Press brake

Frequently asked questions about the press brake / press brake:

• What is bending?

• Which parameters must be taken into account and calculated when bending?

• What kind of work are press brakes used for?

• Can all metal sheets be processed on a press brake?

• What is the difference between folding and bending?

• What safety measures must be observed when working with press brakes?

What is bending?

The bending of sheet metal is a non-cutting forming process. The main feature of bending is that a part of a sheet is bent along the entire straight bending line at a precisely determinable angle using mechanical force. When working with a press brake, the bending line always runs from workpiece edge to workpiece edge. The definition of edging is as follows: Edging is a visible change in the shape of sheet metal. This change in shape is achieved by cold forming simultaneously over the entire length along a straight line.

 

Which parameters must be taken into account and calculated when bending?

When bending metal sheets with a press brake, three important production parameters - the stretched length of the component, the bending radius and the press force - must be taken into account. These production parameters must be precisely calculated using specific formulas before each application. Material-specific values must be taken into account in the calculations.
 

What kind of work are press brakes used for?

Press brakes are important machines in metal processing. They are used in craft businesses and in industrial production. Important areas of application include automotive engineering, traditional metalworking, but also aerospace and agriculture. These machines can be used to precisely produce brackets, frame constructions, sheet metal housings and body parts.

 

Can all metal sheets be processed on a press brake?

No, not all metal sheets can be processed on a press brake. Only sheet metal materials with good cold formability are suitable for processing with a press brake. These sheet materials are labelled with the letter C in accordance with DIN EN 10025 (semi-finished products made of hot-rolled unalloyed quality steels).

 

What is the difference between folding and edging?

The main difference between swivel bending and edging or die bending is the tool movement. In swivel bending, the workpiece is clamped between the upper and lower part of the bending machine and bent by the swivelling part of the tool.

On a press brake, die bending is carried out using a straight tool movement. For this process, the sheet metal is placed on a V-shaped die and pressed into the die mould by the punch (the blade), which is lowered in a straight movement. This moulds the sheet metal. In this way, different and arbitrary angles can be produced without changing the mould. These depend on how far the sheet metal is pressed into the lower mould.

 

What safety measures must be observed when working with a press brake?

The operating personnel must be regularly trained to work with the press brake and be familiar with the functions of the machine. Personal protective equipment consisting of hearing protection, gloves and safety goggles is important. The press brake itself must be equipped with the prescribed safety devices such as protective grids and light curtains. Regular checks must be carried out to ensure that the press brake is working properly and that there are no defects.

A press brake such as the Bernardo AKPL 3200 x 125 with hydraulic drive works with a pressure of up to over 100 tonnes. It is designed for professional use and is generally not suitable for very ambitious DIY enthusiasts. These precise and robust machines require a certain amount of space and a stable foundation. Compared to a manual folding machine suitable for DIY enthusiasts, such as the Bernardo SB 1220 S folding machine, they are also very expensive.