Press Brake Guide

All That You Need to Know About Press Brake

Press brakes are widely used in metalworking, and similar to any other kind of certain heavy-duty machinery used in many different manufacturing contexts and there are many interesting facts related to them that are worth knowing.

Why A Press Brake Is Called A Press Brake? 

The press brake has been operating for over a century as the most traditional way of processing metal components. Did you know that in 1882, the first time brake was patented?

Press brakes have progressed into sophisticated equipment that now uses hydraulic systems as well as computer technologies. These contemporary brakes can bend sheet metal easily, offering simple and sophisticated pieces to a range of industries.

The first fully powered press brakes came during the early 1920s, using flywheel-driven machinery, just over a century ago. In the 1970s, several variants of hydraulic press and hydro-mechanical brakes were introduced, followed by electric press brakes during the 2000s.

Still, how did all these machines were named a press brake, whether it is a certain mechanical type press brake or any cutting-edge electric brake? We will have to look up some etymology to find an answer to that query.

In the older English version, it was called “brecan” which changed into “breken” during the Middle English period. In Dutch language, it was called “broken” and in the German language, it was “brechen”. In Gothic terms, “brikan” while in French, it was called “brac” or “bras” which meant a handle, a lever, or arm, and that influenced the term “brake” which has evolved now.

Understanding the Structure of Press Brake

The primary application of press break is to bend the sheet metals. There are various types but the structure of common press brakes is more or less similar to each other. The entire structure will include the frame, worktable, bracket, and camping plate.

The workbench or worktable usually stands on a support, and it has the pressing plate and the base. The base of the workbench will have a coil, cover plate and a seat shell. The hinge connects the clamping plate to the base.

The space inside in the seat shell is where the coil is placed. After that the cover plate is used to close the seat shell. During the application, gravitational force is created by powering the coil through a wire. Heavy force gets applied on the metal plate and the thin sheet moves out from the small gap between the base and pressing plate.

This is just a basic understanding of the structure, but there are many types designed for innovative applications with rotators, stamps, and moulds. The structure will basically depend on the type of metal processing application that is needed. Also, various adjustments and configurations will be needed during the installation for customized requirements.

The components of press breaks are designed by using 3D imaging, so that the structural rigidity of each component is thoroughly analysed. The designers will make sure that the press brake is able to sustain the rigours of the metalworking process.

 

Standard Components:

1. frame
2. controller
3. punch & die
4. hydraulic system
5. electrical system
6. backgauge
7. fast clamp

Other Components:

1. backgauge fingers
2. servo drive
3. 4+1 axis backgauge
4. mechanical crowning
5. laser protection
6. standard front support arm
7. sheet followers
8. front light curtain

 

 

Working Mechanism

Press brakes cut or bend metal into different shapes and forms by employing a die and punch set at predefined angles.

The fundamental basis of brake formation is force often known as tonnage. The overall pressure amount that the punch can apply during a bend is determined by this. The thicker the materials that are bent, the higher the tonnage, and vice versa.

The bending length, which can be the longest length of any sheet metal that is bent, goes hand in hand with the tonnage. Varied machines with different bending lengths and tonnages are necessary for effective fabrication depending on the material size/thickness and application. These parameters are significant because they assist establish the load limit of your press brake, which is measured in tonnes per inch.

Knowing each machine’s press power and load limit is critical since using the incorrect tonnage or length might harm or destroy the equipment. 

 

Applications

Common applications of press brakes are:

• Airframes
• Automotive panels
• Metal artwork
• Metal containers
• Furniture
• Many other applications of sheet metal forming

Industrial applications

Different varieties of press brakes are used for fabrication and metalworking in many different industries, right from aerospace, automotive, and marine engineering and manufacturing to technologically more simple but no less important areas such as signage and construction.

This is made feasible in part by the fact that press brakes exist in a variety of sizes and forms, with large-scale machines taking on your most difficult industrial tasks within huge corporations, while smaller models are used in smaller fabrication shops.

Common Press Brake Features

One of the oldest types of mechanical metal deformation processes is brake-making. A sheet metal piece is created along a straight-line axis during the procedure. A “V” shaped, “U” shaped, or channel-shaped die and punch set can help with this.

