end of the loop. The manufacturer lists the assemblies responsible for this individually:

The AUTONICS encoder measures the actual feed rather than deriving it from motor control alone. The KORLOY face knife governs the quality of notch and milling cut, and with it how cleanly the later corner folds. According to the manufacturer, the copper roller pressing system shapes the contour without scratching, which matters on the visible face of stainless steel and coated aluminium profiles. The four-axis control cards coordinate feed, tooling and bending axes in a single sequence.

What power supply and floor space does the MLB150 need?

The Kegema MLB150 runs on 220 V / 50 Hz with a rated power of 3.5 kW. It also requires compressed air at 0.6 to 0.8 MPa. The machine comes as two assemblies: the machine body measures 1500 × 850 × 1550 mm, the feeding table 500 × 500 × 1100 mm. Total weight is approximately 340 kg.

Both assemblies need to be considered together when planning installation. The feeding table sits in line with the machine body, and additional space is needed for the operator at the front and for setting down the finished return. At 340 kg, delivery and in-house transport should be planned with a pallet truck or forklift.