FOCUS ON FOLDING
JOINING THE FOLD
“ Folders are easily identified by their large support tables and swinging ‘ folding beam ’, which bends the flange while the workpiece remains flat on the support table .”
We highlight a selection of the latest new global CNC folding technologies , software and innovations . Folders offer strong flexibility for multiple needs .
Selecting the right sheet-metal folder boils down to the unique requirements of different fabrication shops . For those manufacturing items using thin materials that are long and wide with short flanges , folders are a good fit . This is because they allow the material to rest on the folder bed for easier handling . They are also inherently accurate as they ‘ fold ’ any sheet dimensional errors into the first bend , providing more accuracy in overall part sizes .
Rapid , efficient and precise , they service a range of industry sectors for many different products and project types . Folders are easily identified by their large support tables and swinging ‘ folding beam ’, which bends the flange while the workpiece remains flat on the support table . These machines are suitable for many scenarios , especially for large blanks that would otherwise be difficult to handle .
“ During the folding sequence , the blank rests on the sheet support table . A gauging system positions the part to the bend line . The upper and lower beam clamp the blank . During the bending cycle , the folding beam moves up around a pivot point . On up-down acting machines , the folding beam moves upwards or downwards , depending upon the bending direction ,” explained folding specialist , RAS .
Types and benefits
There are many levels of folding machines , but all of them follow the same sequence for air-bending a desired angle : position - > clamp - > bend . The process is suitable for flexible applications because the tooling is not specific to the material thickness or angle required . “ Universal ” tool geometries allow for unlimited angle possibilities and are rated up to the maximum machine capacity and height . These
Bending sheet metal on a Jorns folder .