As the demand for highly flexible automated processing grows, there is an increasing emphasis on the ease and time-efficiency of the bending process. CNC sheet metal press brakes utilize a unique bidirectional bending mechanism to keep the sheet metal horizontal during the bending process, avoiding spatial flipping. With the integration of positioning devices, automatic tool changing, and operating machinery, they achieve rapid, highly flexible, and automated processing. Compared to the processing method of traditional bending machines, CNC sheet metal press brakes do not require tool changing, have shorter working strokes, and faster feed rates, resulting in higher overall efficiency and facilitating flexible production.
With the successful development and promotion of products, meeting diverse process requirements for various workpieces has become the next key focus of press brake technology development. Due to its free bending characteristics, the press brake offers a great deal of freedom in process development. It does not require mold changing or adjustment. By combining the actions of upper and lower bending dies and a clamping die, it can achieve various bending processes with outstanding process performance. Below, we will share the characteristics of several bending machine processes in different industries.
Flanging Process
The flanging process, also known as hemming, is a common process in the sheet metal bending process. It can enhance the strength of the sheet metal edge and make the edge smooth without the need for polishing. When using a traditional bending machine for hemming, the process requires two bending operations, necessitating mold changing. First, a 30° punch and a deep V-groove are used to bend at a 30° to 45° angle, followed by flattening using a flattening die. However, when using a press brake for hemming, there is no need to change the mold. By coordinating the bending beam and the clamping beam, various hemming effects can be achieved.
The most common is the bottom hemming process for flanging. For the press brake, whether it is forward or reverse hemming, there is no need to flip the sheet metal. The sheet metal is placed flat on the worktable, and the conventional bending process is used to form a 30° to 45° angle. The formed flange is then placed on the lower die table and flattened using a clamping die, completing the process in just a few seconds. If there is a need for further bending after hemming, the press brake can directly proceed with the processing.
In addition to the common forward and reverse bottom hemming, in the switchgear and elevator industries, there is often a need for open hemming to enhance the strength and tactile feel of the door edge. The press brake can easily achieve various bending sizes and angle requirements in the previous process, while quickly achieving the final hemming effect through the coordination of the bending beam and the clamping beam.
Arcing Process
The arcing process is now a necessary process for the majority of manufacturers' workpieces. To achieve the arcing process, specific molds are required. Different angles and radii of arcs require different molds, which not only incur high costs but also require time and effort. In contrast, a press brake only requires the addition of a bending process. Due to its efficient continuous automatic bending, it can form arcs by combining multiple small angle bends, achieving a perfect effect without interrupting the continuous processing of the workpiece.
If conventional bending methods are used, even with multiple segments, slight creases will inevitably appear on the outer side of the continuous arc due to the processing mechanism of the bending machine, failing to meet the process requirements of some industry workpieces. As a seasoned sheet metal equipment supplier with years of R&D experience, Yawei has developed a brand-new arc processing solution after continuous testing. Through the coordinated processing and forming of the bending die and slider, the creases appear on the inner side of the arc, ensuring surface smoothness and improving forming efficiency. Additionally, suitable arc processing solutions can be provided based on different arc sizes and precision requirements, aiming to save time and enhance efficiency while meeting process requirements.
The advantages of press brake processing techniques are not only time, labor, and cost-saving, but also address seemingly simple process demands that conventional bending machines structurally cannot fulfill. For instance, for side panels with only two processes on one side—a 90° formation and a 1/4 arc formation—conventional bending machines cannot handle both. Using a bending machine, forming the 90° angle first will prevent arc formation, while forming the 1/4 arc first and then processing the 90° straight edge will inevitably affect the already formed arc surface. However, a press brake can easily, efficiently, and precisely achieve this.
Irregular bending is a broad description, referring to the realization of various small-sized irregular shapes through the free bending path and mold combinations of a four-sided bending machine. Examples include U-shaped bends with openings less than 6mm, small Z-shaped bends with a step difference of 1mm, and various small-sized N-shaped bends, among others.
While it is true that bending machines can eventually process these shapes, using a press brake can accomplish this seamlessly without mold changing or flipping, especially for larger-sized workpieces, requiring lower manual labor, and achieving higher and more consistent processing accuracy.
Conclusion
Due to its high processing efficiency, strong mold functionality, and suitability for flexible production, the four-sided bending machine has garnered widespread attention. Unlike the longer development time of bending machines by foreign manufacturers, although the development of bending machines in China is still in its early stages, continuous research and testing have already achieved most process effects and led to numerous innovations. As the press brake continues to be promoted, it will encounter more industries and customers with different process requirements. Yawei, as a leader in the sheet metal forming industry, will invest more efforts in process development to meet customer needs.