Although press braking looks to be a simple concept, it can be challenging to maintain accuracy. The tooling, the press, and the material of the work-piece all play a role in precision bending. The quantity of spring back is affected by material qualities such as ductility, yield strength, hardness, and the state of the material.

Air bending is the most prevalent method of industrial press braking. Three-point bending is used in air bending. How far the punch point can penetrate the “V” cavity determines the bend angle. The greater the angle obtained, the deeper the punch point penetrates.

Because of the leverage effect, air bending takes far less force as compared to other ways to accomplish a 90° bend.

 

A few metal process of brake forming characteristics include:

• Its capability to form various ductile materials
• The requirement for minimal tooling use 
• Its use in the low and medium-range of production run applications,
• Its suitability for producing smaller parts

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Press Brake

Let us see a few advantages and also how it can assist your bending business:

1. Pressure control

Most hydraulic presses contain certain pressure relief valves. Therefore, you can insert any pressure you need and the machine will repeat your pre-set pressure continuously.

2. Lifting and pressing

Mostly these press brake machines will have double-acting cylinders hence you can have a certain lifting force and also pressing force.

3. Adaptability

These hydraulic press brakes are useful to increase the adaptability of any application. Some of the very common adaptations that you can include are: 

• Traversing work heads
• Dual palm buttons
• Pressure control

4. Simple Design

Most hydraulic press brake machine is straightforward to use and have a very simple design. If you follow the instructions and maintain them regularly, you should be able to use them for years with no problems. A press brake has a small number of moving parts and low maintenance expenses.

5. Pressure tonnage

The tonnage of any press brake machine is going to remain the same whether it is operated with the help of electric, air, or manual pump. The use of air and electric operated models will speed up and simplify the process to reach tonnage. The manual operation, on the other hand, may not provide you with the exact outcome.

6. Choosing your right machine

Determining which sort of press brake equipment to use for your material might be tricky. However, if you are aware of the answers to 3 simple questions, such as size, speed, and pressure, this work will be much easier.

The press brake’s size is a key aspect of any machine. The brake size controls the machine’s opening. The amount of the necessary operation is determined by its pressure.

Experts advise that you use twice as much tonnage as is needed. This is required for safety and to ensure that your press brake machine lasts a long time. The speed defines how often the parts of the press brake machine, such as prima parts, should be cycled for your product. 

7. Low cost

Hydraulic-type press brake machines are inexpensive and quite easy to operate. In the flow of pressured oil, there are fewer moving components with grease. In comparison to any mechanical press brake equipment, the breakdown times are also shorter.

In comparison to any mechanical type of press brake machine, replacing hydraulic press brake goods is straightforward and economical. The best thing about replacing parts in any hydraulic machine is, you don’t have to open the machine up completely.

This translates to lower maintenance costs and increased uptime. Parts for hydraulic type press brake machines, such as prima parts, are available from suppliers online.

8. More capacity

Stroke lengths of typically 12”, 18”, and 24” are common, but in case you need, then it is possible to increase it. That will mean more bending capacity for working on metal sheets.

9. Makes less noise

The press-brake machine’s noise level is reduced since hydraulic press brakes do not have rotating parts or flywheels. There are pumping units that are correctly sized and installed that are quieter than the federal noise standards.

Because you can regulate each phase of your RAM movement, also you can control the level of noise. This allows you to do the task with less stress and greater efficiency.

10. Safety

Both mechanical and hydraulic type press brake machines are safe to use if you follow the application instructions carefully. If you don’t, the machines can become less efficient and produce outcomes that are not as expected.

You still get safety with hydraulic press brake machines since you can simply control the RAM movements. You can also use an interlock guard and other safety features found in hydraulic press brake equipment.

 

A few disadvantages of press brake machines are as follows:

• Material handling: For large sheets, there are certain difficulties in material handling 
• Tooling: Top and bottom tooling needed. During the bending operation, the flange length should extend across the die, limiting the size of the flange.
• Spring back: The recovery of any elastic deformation causes spring back at the end of the bending operation. The rebound phenomenon has a direct impact on the work-piece’s dimensional correctness and must be managed. 

