Gasparini Press Brakes: Innovation Through the Years
For more than half a century, Gasparini Press Brakes have played a central role in the evolution of European hydraulic press brake design. Early hydraulic lines like the PSG and PBS series established Gasparini Industries’ reputation for long-lived, high-tonnage machines that could handle demanding sheet metal applications.
In the 1990s and 2000s, refinements in CNC controls and multi-axis backgauges gave rise to models such as the PBS-LA and XB series, which became staples in many fabrication shops.
Today, the company’s flagship X-Press family—from Easy to Next to fully customized builds—embodies the shift toward modularity, Industry 4.0 connectivity, and adaptive forming technologies. Gasparini’s press brakes provide a clear window into how the industry itself has changed.
Gasparini Model Families and Naming
Gasparini press brakes are identified by force (t) and bending length (mm). For example, X Press 30/1250 means a press brake rated at 30 tonnes (≈ 300 kN) with a 1 250 mm maximum bending length.
Gasparini Press Brakes are grouped into families:
| Family/Series | Approx. Sales Period | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
|
X Press Easy / Next / SuperCustom |
2010s–present |
Modular hydraulic press brakes offered in Easy (standard), Next (advanced), and SuperCustom (bespoke) versions. Features include heavy bolted frame for rigidity, wide range of backgauge axes, Reflex frame deflection compensation, Active Crowning (ACSG1 & ACSG2), GPS4 bending angle control, and tool clamping options. The inverter drive delivers power only during bending, saving up to ~50% energy and reducing oil temperature. Machines can be fitted with Delem DA 66T/DA 69T CNC or Gasparini’s Phoeni x CNC (built on Cybelec), which imports 2D/3D files and supports intuitive programming. |
|
X Press ECO/ECO+ |
2020s–present |
Energy-saving variant of the X Press. Catalogs note speeds up to 230 mm/s and reduced oil temperature with automatic standby. Multiple backgauge axis configurations are available. |
|
PBS series |
1990s–early 2000s |
Older hydraulic CNC press brakes. Examples include PBS 105/3000 (1997) with 1 050 kN force, 3 000 mm length, Delem DA 24e control; and PBS 165/4000 FP (2004) with 1 650 kN, 4 000 mm length, Delem DA 65. |
|
PSG series |
Late 1980s–early 2000s |
High-tonnage brakes listed in Gasparini’s RPS backgauge manuals (models PSG 200–800). Sales likely overlapped with PBS. |
|
X-Basic series |
Early 2000s |
Gasparini’s X‑Basic series (often branded simply “XB”) was an early‑2000s line of CNC hydraulic press brakes positioned between the lightweight PB/PBS machines and the heavier PSG range. In a 2009 snapshot of Gasparini’s website the company promoted X‑Basic alongside X‑Press and PSG as a new range designed to meet high standards of quality, reliability and productivity; it highlighted the series’ sturdy, customizable structures and a force range of 50 to 170 tons. Machines were identified by the prefix XB or X-Basic followed by their nominal tonnage and bending length (in millimetres), such as XB50/2000 or XB170/4000. |
|
Phoeni-x CNC |
Mid 2010s–present |
Gasparini’s CNC platform built on Cybelec hardware, supporting 3D (.iges) and 2D (.dxf) imports, automated sequences, and machine parameter management. (Note: Some sources informally refer to “Phoenix,” but this is not a separate machine model.) |
Troubleshooting Gasparini Press Brakes
Problems with Third-Party Add-ons
Gasparini integrates safety systems, clamping/crowning, CNC controls and sheet-handling from specialist suppliers. This flexibility brings challenges:
- Split responsibilities: Some vendors (e.g., Lazer Safe) direct OEM-embedded system support through the machine builder. Downtime can extend if roles aren’t clear.
- Regulatory nuances: Certain guarding models are restricted to specific regions; compliant variants must be used in regulated territories.
- Warranty fragmentation: Tooling/clamping (e.g., Wila) carries separate warranty terms (often 1 year, consumables excluded).
- Integration & calibration: Safety systems and CNC controls require proper installation, alignment, and parameterization. Third-party installation can complicate support.
Common Third Party Add-ons to Gasparini Press Brakes
- Lazer Safe Sentinel/Defender/IRIS – Laser guarding systems; warranty/support via OEM/dealer for embedded units. Some retrofit kits available in selected territories.
- Fiessler AKAS – SIL 3/PL e laser optical guarding; North American service by Press Brake Safety (authorized repair facility).
- Wila hydraulic clamping/crowning – Fast tool change, bed/ram deflection compensation; 1-year warranty through Wila or dealer.
- Delem CNC controls (DA-66T/DA-69T, Profile-T) – Widely used; support primarily routed via OEM, not directly to end users.
- Sheet followers/lifters – Reduce operator load; warranty/support varies by supplier.
Typical Third Party Add-on Issues
- “Who owns the fault?” ping-pong – Responsibility between OEM vs. supplier.
- Regulatory mismatch on guarding – Kits not passing local safety audits.
- Alignment/calibration drift – Leads to nuisance stops and cycle errors.
- Warranty gaps – Add-on warranties may not align with machine warranties.
- Control/software support confusion – Issues often must be routed through Gasparini for escalation.
Problems with Gasparini Control Systems
The Legacy Challenge: Older Machines Without Modern Controls
Older Gasparini press brakes (1970s–1990s) often had:
- Rudimentary NC or relay-based controls.
- Limited programmability and diagnostics.
- No offline programming.
These machines struggle with modern CAD/CAM workflows or safety retrofits. Upgrades are possible but costly.
Third-Party CNC Dependence
Gasparini relies on Delem (Netherlands) and sometimes ESA (Italy). This creates:
- Split support responsibilities.
- Mixed fleet complexity (different models/features across machines).
- Risk of obsolescence (unsupported CNCs like DA‑24/DA‑41).
- Integration dependencies (CNC + crowning, hydraulics, safety).
Gasparini Press Brake Control Options Over Time
- Pre-2000s: Basic NC, Delem DA‑24/DA‑41/DA‑51, relay panels.
- 2000s–2010s: Delem DA‑65/66, ESA controls, PC-based HMIs.
- 2020s: Delem DA‑66T/DA‑69T with 3D simulation, Gasparini Phoeni‑x CNC, Industry 4.0 links, Tele-Link remote support.
Common Control Problems
- CNC obsolescence.
- Mixed training burden.
- Integration mismatches after retrofits.
- Support ambiguity (OEM vs. Delem/ESA).
- High upgrade costs relative to machine value.
Gasparini Upgrade Solutions from Automec
When modernization is needed, owners can:
- Replace the entire machine: high cost, new features, warranty, but long lead times and retraining.
- Retrofit: Automec Inc. offers a cost-effective way to extend the life of an existing Gasparini press brake. Automec specializes in American-made backgauge systems and CNC control upgrades (CNC 150, 300, 600, PC800), designed to bring older brakes up to modern productivity standards without replacing the entire frame and hydraulics. Automec has installed 15,000+ systems, offering strong domestic service and incremental upgrades without full replacement cost.
In short: replacement maximizes performance but costs more, while Automec retrofits preserve existing investments and deliver substantial control upgrades at a lower cost.
Reach out to the Automec team for advice on retrofitting or upgrading your Gasparini Press Brake.