FOCUS ON BENDING
THE BENDING FACTOR
Bent sheet-metal parts ( image : Shutterstock . com ).
We highlight a selection of the latest global press-brake bending systems , tooling and technology innovations , including new launches .
“ Press brakes are widely used for the precision bending of sheet metals and form pre-programmed bends between the die and the punch
Versatile programming ; speed ; precision ; sustainability and ease of operation are some of the characteristics of today ’ s modern press brakes . They are widely used for the precision bending of sheet metals and form pre-programmed bends between the die and the punch . The process makes a variety of shapes ( such as a 90 ° rib form ; V bottom ; channel ; closing ; double form ; hat channel ; offset etc .). A press brake bends metal by lowering a punch onto sheet metal that has been positioned on top of a die . The workpiece is clamped between matching punch and die to form a pre-set bend .
There are several types of press brakes ( such as pneumatic , servo electric , hydraulic and mechanical ). The bending length of a press brake is the maximum possible length of a metal sheet which can be bent . The press brake ’ s bending force , known as tonnage , determines how much pressure can be applied by the punch during a bend . Higher tonnage allows for bending thicker and harder metals , and lower tonnage is most appropriate for thinner metals .
“ Customisation is a key requirement for press-brake customers to produce components with different shapes , sizes and features with no need for redesign and set-up time . Smaller batches are becoming more prevalent , and manufacturers need to be able to switch from big to small runs with maximum flexibility without sacrificing productivity ,” commented Italian manufacturer , Prima Power .
Flexibility ; energy efficiency ; automation and Industry 4.0 networking are key elements in today ’ s press-brake designs . More manufacturers are also moving towards adding electric press brakes to their portfolios . In this article , we highlight a selection of the latest new press-brake systems , tooling and technology developments in the global market .
Models , systems and tooling
ADIRA Metal Forming Solutions SA specialises in the production of hydraulic , electric and hybrid press brakes , shears and robotised cells and conducts intensive research and development in large-scale additive manufacturing . Headquartered in Portugal , it offers hydraulic and servo-electric press brakes such as PA / PA Plus ; PF Fast ; PH- Heavy Duty ; PE Press Fast ( hybrid electrichydraulic ); GreenBender ; Bluebender ( BB ) and PA Hexa C ( hydraulic press brake ). Its BB 3515 press brake was on display recently at the EMAF trade fair in Portugal . Physical and virtual showrooms , along with an app featuring augmented reality , are also offered .
Japanese bending specialist , AMADA , has brought its new auto crowning device and enhanced flexibility to its mid-range of press brakes ( the new HRB Auto Crowning midrange model ). AMADA developed its RBR fully automatic bending cell to produce a wide range of part sizes with a rapid bending cycle . It utilises a bending robot HRB-ATC series press brake , with automatic tool changer ( ATC ). This press brake series also features a punch reverse function and automatic crowning , compensating for deflections in the upper and lower beams when pressure
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