Comparison between Different Types of Press Brake

In various metalworkings, press brakes are extensively used, which is heavy-duty machinery generally deployed in manufacturing environment.

In simple words, we can say that press brakes are a kind of press meant for bending any sheet metal. It can form bends at any desired location on the sheet just by clamping the particular work piece in between a suitably matching die and punch.

 

There are different types of such press brakes used in the industry:

Hydraulic press brake

Since the seventies, hydraulic press brakes have been used by most manufacturing companies, and they are meant for both specialized kinds of sheet metal work as well as continuous industrial production activities. 

Usually, these machines are driven by using 2 synchronized hydraulic cylinders. These press brakes are much safer to use and also less expensive than most of the other mechanical press brakes. 

There are several advantages offered by hydraulic press brakes. They are as follows:

• Higher rate of speed
• Low drag
• Can easily handle almost any kind of application
• Can easily withstand heavy loads
• Can provide high pressure. 

Nowadays, they are very widely used in many different industries and progressively they are now being replaced by most industries including aircraft industries with CNC machines.

Hydraulic press brakes can be classified in 2 ways – direct and indirect type. Indirect press brakes exert pressure by a linear or rotary motion and can easily be operated either manually or automatically. They are generally available in many different styles for suiting different purposes. These may include rotary drums, roller, and also centrifugal brake machines.

These press brakes are used for many tasks like:

• Loading and unloading
• Painting
• Lifting
• Measuring
• Stripping
• Piercing

Generally, the higher the tonnage of the equipment, the higher will be the pressure generated. It is because of this reason that any smaller or compact medium-sized press brakes are found on the market.

Hydraulic press brakes are known for offering their durability and reliability. You can find them in many different sizes. Small-sized ones are more suitable for thin and lighter materials whereas large-sized ones are needed for materials that can be thick and can go a considerable amount of distance. 

Hydraulic machine tools mostly use a certain electric motor for applying constant pressure on the materials that are moved thereby exerting a certain pressure that can be ideal for various uses in manufacturing. 

With technological progress, new and advanced types of hydraulic machine tools now have been developed that are readily available on the market for helping you to work with ease to reduce stress levels.

 

Electric press brake 

These days, even electronically operated press brakes are also becoming quite popular, and these presses generally rely on a certain motor for exerting the necessary mechanical force on any work piece. Also, they can operate very precisely and also quickly, which makes them quite an efficient and cost-effective option.

Because of the ever-increasing demand for decreasing carbon footprint, it has become necessary to find an alternate and efficient press brake. This new technology of using all-electric press brakes, therefore, was created. The aim was to produce a certain all servo-electric press brake that would reduce fossil fuel consumption by a minimum of 50% or more. 

• Friendly user interface.
• Servo electric press brakes offer the following advantages:
• 100 percent electric power and no oil.
• Up to 50 percent less energy consumption as compared to any hydraulic press brakes.
• Up to 35 percent faster as compared to any hydraulic press brakes.
• High precision and efficiency.
• Eco friendly.
• Less noise.
• Full bending length for the side frames.
• High bending speed
• Less maintenance cost.

What is an electro-hydraulic synchronous press brake?

An electro-hydraulic synchronous press brake is embedded with a high-quality CNC controller. The overall structure of the machine is welded to offer a perfect structure so that it can be used for a longer run. The servo valve can help for precise positioning. This principle will be more advantageous over any traditional type of press brakes.

This equipment is also quite flexible to make practical applications of advanced control features by using numerical control. When compared to any other press machine, this machine is found to be very effective to bring out repeatability and precision.

Pneumatic press brake 

Pneumatic press brakes generally deliver the pressing action by using compressed air as a pressure source. Pneumatic press brakes are used for bending, shearing, forming, punching, extruding, drawing, and assembly. These kinds of presses cannot supply as much force as any hydraulic press brakes can offer, however, they provide a very fast and clean operation.

Mechanical press brake

The mechanical press brakes are also having high demand on the market because of their robust fabrication and also interlocked design. Due to the various nature of mechanisms used and also inherent rating offered by many industries, these mechanical press brakes can easily handle tonnages. They usually operate through a certain motor installed inside the brake device.

