Press brake or break press is a equipments used for bending sheets of metals, or other materials. Prior to using a metal plate or a sheet it has to be shaped or formed. To do this a machine or a press brake is required.
There are many kinds of devices like mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and servo-electric. These are available in different sizes and specifications and are used in repairing workshops, auto service stations, industries etc.
Mechanical press brake
In this an electric motor supplies energy to a flywheel which powers a crank mechanism to move the ram vertically. These devices are fast and accurate. This is the conventional version of it.
Hydraulic press brakes
This is operated with the help of two hydraulic cylinders. It has a C-frame which moves the upper beam. It is a very agile punching machine as it can punch as well as foam in both upward and downward direction. This is a mechanized version.
Ways in which Press brakes are employed for sheet metal bending:
They are very adaptable kind of machines. It is the perfect press for forming metal as the force is applied in a longitudinal region. Some of the materials that are used for forming on a press brakes are alloy steel, stainless steel, low carbon steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys etc.
It is extensively employed for multiple purposes in the industries. The metal is subjected to immense stress and shaped using dies. The metal to be shaped is clamped between a punch and a die and pressure is applied. The metal takes the shape of the die every time the force is applied with the punch. The inside angle of the bend is formed with the punch and the outside angle with the die.
Repeated operations using suitable dies help to cast the metal into the desired shape. Different methods are used to cast the metal like U –die bends, V-bending, bottoming, double die bending etc. A strong firm table forms the base of the machine and the beam on top moves up and down to punch the metal.
Metal can be cut to required shape and size using press breaks. Mechanical press breaks are a good choice for small scale manufacturing units as the job done is very accurate and facilitates easy cutting work. If bulk production in short period of time is needed then hydraulic press brakes is a better alternative. Since it works by hydraulic power system, the machine can be set according to the production requirement. These multi-purpose press brakes can be modified for varied operations.
During the process of manufacturing parts, metal apparatus etc. metal is shaped into different forms. It can fold or bend the sheet of metal into any given shape. Cases for goods like electronics are made with it. Click Here to get more information on mechanical and hydraulic press brakes.
Conclusion
Select a press brake according to your requirement, type of work, frequency of work and the size of metal sheets to be formed. Mechanical and hydraulic are generally used to form the metal. In order to perform metal bending jobs efficiently, it is important to select the right.
