About System Electronics & Presstek
SYSTEM ELECTRONICS Pty. Ltd. was founded by Ralph Krantz in 1981. After spending
the previous 10 years working around the world for US multinationals it was time
offer the market some new ideas. The business would concentrate on precision measurement
and control systems with the research and development functions well financed to
provide a new range of automation products for the Australian market. The first
product line was MBC-900 Building Control System. These systems embraced the idea
of energy management and minimising power costs to large building owners. Used throughout
Australia up until late 1980’s.
System Electronics began motion controller design in late 1982 with the first systems
controlling press brakes. Since that time System Electronics has fitted new or retrofitted
over 500 press brake systems. As always the emphasis is on reliability and accuracy.
A 1000T x 8m press brake from the KLEEN product range. From 1982 to 1990 System
Electronics was the soul provider of control systems to this company. Over 200 systems
were supplied to Kleen Fabricated Products of Brisbane. Running machines from 20T
to 1000T. This 1000T machine is running today on a modern iCON control system
The mainstay of the System Electronic Press control systems from 1982 to 1990.The
Pb2 system was well accepted by users for ease of programming. It was well known
for its reliability and accuracy. Many are still in use to today. The PB2.x versions
system operated simple proportional hydraulic systems. Servo was not well in use
during the early 1980’s. Repeatability was still at +/-0.025mm
SYSTEM ELECTRONICS Pty. Ltd. (SE) Has had to make substantial changes to its business
model to overcome the strong decline in the manufacturing sector in Australia. As
well as continuing research and development to invent new products and improve those
existing it has been an advantage to be able to retrofit most machine tools either
with SE products or with outside purchase items. System Electronics was arguably
the first in the world to produce a graphics simulator interface specifically for
press brake control. This work was complete in early 1985. Shown here in the development
lab of the time. This is the PB4 CNC controller.
SYSTEM ELECTRONICS Pty. Ltd. (SE) works to this day in the retrofit market. Shown
left side are the before and after shots of a 750T Pacific press brake. This machine
was totally rebuilt. Only the steel was kept. New Bosch servo hydraulics was fitted
and the graphical PB4 system was commissioned. It was fitted with a X1 /X2 megga
backgauge to complement the machine’s high productivity. Its used is to press 5mm
ms. For the power poles and guard rails on motor ways. The project date was 1990.
This machine is still working today
Retrofits by System Electronics
System Electronics Pty. Ltd. Has completed hundreds of retrofit systems onto press
brakes. SE controllers have been installed in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada,
United Arab Emirates, UK, Eastern Europe and others. SE made contact with Asian
manufacturers over the years but could not compete on price. This early iCON monochrome
system (left) was the start of the efforts to develop price competitive control
systems for the OEM manufacturer. We believe that this has now been achieved with
the release of the iCON-PC full colour system.
Other iCON applications by System Electronics
CNC multi axis guillotine see application AP0206-PC
CNC Slitter Folder see application for Long Folder AP0205-PC
Rectangle Duct maker see application for Duct Maker AP0210-PC
Roll Former with cut list optimisation see application for Rollformer AP0103-PC
or AP0107-PC with Quad punching
What SE Engineers Do For Fun
Hovercraft “Fly by Wire” control The iCON is a true 6 axis control system capable
of receiving and outputing signals at high rates and to very exacting tolerances.
This hovercraft is deployed at the South/North Korean border. See AP0301F
System Electronics senior engineer David Pendrey pre flights a Hovercraft prior
to delivery This machine is used for sight seeing around the northern coast of Australia
System Electronics is no longer a factory engaged in manufacturing. The iCON product
range hardware and software designs are developed by a dedicated professional group
of engineers and technicians in tropical surroundings with best possible working
conditions for them to produce the best and most enlightened product designs. ICON
products are manufactured in China under strict contract terms. System Electronics
personnel qualify every item to ensure conformity to the highest engineered quality.
Each iCON system is numbered and tracked for the whole life of the product.