The electric motor used will spin a belt that is connected to a flywheel. This will be transferred by means of a series of a few gears. These gears will drive its ram regularly up and down. In order to start the press, a flywheel will be connected to a certain brake and clutch system, which will allow the flywheel to spin even without actuating the ram.

 

Comparison of different types of press brake

CNC press brake vs. NC press brake 

The comparison between CNC and NC press brake can always be done under the following few parameters:

1. Structure

The NC and CNC press brakes are designed based on different principles as a result there will be different synchronous structures available on both ram sides.

2. Accuracy

The synchronization of NC press brakes is controlled mechanically while in CNC press brakes it will be controlled digitally and as a result, it will offer better accuracy.

3. Working speed

Because of the cylinder limitation, the working speed of NC machines can never match with the speed of any CNC press brakes. Therefore, the working efficiency of CNC machines will be much higher. 

4. Machine rigidity

Due to design limitations, NC machines cannot be bent by using partial load however on CNC machines, both Y1 and Y2 axis can work independently by the partial load.

5. Crowning system

Usually, most NC machines may not have any crowning system at all however, in all CNC machines; a crowning system will control various parameters of the operation.

6. CNC axis

Generally, the NC press brake can control X and Y axis only but the CNC press brake can control the 3+1 axis. Also, there are options available to control the 4+1, 5+1, 7+ and 8+1 axis as well.

Electric press brake vs. hydraulic press brake

Let us list out a few important features of any hydraulic press brake

• Hydraulic press brake adopts the hydraulic mode of transmission mode. There are oil cylinders available at the machine tool’s both ends and placed on its sliding block to drive the whole operation directly.

• The NC/CNC torsion shaft type is the original version of these hydraulic bending machines.

• The manufacturer later introduced the new version of electro-hydraulic synchronous press brake.

Therefore, your understanding about hydraulic bending machine cannot be limited to a few most common type of press brake. Nowadays, there is plenty of high-end type of hydraulic press brakes available for sale, which is worth buying.

Recently manufacturers have introduced for achieving energy-saving and also high efficiency, electro-hydraulic servo press brake and hybrid type of servo press brake to meet the requirements of different users.

Now let us see the features of the electric press brake

• These press brake machines use servo-electronic bending technology, which is called electric press brake, electronic press brake, or E-brake.

• It can adopt full electric drive as well as full working length of back gauge. There will be no harmful hydraulic oil. Operations will be noiseless and slow CO₂ emission will be very low.

• One of the most important features of an all-electric press brake will be that it will not use any hydraulic pressure for bending metal, but will completely rely on a motor driving mechanism for bending.

Hydraulic press brakes will be superior to any electric press brakes in terms of their price. As compared with any electric version, the hydraulic press brake is much more affordable for any manufacturing company engaged in metal forming jobs. 

Even if you have a limited budget, you can buy any hydraulic model and use your resources for some other technology needs. Any hydraulic press brake will be your right option in case your jobs will involve simple bends on very large work-pieces. Even if you require a press brake of capacity higher than 300 tons for bending the materials that you handle, you can go for the hydraulic option.

If you look at it in terms of your bending accuracy, then press brakes will be much superior to any hydraulic press brakes. An electric type of machine will be ideal if you are looking for any complex or multi-work piece parts having almost no difference. 

In case your store is using expensive materials, then going for an electric press brake will be a wise investment decision, as the reduction of your waste is going to pay for the upfront costs of your machine faster. 

Those workshops that have to extend their production cycles, save electricity cost and improve cornering accuracy, then electric press brakes will be the right choice.

C.Electro-hydraulic synchronous press brake vs. torsion axis synchronous press brake

 

Let us discuss the features of the electro-hydraulic type of press brake:

• The hydraulic system is adopted for solving the influence of any deformation of your slider during the process of bending on your work piece and affecting the quality. The compensation amount is can however be automatically adjusted by using a CNC control system.

• It will adopt a fully functional mechanism and can control multiple shafts. Functional parts can be guide rails, bearings, lead screws, etc.

• The machine body can adopt an integral type of welded structure, which is quite convenient for transporting and processing and will ensure your machine tool accuracy.

