Specializing in Precision Press Brake Training and
Forming
More articles from The Fabricator
In Spanish
Articles by Steve Benson and published by:
Most designers and engineers usually place very
little importance on achieving the correct inside radius of a
formed part. Why? Because the functionality of the part is
unaffected if the specified inside radius is 0.062 in. and
actual measured...
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Managers are not necessarily leaders
There are business leaders and there are business managers. And while some leaders are managers and some managers are leaders, many times leaders and managers are very different animals. All too often we fail to recognize these differences in our... Read more...
There are business leaders and there are business managers. And while some leaders are managers and some managers are leaders, many times leaders and managers are very different animals. All too often we fail to recognize these differences in our... Read more...
Speaking from 30 years of experience, I'd say
this situation probably is a fact of life for 99 percent of us.
Whether we are doing some in-house engineering and design or
working at the press brake, the thought is the same. An End to
the...
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Even with the advancements in computer design
systems, parts layout still can still be a very difficult
process, particularly when ease of forming is a major concern.
But when is ease of forming not an issue at some time in almost
every shop?...
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In one form or another, air forming always has
been a part of the forming process on a press brake. This was
true even when coining and bottom bending were the dominant
methods of forming. Without the use of custom-made tools, all
bends other...
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Some of the following story may seem somewhat
strange for an article about precision sheet metal and press
brake operation, but my hope is that by reading this article,
you will find that history can shed some light into a few of the
darker...
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What the? This can't be done!
"What the ...? This can't be done!" How many times have you heard that expression? Or seen someone scratching his head in bewilderment when trying to decide which flange to form first or last, not unlike the operator pictured in the lead... Read more...
"What the ...? This can't be done!" How many times have you heard that expression? Or seen someone scratching his head in bewilderment when trying to decide which flange to form first or last, not unlike the operator pictured in the lead... Read more...
Can I form a box that deep?
One of the more common questions asked in day-to-day press brake operations is "Can I form a box that deep?" If you select the wrong tool, the side of the box will crash into the ram. This can produce the wrong bend angle... Read more...
One of the more common questions asked in day-to-day press brake operations is "Can I form a box that deep?" If you select the wrong tool, the side of the box will crash into the ram. This can produce the wrong bend angle... Read more...
Using benchmarking for bend deductions
Benchmarking is using measurement or evaluation to judge similar processes, parts, charts, and methods. The term benchmark is believed to come from medieval times—more specifically, form the stonemasons who built the great cathedrals of... Read more...
Benchmarking is using measurement or evaluation to judge similar processes, parts, charts, and methods. The term benchmark is believed to come from medieval times—more specifically, form the stonemasons who built the great cathedrals of... Read more...
Bumping up large-radius bends
Figure 1 It often is impractical to buy or build a custom tool just for large-radius bends. Perhaps it is a one-of-a-kind part, or the radius that needs to be produced is too large to be done practically in a single... Read more...
Figure 1 It often is impractical to buy or build a custom tool just for large-radius bends. Perhaps it is a one-of-a-kind part, or the radius that needs to be produced is too large to be done practically in a single... Read more...
Reviewing bottom bending and nested parts
Figure 1 Air forming is a three-point bending process. The metal is in contact with, and bent by, the two top corners of the die and the punch tip. Hey, it's a brave new world—a world in which the reality of precision sheet metal... Read more...
Figure 1 Air forming is a three-point bending process. The metal is in contact with, and bent by, the two top corners of the die and the punch tip. Hey, it's a brave new world—a world in which the reality of precision sheet metal... Read more...
Press Brakes and (much) More
I was looking into information about feng shui (pronounced fung SHWAY) in an effort to apply it to my home when I realized that the principals of balance, harmony, and an uncluttered path could apply easily to precision sheet metal manufacturing... Read more...
I was looking into information about feng shui (pronounced fung SHWAY) in an effort to apply it to my home when I realized that the principals of balance, harmony, and an uncluttered path could apply easily to precision sheet metal manufacturing... Read more...
Mobilizing equipment-saving time and talent
Think about the increased production that would be possible if one operator could manage two machines simultaneously. You could make it work simply by varying access to different pieces of equipment as needed anywhere in your facility. Of... Read more...
Think about the increased production that would be possible if one operator could manage two machines simultaneously. You could make it work simply by varying access to different pieces of equipment as needed anywhere in your facility. Of... Read more...
Fighting springback in profound radius bends
Figure 1: With a profound-radius bend, springback increases dramatically. Under normal press brake bending conditions, an inside bend radius that falls between 63 percent of the material thickness and 10... Read more...
Figure 1: With a profound-radius bend, springback increases dramatically. Under normal press brake bending conditions, an inside bend radius that falls between 63 percent of the material thickness and 10... Read more...
Bend deduction charts
In reviewing a couple dozen bend deduction charts from a variety of sources, I couldn't find any that agreed with another, with the exception of a single number here and there. For the most part, they varied widely. Figure 1 shows data from... Read more...
In reviewing a couple dozen bend deduction charts from a variety of sources, I couldn't find any that agreed with another, with the exception of a single number here and there. For the most part, they varied widely. Figure 1 shows data from... Read more...
Discovering the limits of press brake tooling
One of the most important aspects of press brake forming is tooling selection. What are the tools capable of? What kinds of loads can they withstand? Figure 1: A standard straight press brake punch withstands more tonnage... Read more...
One of the most important aspects of press brake forming is tooling selection. What are the tools capable of? What kinds of loads can they withstand? Figure 1: A standard straight press brake punch withstands more tonnage... Read more...
Brake Line: Press Brakes and More: Planning to cut corners on
safety?
Plainly put, press brake safety is a common sense issue. Most accidents are caused by operator inattentiveness or lack of training. Two major categories of press brake safety are machine setup and operational safety. Along with proper... Read more...
Plainly put, press brake safety is a common sense issue. Most accidents are caused by operator inattentiveness or lack of training. Two major categories of press brake safety are machine setup and operational safety. Along with proper... Read more...
