What is a press brake machine?

A press brake is a machine tool that uses upper and lower dies to apply pressure to sheet metal, causing it to undergo plastic deformation to achieve a specific angle and shape.     

Core function: To process flat sheet metal into various three-dimensional structural components;

Press brakes are widely used across electrical cabinet production, automotive manufacturing, HVAC ductwork, structural steelwork, and aerospace components.

Materials processed by the bending machine include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, etc.

How Does a Press Brake Work?

The working principle of a press brake revolves around overcoming the material's yield strength while staying within its tensile limit to prevent cracking.

Sheet Alignment: The metal plate is placed on the lower die and pushed flush against motorized backgauge stops.

Downward Force Application: Hydraulic cylinders or servo-electric drives push the upper ram and punch downward into the sheet metal.

Plastic Deformation: The sheet is forced into the V-die opening, forming the desired bend angle (via Air Bending, Bottoming, or Coining).

Springback Compensation: Upon releasing pressure, the metal slightly unbends ("springs back"). Modern CNC systems automatically calculate deeper punch penetration to compensate for material elasticity.

Core Components of a Hydraulic Press Brake:

As a professional supplier of industrial sheet metal processing equipment, the electric-hydraulic CNC sheet metal bending presses we develop and manufacture are specifically designed for high-precision, heavy-duty modern manufacturing applications:

CNC System:

The DELEM 53TX CNC system from the Netherlands is a next-generation touchscreen control system that provides a modern, integrated, and multifunctional solution for press brakes.

Mechanical Deflection Compensation: 

The mechanical compensation table consists of uniquely machined and heat-treated wedge blocks. The relative displacement compensation for each set of wedge blocks is designed based on the deformation of the upper and lower beams under operational loads.

Hydraulic System: A complete set of imported Rexroth components from Germany, utilizing the most advanced electro-hydraulic servo synchronous control system. The three-section hydraulic system ensures high synchronous precision, while the cylinder seals—from internationally renowned brands—provide excellent sealing performance and a long service life.

Front Material Support Device: The front material support frame is supported by rollers along linear guides on the Z-axis. It can be manually moved to the appropriate position and secured according to the workpiece length. The support frame is adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Bending Machine Axes

These refer to the controlled motion paths within a bending machine that can be precisely adjusted during the bending process. These axes control the movement of the punch, backgauge, and other components to accurately position the metal sheet and achieve the desired bend angle. Each axis serves a specific purpose, contributing to the bending machine’s overall functionality and versatility.

Classified as: 4+1-axis, 6+1-axis, and 8+1-axis

The Difference Between Torsion-Axis and Electro-Hydraulic Bending Machines: 

How to Choose the Right Press Brake?

Key Technical Parameters for Selection When evaluating and purchasing a press brake, focus on the following three key factors:

Bending Tonnage: Calculated based on sheet material, sheet thickness, bending length, and lower die slot width.

Working Span and Stroke: Select the worktable size based on the maximum bending length of the workpiece and the column spacing.

Material Properties: When processing materials with high tensile strength, such as stainless steel, the required bending tonnage is typically about 1.5–2 times that of ordinary carbon steel

Frequently Asked Questions（FAQ）

Q1: Are a “Press Brake Machine” and a “Bending Machine” the same type of equipment?

A “Bending Machine” is a general term for all metal bending equipment, including pipe benders, plate rollers, and sheet metal press brakes; whereas a “Press Brake Machine” specifically refers to a sheet metal press brake that applies pressure to sheet metal via upper and lower dies to perform straight-line bending.

Q2: What are the main factors affecting the consistency of sheet metal bending angles?

The main factors include the machine’s positioning accuracy, the effectiveness of deflection compensation, variations in the sheet’s thickness and tensile strength (which affect springback), and eccentricity caused by die wear.

Q3: How do I choose the right press brake?

Based on your industry, workpiece material, maximum bending thickness, and maximum workpiece length, you can determine the required bending length and tonnage. You can also provide the manufacturer with your workpiece model drawings to finalize the press brake model.