• The main components e.g. the fuselage and also the slider can all be analysed by using analysis software for ensuring the reliability of your machine tool.

There can be a big difference between these two. The one uses a torsion shaft for connecting the left and right-side swing rods, etc., to form a torsion shaft and forces a synchronization mechanism for keeping the up/down motion of all cylinders at the sides fully synchronized. 

The difference between any electro-hydraulic servo CNC press brake and torsion axis synchronous press brakes are as follows:

1. It will adopt a certain hydraulic control system e.g. proportional Electrohydraulic servo valve or EHSV as well as a grating ruler and create a closed-loop system control. Torsional axis synchronous hydraulic press brake uses a certain mechanical synchronization technique. On the other hand, an electrohydraulic synchronization will be a synchronized servo proportionate valve technique.

2. The body of this torsion shaft, on the other hand, has a low machining accuracy and so cannot match the accuracy criteria of the servo proportional valve. 

3. The result is still inadequate when compared to the torsion axis servo CNC press brake machine, even when the torsion axis synchronous press brake is forcibly transformed into a CNC electro-hydraulic press brake.

4. The cost of retrofitting the torsion axis press brake with an electro-hydraulic servo is extremely costly in terms of actual costs. It is necessary to add a precision back gauge, proportional servo valve, and an electro-hydraulic CNC brake press machine system, as well as a grating ruler at the same time, now it is possible to add a precision back gauge.

The hydraulic valve, balancing shaft, and any other components of your torsion shaft press brake must also be dismantled, which not only takes a lot of time but also costs a lot of money. The properties of the electro-hydraulic servo CNC press brake are well known. 

The above is the only difference between this machine and the torsion axis CNC press brake. These two bending machines might be chosen depending on the situation.

 

9 Factors to Consider While Selecting a Press Brake Machine

All across the industry, press brake machines are commonly found, which are machine tools meant for bending any sheet metal pieces into pre-programmed shapes by placing between punch and die. When these 2 toolsets come close together the sheet metal piece will be bent.

For most fabrication shops electric controlled press brakes are becoming the most preferred choice that must increase their safety and bending accuracy, boost productivity, improve the environmental credentials, and save money on electricity bills. They also offer a few benefits of low noise and less maintenance.

1. As Per The Material And Thickness Of The Workpiece 

Before selecting your press brake, first, you must know the type of metal you will like to bend. Then you must decide the particular characteristics that must be considered while calculating your part bend. For example:

• The material’s tensile strength
• The V width 
• The length and thickness of your metal
• Your part’s inner radius
• The folding/bending length of your press brake

You need to consider the thickest and hardest material that you will prefer to run in your new press brake. Usually, press brakes are classified by their capacity to bend MS (Mild Steel) because all of the bending charts of this material will denote, however, you must keep it in your mind that anything thicker as compared to 14 gauge today will be A36 and hence will be much harder and also closer to the stainless-steel forming properties.

Then the question is whether we should prefer an electric controlled press brake or any hydraulic control press brake? Which type of press brake should we select?

The hydraulic press brakes

• Here the punch will move by means of a certain hydraulic cylinder’s system.
• It will allow high bending capacities.
• It will operate continuously.
• It needs regular maintenance.
• It is stronger than any electric press brake.
• It is much cheaper.
• Suitable for any simple bending operations.

The electric press brakes

• It will be equipped with few servomotors.
• It can achieve far greater productivity gains.
• There will be less maintenance 
• The servomotors draw energy only when the machine will perform.
• The machine will offer more flexibility.
• It is more expensive, but operating costs will be lower.

Once you decided on these characteristics, you must then try to calculate the required tonnage for your bending operation.

2. How Many Tons Of Press Brake Do I Need?

Actually, this refers to what is the bending capacity of your press brake. Therefore, while selecting a press brake, few other considerations are to be made for your facility that could be any or all of the following:

• The type of material
• Material thickness
• Material length
• What process is being employed?
• About die opening.

The tonnage is actually the pressing force needed for your press brake. The tonnage can determine your amount of pressure, which can be applied during bending by the punch. You need to remember to size the press brake up to only 80 percent of the capacity needed as working with any machinery with full capacity is going to wear it out very quickly.

