CNC Press Brake Forming

Transforming flat sheets into complex 3D parts. Our advanced CNC press brakes and expert operators deliver precise, repeatable bends for any application, from simple brackets to intricate enclosures.

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An operator using a large CNC press brake to form a sheet metal component

The Process: Bending Metal with Precision Force

A press brake is a machine that bends sheet metal to a predetermined angle. It consists of a punch (the upper tool) and a die (the lower tool). A flat sheet of metal is placed between the punch and die, and the punch is forced down into the die with immense pressure, causing the sheet to bend.

In **CNC bending**, the entire process is computer-controlled. The operator loads the 3D model, and the machine calculates the optimal bend sequence, automatically adjusts the back-gauges that position the part, and controls the force and depth of the punch to create perfect bends every time. This automation ensures high accuracy and repeatability.

Key Concepts in Bending

Air Bending

This is the most common method. The punch presses the sheet into the V-die, but the sheet only contacts the top two edges of the die and the tip of the punch. The final bend angle is controlled by how deep the punch pushes the material into the die.

Bottoming & Coining

In these methods, the punch forces the sheet to fully conform to the shape of the die. This requires much more force but can produce very accurate and sharp bends. Coining actually thins the material at the bend radius.

Springback

All materials have some elasticity. After being bent, the material will try to "spring back" slightly to its original shape. Our CNC press brakes automatically calculate the expected springback and slightly over-bend the part so that it springs back to the perfect desired angle.

Press Brake Forming FAQ

What is the maximum part length you can bend?

Our press brakes can handle parts up to a certain length, typically 3 meters or more. However, the maximum bendable length also depends on the material thickness and the required tonnage (force). Bending very thick steel requires more force and may be limited to shorter lengths.

Can you create a curved bend or a radius?

A standard press brake creates straight-line bends. To create a large, curved radius, a process called "bumping" or "bump forming" is used. The machine makes a series of many very small, adjacent bends to approximate a smooth curve.

What is the most difficult shape to form?

Deep, narrow channels are very difficult because after the first two bends are made, the press brake tooling may not be able to fit inside the channel to make subsequent bends. Careful design and planning of the bend sequence is critical for these types of parts.