CNC Bending, also known as metal forming, is the manufacturing process in which sheet metal (or plates) are bent in various shapes and profiles using a CNC press brake. Much like the punch press, a press brake is a fully CNC (computer numeric controlled) machine.
Outfitted with a top tool or punch, the lower half of the press brake will have a V-die or specialty die installed into it.
Metal bending, or sheet metal forming, occurs when a material such as aluminum or stainless sheet or plate is positioned between the punch and die. Once the punch tip has made contact with the material (the pinch point), it will begin to press the punch tip and material below it into the die opening, bending the metal.
The depth of the punch, and material that go into the die opening, control the angle of the bend. For flange height or bend depth, the CNC program will move the backstop forward or backward (depending on the programming) to limit how far the inserted workpiece can go.
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At our shop, we use three press brakes for forming. Our main brake press is an Amada HDS 8025. It is an 80-tonne, down-acting machine with an 8’ long bed. We also house a 135-tonne up-acting machine, with a 10' long bed: an Amada FBDIII 12. Another option we have for sheet bending is our Accurpress 7606. This one is also a 60-tonne machine, with a 6’ bed. All of our brake machines are fit to form metal of all kinds.
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