Any high tonnage will allow hard and thick metals to be easily bent, while low tonnage will be suitable for any thin metals.

Warning:  

Any selection of incorrect tonnage (whether too low or high) may damage the press brake or the part that you are trying to bend. For calculating the tonnage of your press brake, you have to refer to its operating manual or you can look at any tonnage table.

In case you are not able to calculate your machine tonnage, then it will always be better to approach your manufacturer with whom you are trying to negotiate. Your manufacturer can help you in calculating the actual bending force needed for every task.

3. Length

What will be the maximum width of your material that you are going to bend and also what will be your maximum flanges material present in the press brake that you are going to bend? Both these two questions will be very critical in deciding the total bending length that you are going to need on your selected press brake. 

If you are bending a maximum of up to 10 inches of material but however, your flange happens to be 12 inches then most likely you will have to move it up to a width of 12 feet bed so that it can enable you to pass 10 feet of material totally through your press brake. Your main objective here is to find what press brake width will be needed.

4. Die And Punch

Let us discuss how will you select die and pinch for the press brake machine:

Die selection

If you want to get maximum out of your investment then select a minimum lower die that is going to cover your entire range of metal thickness that your shop will form. Prefer to shop with a little bit of tribal knowledge, certain unforeseen applications, and also with limited budget, you should try to select lower dies by using the 8 by 2 rule.

First, you must determine the range of thicknesses of metal that you are going to bend. As an example, let us say that you might have to bend material of 0.030 inches through 0.250 inches thick.

Secondly, try to assess your smallest V die required by multiplying your thinnest metal by figure 8. In the present case, 0.030-inch material would require the smallest die, therefore, 0.030 × 8 = 0.24, which we will round up to a value of 0.25.

Thirdly, assess your largest V die required by multiplying your thickest metal by figure 8. In the present case, your thickest material is 0.250 inches would require the largest die will be: 0.250 × 8 = 2.

Now you have determined your smallest and also the largest die that you need, which is 0.25 and 2 inches. Therefore, for filling in what you require in between, you must start with your smallest V die and also double its size. 

In the present case, that will give you a 0.5-inch die (0.25 × 2 = 0.5). And next, double this 0.5-inch die to get 1.0 inches, then again double that for getting 2.0 in. This will give you a minimum figure of 4 different V-die openings for bending 0.030 inches to 0.250-inch. And the material will be 

• 0.25 inch
• 0.5 inch
• 1 inch
• 2 inches

Punch selection

Also, you will use material thickness for determining the minimum upper punches numbers. For any material of 0.187 inches and thinner, you may use an offset knife punch of acute type with a 0.04-inch radius. 

Due to the acute angle, it will allow bending past 90°, and the offset will allow you to form the J shapes. For handling the higher number of forces while forming material between the thickness of 0.187inch and 0.5 inches, consider a straight type of punch having a radius of about 0.120-inch.

5. Consumables Part Of Press Brake

Whether you have a certain small type of job shop, or you are any high production manufacturer, your number of consumable parts needed in a day can decide not only how your press brake is going to be equipped but also how it will be loaded as well. 

While buying any press brake you also will require to know how fast you are able to produce your quality parts either by hand or if any automation will be needed. Your basic aim is to determine whether you will need any robotics or some other kind of automation.

6. Whether It Is Easy To Operate

The precision tooling as well as press brakes available today can reach unprecedented accuracy levels. Also by proper use of the right kind of tools and also consistent material, your press brake operation may bend any flange to a certain specific angle with also a certain specific bend radius inside. 

However, again, air bending may form inside bend radius up to a certain percentage of your die opening, and also having the right kind of tools matters. Specifying several different, or radii with very tight tolerance is going to increase your tooling cost. Also, the more tools that you may need, you are going to have more changeovers, which may increase your cost even more.

However, if sheet metal component designers follow a few basic criteria when designing parts, they may make tooling selection and the overall bending process much easier:

The bend radius inside should be 1.5 times the metal thickness. Your flange length must be at least 6 times your metal thickness. This may apply also holes in the part; that is, holes must be located away from your bend line at a certain distance that is at least 6 times your material thickness.

