Press Brakes: Types, Toolings, And Bending Methods - You Should Know Before Selecting

By Author: steven glassner
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Do you want to buy the new press brake machine, or the older one has become a headache for you? To find a good one, you can try searching "Amada Press Brake for sale" online, and you will come across some results to select from.

You will come to know different types of press brakes for bending metals. Not only types, but there are other factors as well to consider while selecting one.

Before discussing the types, let's have an overview of press brake machines.

Little Bit About Press Brake

Press brake is the pressing tool for bending metal sheets and other materials. Usually employed for sheet metals, it forms a curve by pressing the material between the machine and die.

The bending process may repeat several times to gain the desired form of metal. The machine is typically narrow and long, so the issue of bending the long sheet metal is no more.

These days, when individuals talk about press brakes, they mainly refer to hydraulic press brakes for bending. However, there are other types of bending machines as well in the market. ...
... Let's discuss them:

Types of Press Brakes

- Manual Press Brakes

It is a common type of press brake, also known as sheet metal brake. In manual press brakes, one needs to manually set the dimensions and angles when used. It consists of the work table, supporters, and the clamping plate.

As it requires manual work, operating manual press brakes is much more intricate than other press brake machines.

So for getting optimum results, it is recommended to make mass production. After completion of one batch, adjust the dimensions and angles for continued production.

- Hydraulic Press Brakes

Need reliability and low cost of production? Hydraulic press brakes are better alternatives. As said, these press brakes are mainly used for industrial purposes for bending sheet metal products.

Joseph Bramah first introduced the hydraulic press brake in the 17th century (1795). It is one of the oldest press brakes available in the market and can handle the heaviest workloads. This trait makes it common in the industrial sector.

It works on Pascal's law "When there is an increase in pressure in a uniform fluid, then it is equally transmitted in all the directions."

Based on this, hydraulic (water-based) press brakes produce the compressive power with the aid of hydraulic cylinders.

- CNC Press Brake

CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) twisting is the assembling cycle completed by the CNC press brakes. It offers high control, bending, and repositioning accuracy, which makes it easy to use.

When operating CNC press brakes, you just need to input the number of pieces required for each step's bending and bending angle. The CNC machines will work as per your configurations in the controller.

Now you know the major press brake machines, you can find a good machine by searching Amada press brake for sale. Not only the good machine but the tooling is also crucial for giving form to the sheet. Let's discuss them.

- Toolings

The press brake dies are the tools applied by press brakes to carve a sheet metal. There are different types of toolings to form sheet metal. Let's discuss them.

- V-Dies: Used for giving V-shaped bends.
- Curling Dies: Used to curl the edges of the sheet.
- Acute Angle Dies: Used in air bending to create acute, obtuse, and right angles.
- 90 degree dies: This die is majorly used for bottom bending.
- Offset Dies: Punch and die set that bends two angles in a single blow to form a Z shape.

- Bending Methods

Tooling has a major effect on the form of the sheet metal. So you must buy good quality parts like Fanuc replacement parts for your press brake.

Type of Bending Method

- Bottom Bending

Bottom bending, a contrast of air bending, presses the sheet metal against the slope of V, with air between the sheet and the bottom of V opening.

- Air Bending

In air bending, the workpiece will come into contact with the edge of the die and the tip of the punch. The punch presses the sheet into the V opening without touching the bottom.

- Coining

The coining method involves stamping the workpiece between the punch and die. This method is highly accurate and achievable with older machines.

But this method is more costly than air and bottom bending; therefore, it is irregularly applied.

End Words

The right press brake machine can make or break things, and it is important for the manufacturer to select the right one. Not only the press brake machines but the workpiece and requirements also need your attention while selecting.

If you need the machine to handle the heaviest workload, then a hydraulic press brake is your way to go. Rather than doing manual work, if you need to automate the process with some configurations, then the CNC press brake is a better option.

Steve M Glassner is the General Manager of Alternative Parts Inc, the leading manufacturer and distributor of Amada machinery replacement parts. Steve is a Machine Tools industry enthusiast and frequently writes about various aspects of the industry.