How to choose a suitable press brake

Press brake is a machine that has important place in the production sector in metalworking. It works on the principle of bending or folding metal plates into various configurations. Selecting the best press brake for your shop can be complex and bewildering. And this is why there are some important questions to consider before you decide. This guide will walk you through some of the most important considerations for making the right choice for the best press brake.

How to get started on selecting a press brake 

There are many critical considerations to take into account when purchasing a press brake:

Material Type — Consider the type of materials you handle. Tonnage refers to the amount of strength it takes to bend different materials. For instance, if you deal with supple and flimsy metals, then you won’t require a heavy-ductile press brake. However, if your business deals with thick and heavy metals, you would require a press brake with higher tonnage. So, obviously, select a model which can handle the metal type that you usually work with.

Tonnage: Tonnage means how strong the press brake is. Selecting a press brake with the proper tonnage is critical to the requirements of your business. Whereas if your shop only bends light materials, then you can very well go for a press brake with lower tonnage. However, if you work with thick and heavy materials, you will require a stronger press brake that can work with those types of materials.

Denominator: The length of the press brake. You will want a press brake that is long enough for the bends you want to create. The bend length of the brake should be equal to or more than what your business requires. So you can do your bending on one go without issues.

Number of Axes: The axes are some of the machine’s parts that allow the movement and bending of metal in various ways. For very precise metal bending, a press brake with a minimum of four axes is recommended. We call these axes: X, Y, R, and Z axes. More axes mean a more accurate bending job.

Which Type is Best for You? 

After it has been evaluated, it is time to identify the correct model that will meet the needs of your business. Press brakes fall into three general categories: hydraulic, mechanical, or pneumatic.

The hydraulic press brakes are extremely powerful and can therefore bend thicker materials than other types. They are reputed as extremely flexible, efficient, and accurate. There are two types of hydraulic press brakes: synchronized and unsynchronized. Synchronized hydraulic press brakes have multiple cylinders that synchronize to ensure balanced pressure along the entire length of the metal being formed. This contributes to better quality bends.

Mechanical Press Brakes: These are good for lighter bending jobs. They are fast and discreet, making them popular at high-speed retailers. It is worth noting that mechanical press brakes may not be ideal for heavy bending work. This implies that a mechanical press brake may not be very useful to you if you often work specialized materials that are necessarily quite thick.

Pneumatic Press Brakes: Pneumatic press brakes provide bending force through air pressure. These are only useful for small jobs, involving lightweight materials. Pneumatic press brakes are a good choice for businesses that do not have much power on hand or already have air compression systems in use. They serve their purpose and function well in a few areas.

Maximize Your Tonnage Press Brake Work Output 

When it comes to achieving maximum productivity in your operations, selecting the right tonnage press brake is absolutely crucial. Low tonnage press brakes consume less power, and they are generally more affordable. They are most effective at bending thin and light materials. However, high tonnage press brakes will attract higher energy consumption and cost but provide a ton of force will enable them to work with thicker, heavier materials.

Extra Features to Consider 

Beyond the key factors highlighted above, here are some additional features to consider when choosing a press brake:

This means the machine is equipped with various features. This system offers a precise measure of the bending distance. Most of this time is due to inefficiencies associated with the process of bending itself, and a guy who knows that time is money can easily sympathize with having an accurate back gauge system.

Tool and Clamping System — Another aspect to look for is the tool and clamping system. A good tool and clamping system can easily accomplish various jobs, as well as ensure the bends are uniform and exactly where they need to be. This will be key for the high quality of your end-products.

Operator Interface — Lastly, consider the operator interface. Easy to use interface helps the operator to control the press brake about the operations and makes its error free. Advanced operator interfaces can also help with functions like programming features, automatic bend angle calculations, and controlling tool management set ups.