More efficiency, more precision, no bend marks.

FiMAB manufactures electrical enclosure cabinets with the RAS UpDownCenter 2 at a new level of quality

With the RAS UpDownCenter 2, FiMAB has taken the production of electrical enclosure cabinets to a new level. A 66% reduction in bending time, 22% faster welding processes, and bend mark-free visible surfaces clearly demonstrate the benefits. Manufacturing enclosure cabinets from a single blank with automatic setup and precise step bending enables economical batch size 1 production while maintaining exceptional quality.

Today, the second-generation family business employs around 30 people and remains committed to training skilled young professionals.

“Preserving what works while embracing new ideas perfectly reflects who we are,” says Markus Fiedler, Managing Director of FiMAB. Investing in the RAS UpDownCenter 2 was the logical next step in bringing this philosophy to the shop floor.

Electrical enclosure cabinets
Around one quarter of FiMAB’s annual turnover is generated in the electrical enclosure business. The company manufactures high-quality steel and stainless steel enclosure cabinets for customers in the special-purpose machinery and mechanical engineering industries, where dimensional accuracy and repeatability are critical.

“Our customers require enclosure cabinets in a wide variety of sizes and configurations. Producing this level of product variety economically is one of the biggest challenges in manufacturing,” explains Markus Fiedler.

Orders from an online configurator are transferred directly to production. CNC programs for laser cutting and metal folding are created automatically and transferred directly to production, enabling economical batch size 1 manufacturing.

Previously, enclosure cabinets were produced on a press brake, requiring multiple parts, extensive setup work, manual turning of the sheet metal between bending operations, and numerous weld seams. Press brake bending also left visible bend marks on the surface. For high-quality enclosure cabinets with visible surfaces, this was a significant quality disadvantage. Side panels had to be welded separately and precisely aligned, resulting in additional production time and increasing the risk of assembly errors.

The UpDownCenter 2 as a powerful bending center
With bending lengths up to 4,060 mm, box heights up to 600 mm and a capacity of 4 mm mild steel, the machine is ideally suited to FiMAB’s production.

The machine is operated from the gauging side, while long or high flanges can be removed from the folding beam side when required, ensuring ergonomic handling and reliable material flow.

Made from a single piece rather than from multiple parts
FiMAB selected the RAS UpDownCenter 2 because it enables the production of deep electrical enclosure cabinets from a single sheet blank. “Our key requirement was the ability to manufacture deep cabinets from a single blank. This reduces weld seams and eliminates potential sources of error,” explains Thomas Ohngemach, Production Manager at FiMAB.

Another key advantage of metal folding technology is the absence of bend marks. Smooth surfaces reduce rework while improving the appearance of finished enclosure cabinets.

Processing sheet thicknesses from 0.5 to 3.0 mm, UpDown bending keeps the blank on one side throughout the process, simplifying handling of large-format parts while improving repeatability.

Automatic setup for seamless production
Automatic setup keeps production flowing. While the operator loads the next part, the machine changes tooling automatically, eliminating manual tool changes and ensuring continuous production.

Especially for individually configured enclosure cabinets, this automation ensures a seamless workflow and economical batch size 1 production.

Measurable efficiency gains throughout the entire process chain
For the past three years, the UpDownCenter 2 has delivered measurable productivity gains at FiMAB. Manufacturing enclosures from a single blank has reduced material cutting requirements by 17%, while bending time has been cut by 66% through automatic setup, reduced manual gauging, and fewer adjustments. Welding processes are also 22% faster, as separately attaching and aligning side panels is no longer required. The result is greater dimensional accuracy, highly repeatable production, and virtually error-free assembly.

Software that simply works
Ease of use was another key factor in FiMAB’s decision. Programs can be created directly at the machine or in the office, while the intuitive RAS Bendex software enables quick adaptation to different enclosure sizes. Compared with alternative solutions, Bendex proved considerably easier to use.

Another advantage was the ability to manufacture box heights of up to 500 mm, a feature rarely found in comparable systems. Close proximity to RAS, personal support, and the opportunity to test sample parts further reinforced FiMAB’s investment decision.

A future-proof investment
The RAS UpDownCenter 2 has fundamentally transformed FiMAB’s electrical enclosure production. Fewer weld seams, bend mark-free surfaces, precise step bending, shorter setup times, and measurable productivity gains have made the machine a key element of FiMAB’s manufacturing strategy.
“Choosing the UpDownCenter 2 was the right decision for us. We work more efficiently, achieve greater precision, and consistently deliver higher quality to our customers,” concludes Markus Fiedler.

Visit us at Euroblech in Hanover hall 11 booth B154