Different Types of Bending Machine & CNC Bending Machines

As the CNC bending machine becomes more popular, it plays a vital role in various industries. Compared with traditional bending machines, CNC bending machines play a more important role in various fields. 

Mechanical Bending Machine

A Mechanical bending machine bends metal into a specific shape. Unlike a conventional bending machine, which uses a stationary die, the mechanical bending machine can bend various materials. The main advantage of this type of machine is that the material can be bent to the exact specifications that you specify. 

The accuracy of a mechanical bending machine depends on the material properties and the degree of bend required. A mechanical bending machine may have a small tolerance, but the accuracy depends on how precisely the material is shaped. Many types of machines are available. Here are some of the most popular types:

A mechanical bending machine can bend sheet metal to a certain degree of radial length and width. The length L of the machine determines the maximum length of an edge bend. Some of these mechanical bending machines can also be programmed to automatically calculate the required reduction amount. The machine also can calculate the length of the lower roll during pre-bending.

Another type of mechanical bending machine is the hydraulic press brake. It uses a hydraulic system to move the upper die. The hydraulic system helps in saving time and labour. In addition, the hydraulic press brake is used for a wide range of jobs. In addition, it is easy to operate and comes with a fully guarded foot switch. It is an excellent choice for many industries. When selecting a Mechanical bending machine, ensure that the unit is suitable for the task at hand.

Bending Machine

Hydraulic Bending Machine

A hydraulic bending machine is an automated tool for forming and shaping metal parts. It comprises a workbench, support, clamping plate, and pressure plate. The clamping action may be automatic or manually controlled with a foot pedal. The base of the machine has a movable coil placed inside a recess. The coil is energized by a wire attached to a hydraulic cylinder. This energizes the coil, which then generates a force on the bending plate.

The hydraulic bending machine is a complicated piece of machinery, and its maintenance is a critical issue. Whether it’s the hydraulic cylinder or the sliding head, there are several components and faults to be aware of. Despite its complexity, however, the maintenance requirements are beyond most people’s imagination. Therefore, it can be a challenging task for maintenance workers to keep the machine in top shape. 

There are several advantages of a hydraulic bending machine. It is flexible, portable, and cheap compared to conventional bending machines. It is a highly versatile machine and can handle both small and large pipes. This machine is popular in many industries, including the automotive, chemical, and production industries. The hydraulic bending machine is a highly versatile tool that is used in a variety of industries.

A hydraulic press brake has a mechanical block that uses a hydraulic system to bend the metal parts. Oil cylinders are fixed to the frame and are controlled by a CNC system. The operating platform moves up and down through a button box. Once the cylinder has reached the desired length, it stops at that point. 

Automated CNC Bending Machine

An Automated CNC bending machine is a modern manufacturing solution that can produce parts with high accuracy. It combines dedicated equipment with flexibility, such as mandrels, compression tooling, and a workbench. The machine is equipped with a hopper, a coil feed, and a bending modulus. The machine can also be equipped with robots and transfer units. These features enable the user to program parts easily and increase productivity.

The bending process began thousands of years ago with manually operated hammers and other hand tools. As metal sheets became abundant, this manufacturing process was quickly mechanised. The first bending machines, called “sheet metal bending brakes,” were large, heavy, and heavy. Eventually, the advent of hydraulics helped make work easier. Hydraulics powered the bending tool and a lever valve. At first, shears were powered solely by momentum. Similarly, the position of the bend was defined by a folding rule or a template.

The first generation of automatic benders came about when the steel rule became a common feature. These steel rules were hardened to maintain their shape even after undergoing several processes. Today, automatic benders are capable of several innovations, including side broaching and perforating rules. 

CNC bending machines are used for the manufacturing of metal parts. These machines are equipped with three rolls – one fixed and two adjustable. The rotary part manipulator will move the workpiece to the desired position and bend the metal sheet into the desired shape. These CNC bending machines can also produce truncated cones and coils. This means that the price of CNC bending machines is highly competitive, as long as a qualified team is employed to perform the process.

Mandrel-driven CNC Bending Machine

Mandrel-driven bending machines are CNC bending machines with mandrel-driven cylinders. They feature a single hydraulic cylinder with two speeds, eliminating sprockets and playing in the axis. The bending head is rigid and the mandrel carriage retracts with sufficient force and grip. Some models have a motorized axis alignment system that ensures proper mandrel alignment and rigidity of the mandrel table.

A CNC bending machine is mandrel driven when its mandrels are positioned around a turret cluster. The turret cluster rotates around the bending head, which is usually a large cylinder. A mandrel-driven CNC bending machine is similar to a conventional bending machine. The mandrel is mounted on a massive master-bar carrier. This oversized carrier supports the pressure die, which resists bending forces. The oversized ways and massive master-bar carrier give the CNC bending machine the extra support it needs to bend wires to the correct shape.

Mandrel bending machines are ideal for smaller businesses, where you can produce a few pipe bends per day. You can select from several different models and accessories to suit your needs. However, if you need many pipes per day, a semi-automatic model may be best. Its simplicity and reliability make it the best choice for many users.

Programmable CNC Bending Machine

The programming of a CNC bending machine takes place on a PC with dedicated software, which can either be an internal or external workstation. The software asks the operator to enter values by keyboard or mouse. It checks and validates all figures. Any mistakes or omissions can be corrected instantly. The software also calculates the flat length and side stops of a part automatically. In addition, the user can change many parameters to achieve the desired shape.

The CNC system enables the machine to program the required length and angle of the bend. The final component can be a combination of these angles. The CNC program positions a sheet metal component blank and programs the desired bend angles. This feature improves the precision and accuracy of the bending process. Furthermore, the programmable CNC bending machine saves time and material, because it reduces the need for reference-based adjustments.

Before the CNC revolution, sheet metal components that required multiple bends were produced manually. The operator manually fixed the backstop in the correct position, setting the height and length of the bend. The operator could only make one bend at a time, as he had to move the backstop to the new location before moving on to the next bend. He had to do this several times until all the bends were completed. Nevertheless, today, CNC technology allows users to process a wide range of sheet metal components.

In Conclusion

A CNC bending machine allows users to produce many different types of bends with multiple backstops and can produce intricate components that contain many bends. The machine allows the users to test the design concept, weed out flaws, and create a working model. The Bhavya Machine Tools CNC bending machine has all of these features. You should look for a CNC bending machine that offers a complete solution for all your requirements.

Written by Yash Shah

This blog written by Mr. Yash Shah is about machine tools including workshop machinery, wood working machines, sheet metal machinery provided by Bhavya Machine Tools, a leading distributors of machine tools in India.