Your offset web dimension must be a minimum of 10 times that of metal thickness. There are exceptions to all these rules, and each may come with complications. You may prefer to use a certain narrower V-die opening for bending a tighter radius or also a shorter flange.

However, bending too sharp a radius can have the risk of creasing your bend line and also exceeding the tonnage rating needed for your tooling and also the press brake. Also, you can bend a much narrower offset, however, again, that will need a special tool and also significant forming tonnage.

In case any part does not require a short flange, a tight radius, or a narrow offset, then why complicate matters? You must follow these 3 basic rules and you will improve the angular performance, reduce tool cost, and shorten setup time.

7. Output Rate

You can easily decide this based on the following 2 factors:

Are you having a very small business? or 

Are you having a very large-scale manufacturing business?

While buying any press brake, it is essential that you must know how fast quality parts you can produce.

8. Maintenance And Safety

Press brake maintenance for preparing your press brake

Before you do the cleaning, it is essential that you must first prepare your machine to make sure of your safety as well as that of your other colleagues.

We will recommend the procedure as follows:

• At the beginning of every work shift, try to inspect the machine for checking that your table and the die area are completely free of residues from the last shift.
• Delimit your areas with signs and barriers.
• Lower your mobile beam until your top tool tip touches your bottom tool. You may keep your tools closed till all your maintenance work is fully completed.
• Switch off your power supply and also padlock your main dis-connector switch available on your electrical cabinet door.
• Now turn your main switch to the position ‘0’.
• Follow the 5 precautions during the maintenance of the press brake that has been mentioned in the subsequent paragraphs.
• While combined with the correct use of press brake, scheduled maintenance can make a significant difference in the performance and efficiency of your press brake machine.
• While carrying out repair or maintenance work, you must always follow all the instructions that are provided in the maintenance manual of your press brake.
• The following are the generic precaution list that you must observe:
• Avoid using solvents and other flammable materials
• Take proper care to avoid dispersing any cooling lubricants out in the environment
• Try to use suitable equipment for accessing the highest parts of your machine
• Never climb on any of the parts of your machine as they are not designed for supporting people
• When your work gets completed, secure and reinstate all the safety devices and also guards that were removed, disabled, or opened previously

9. Budget

Your new press brake is a significant investment, and your machine is going to last for decades. The costs for any small brake can run between $50,000 and $120,000. If you are going for any large brakes then you must have a budget of almost half a million dollars.

Therefore, you need to weigh the benefits of making such an investment because it is not a light decision to buy this machine. However, if you go for any Chinese manufacturers of such machines then you will get a significant amount of savings.

 

How To Use?

Press brakes can bend many different metal types in a number of ways. It is critical to think about the metal type, the die, the punch, and also the bending force while setting up your bending operation.

Because metals have different physical qualities, it is crucial to know what type of metal you are dealing with. Because of the variations in strength and ductility and strength, high carbon steel is going to be less bendable by any press brake than most aluminium alloys.

Metals often have a minimum bend radius, which can be bent without causing damage to the material.

The bending process is heavily influenced by the die and punch used on your press brake. The die is a hollow piece of material where the metal is put on before being bent. It is a tough, robust substance with a shape that is close to the required shape of your metal being bent.

Your punch is a certain solid piece of metal that is lowered onto it. Because the metal bends due to the press action of punch and die on the metal, both shapes should be precisely adapted to the bending work.

The shape and size of your punches and dies determine the correct metal shape after your press brake operation. Dies and punches are usually intended to be interchangeable so that they are used for different purposes.

Why use press brakes?

The press brake is unrivalled when it comes to precisely bending metals for sheet and plate to precise angles and lengths.

The press brake is one of several critical pieces of metalworking equipment that helps deliver specialised parts to a variety of industries, like auto, aviation, agriculture, energy, transportation, military, and more.

Though the kind of brake necessary for effective forming will be determined by production requirements and materials, a reputable metal service centre will always assist in determining, which equipment is most suited for the work and provide a solution for different bending needs. Any metal operation of fabricator and success are dependent on having a strong press brake on hand.