Brake press

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A brake press is a press used to bend, form or punch metal. It is a press that exerts a force on a set of dies. The force can be created by mechanical, hydraulic, electric or manual means.

[edit] History

Modern systems use dies made to the angle of the bend desired. When sheet metal was pressed between the dies it took the angle of the dies when the dies bottomed. This is called bottom bending. If enough tonnage is exerted on the metal to make a sharp corner, this can also be called coining.

[edit] The modern system

Most press brakes today use air bending. This is a process wherein a sophisticated control determines the depth that the punch or upper die extends into the lower die. Air bending takes much less tonnage than bottom bending or coining.

[edit] Programmable

Parts can be programmed off line. The program can be stored at the control or on a company network. Using the same program each time will make parts more consistent. Set-up can be reduced if the control provides detailed information on the tooling and tooling location.

More complicated Brake Presses interface with a Backgauge to allow the operator to more accurately position metal for forming.