CNC Press Brakes

A press brake bends sheet metal between a punch on a moving ram and a die on the bed. The CNC controls the depth of the stroke, which sets the bend angle, and the back gauge, which positions the sheet for each bend. The ram is driven hydraulically, electrically or by a hybrid of the two.

Press brakes sit after cutting in a sheet-metal shop. Blanks come from a laser, a punch press, a plasma table or a waterjet, and leave as brackets, enclosures and panels. A long bed bows under load, so machines compensate with crowning to keep the angle constant along the bend. Angle measuring systems, automatic tool changers and robot cells take the skill and the lifting out of repeat work.

Bending force and bending length define the machine. Compare them with the thickest and longest bend you need, not the average one. Stroke, open height and throat depth decide how deep a box or a flange can be formed. Count the back gauge axes. Approach, bending and return speeds matter for throughput on small parts.