Press Brakes

1. Definition: Press Brakes
2. Precise shapes using matching punch and die
3. More power requires increased safety
4. The range of uses for press brakes
5. An overview of press brake manufacturers
6. Buying a used press brake

The hydraulic press brake is an industrial machine for bending and edging sheet metal workpieces. A bending punch presses the piece of sheet metal into a die, the profile of which creates an edge. This is why the press brake is also referred to as a die bending press, bending press, folding press or brake forming press. Bending machines with a straight tool movement (press brakes) are opposed to bending machines with a rotating tool movement (swivel bending machines). A modern CNC press brake with back gauge can be interesting even as a used machine. The used machinery specialist Surplex offers used sheet metal processing machines (guillotine shears, punching machines, steel profile shears, etc.) at affordable prices!

A press brake is used to bend and shape sheet materials. It is a press, which uses a matching punch and die to bend the materials needed for the production of machinery components, cladding and casing. It can also be referred to as a folding press, bending press or break forming press.

• Often called a folding press or bending press
• Enables sheet materials to be bent into shape
• Used in the manufacture of furniture, doors or cladding for electrical components

Lowering the punch presses the sheet or panel into a recess, which bends it into the desired shape. Repositioning the sheet and repeatedly lowering the punch enables the production of complex profiles without the press brake having to be set up for this purpose. ‘Air-bending’ is the most frequently used procedure because it allows the operator to create a variety of angles without needing to change the tool. ‘Bottoming’ produces excellent results but can only be used to create one bend angle. ‘Three-point bending’ is also more precise and, depending on the press brake equipment, the tool does not need to be changed for different angles. Folding an envelope shape happens in two steps: first with pre-punching via air-bending, and the subsequent pressing procedure in the second step.

The rolling of sheet metal, or press braking, was first made possible at the end of the 17th century through the development of effective rolling processes. The first sheet metal press brakes were operated by hand and required a lot of physical effort. As automation took hold, work became much easier but riskier. Press brakes built up to 2002 feature a two-hand operated switch to ensure operator safety by preventing the user’s hands being trapped in the closing movement. However, the disadvantage of this is that the sheet metal cannot be held or fed into the machine.

CNC hydraulic press brakes

Modern CNC press brakes feature a holding arm and optical monitoring system on the bottom of the punch. In most electric press brakes, laser beams are used for monitoring. When these beams are disrupted by an obstacle, the machine automatically switches off. A modern CNC brake press can take on a large part of the work itself and only requires minimal intervention on the part of the operator, thereby further reducing the risks of working at an electric press brake.

Press brakes and bending machines are used in a wide variety of fields. They can be used to create furniture, shelving and doors from panel materials, and also for the manufacture of housing for electrical devices and cladding for machinery. The brake press is also responsible for creating a range of utensils and equipment for kitchens, restaurants and medical facilities. Other areas include roof and facade construction, the production of partition walls, and elevator/escalator manufacture.

A variety of manufacturers have built a good reputation for their press brake machinery. These include AMADA, LUTHER and the Hungarian machine builder, DIGEP. Machines made by EHT, TRUMPF and LVD Abkantpressen are also worth considering ‒ their second-hand brake presses come highly recommended. Nevertheless, it is crucial that you carry out a visual inspection before buying any used press brake.

So, you would like to buy a used press brake? Then Surplex is the right place to be! We frequently have used conventional, CNC and hydraulic press brakes for sale at attractive prices. If you're looking for used press brakes for sale, you should definitely take a look at our second-hand machinery marketplace. The range on offer covers small used press brakes, through to hydraulic and CNC press brakes. Where possible, Surplex inspects the functionality of the machinery prior to sale, however this is not possible in every instance. The used metalworking press brakes for sale are generally in a good to very good condition. The extensive selection of pictures will help you get a first impression of the condition of your desired second-hand press brake. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Surplex Customer Care team who will glad to help.