Press brake work

Press brake work (bending) is a process in which a sheet metal workpiece is bent along a line.

The bending creates a bend or crease with a given angle in a workpiece. Usually, this is performed in a press brake machine with a tool that is specific for every job. When the press machine presses the tool on the workpiece making the bend permanent. Immediately after this is done a springback occurs, and this needs to be taken into account when calculating the bending.

There are a few different types of bending. The two most common types is determined by which kind of tool the process uses. Either a tool can press the workpiece into a die (bottoming), or a tool presses the workpiece between two points to create the bend. The second kind of bending is more common as it needs considerable less press force, therefore making the process cheaper. At the same time, bottoming gives a more precise bend.

Press brake work is a common manufacturing process and presses are available in most sheet metal workshops.

Picture: Wayland Sheetmetal & Fabrications Ltd