For almost every metal fabrication shop, press brakes are essential. Although they are one the most valuable and sought-after pieces of machinery in a shop's arsenal, they are often misunderstood even by professionals. We have created this simple guide for laymen to help you understand press brakes.
Warning: Incorrect tonnage (too low or too high) can cause damage to your press brake and the part you are bent. Refer to the operating manual for details on how to calculate the tonnage of the press brake.
Press brakes were limited to making bends using one axis. They were more limited than modern machines that can program 12 or more movement axes. Modern press brakes have high precision and produce graphical representations to aid the operator. Setup time is significantly reduced with newer computers. They can quickly calculate the optimal settings according to materials, dimensions, and the desired result. These calculations were once done manually.
Air bending uses the punch's end and the V's edges to allow sheet metal to bent. This type bending also has a springback effect. Because the bending forces are weaker, the sheet of metal will bounce backwards much like an elastic once the punch has been removed.
You will then need to determine what characteristics are to be considered when calculating a part bend. You can use the following examples:
Standard is supported daily by a growing team of industry professionals that includes product specialists, service engineers, and sales consultants. JMT has a highly skilled parts and tooling division to ensure your machines run at their best.
The Hydraulic Press Brake's Tonnage (also known as the Press Capacity) is the measurement of the press brake's force. It determines the size of work-pieces that can be processed and how much pressure can be applied to them. Our Press Brakes are capable of handling tonnages ranging from 30 tons to 3000 ton. However, the bed lengths can range from 4 to nearly 30 feet.
In the beginning, press brakes could only bend with one axis. They were less versatile than modern machines which have twelve or more programmable movements. Modern press brakes can be extremely precise and provide visual representations of final results to aid operators. Modern computers also make it much easier to set up. The computers are able to quickly calculate the best settings based on the materials being used and its dimensions. These calculations used to have to be done manually back in the day.
Finally, there is a press brake solution for heavy duty that is both user-friendly and loveable.
Mechanical press brakes operate via a motor inside the device. This motor spins a large flywheel at high speeds. The machine operator controls the flywheel through a clutch, which then sets the rest of the parts into motion to bend the metal. The mechanical press brake is much more straightforward, especially regarding its electronics, making maintenance and operation easy. They can also handle tonnages two to three times higher than their inherent rating, due to the nature of the mechanisms. The primary disadvantage of using mechanical press brakes is that the ram inside the machine must complete a full cycle when engaged and cannot be reversed. This creates some safety concerns if the operator makes a mistake and sets some limitations on the machine. One possible hazard is the potential for the press brake to become locked if the ram travels too far.
Our manual control presses brakes can be used in jobs and industries that do not require precision or detail like CNC controls. While the manual press brakes feature the same safety features as the CNC models, they are still powerful and easy to use for simple jobs. These include a front-operated powerback-gauge and adjustable ram with digital readouts. There are also fine adjustment handwheels that allow for both. Our models are available in a range of weights, from 22 tons up to 440 tons.
We also offer a variety of Press Brakes that are hydraulically controlled. The bending power of the brake is strong enough to handle large work-pieces. Because of its large tonnage, it can handle any thick metal material. This range is available in Single Cylinder and Dual Cylinder Y1+Y2 formats. It requires minimal operation. You can use our Press Brakes to process metals such as steel, brass, metal sheets and aluminum alloys.
There are two methods that press brakes can bend steel. The first, or bottom bending, is when the ram presses metal to the bottom. Bottom bending can produce precise bends and is less dependent on the press brake. The problem is that each tool is designed for a specific type of bend. You will need to purchase a brand new tool for each angle. Air bending creates an air pocket between the die's bottom and the ram. This allows the operator flexibility in accommodating any spring back provided by the material. These types are only necessary to be replaced if the material is too thick. The drawback of air bending is its inability to accurately bend the material. This means that the ram will need to be changed accordingly.
Do you need a reliable machine to bend or process metal sheets and do you want it to be strong? Gulf States Saw & Machine Co. has both Single Cylinder Y1+Y2 HydraulicPressbrakes that are capable of bending steel plates and sheets. Fabricators can trust them for all forms of bending. Hydraulic Pressbrakes are simple to operate.
Rare earth magnets can withstand pressures up to 9,000 lbs per square inch, but not for what you might think. The Internet has seen hydraulic presses crush things for a while.