The PPED-7, with 135 tons of pressing force and a 3-meter working length, was a step change in productivity and capability. Paul Kelly: “The new machine was very easy and quick to set up and the automated programmable backgauges were a big factor.”
The versatility of the machine was a big plus too: “We mostly use thin galvanised steel to form square tubes, offsets, square-to-round transitions and so on. With the new press brake and additional tooling, we can now bend over 90 degrees,” he explains.
Thanks to the increased open height, Kelvent can now bend parts that weren’t possible before – for example, a square end cap with two edges folded inward and two outward. And although the company rarely bends parts up to three meters long, the extended bending length opened the door to new work, including kitchen canopies and larger ducting elements.
Operators quickly embraced the user-friendly Touch-B control, programming jobs directly at the machine. Setup times dropped, bending consistency improved, and workflow bottlenecks disappeared.
The impact was so clear that Kelvent bought a second PPED press brake just six months after installing the first one. The added capacity ensured faster turnaround for next-day customer requests.
Today, approximately 80% of Kelvent’s products—spiral and square ducting, bespoke transitions, offsets and more— are produced on its own equipment.
Together, the two PPED press brakes have not only improved reliability and flexibility but have positioned Kelvent for future growth, enabling the company to take on larger projects and expand its product offering with confidence.
