The most common products in sheet metal bending.

The choice of press brake tooling plays a critical role in the versatility of the machine. A wide variety of tooling options allows operators to achieve different bend angles, radii and shapes. This flexibility allows metal fabricators to meet the specific needs of different industries and customers.

The importance of press brake tooling in sheet metal forming.

The right press brake tooling enables operators to produce a wide variety of products with exceptional precision and efficiency.

So let's take a look at how tool geometry can make a difference in the end result.

1. Flanges.

The basic function of a press brake is to bend a sheet of metal through specific tooling. The section that is bent at an angle to the rest of the part is the flange.

Function of flanges. 

One of the purposes of bending a flange into a metal part is to create an area where the part can be attached to another part that is at an angle to it.

Flanges can strengthen a part by preventing it from being bent easily. They can also be folded back on themselves to create a hem. Hems can strengthen a part or be added to prevent the part from having a sharp edge.

2. Brackets.

Brackets are connectors used to attach one piece to another. Brackets can be made of plastic or other materials, such as metal. They can be flat, curved, or other shapes, such as L-shaped, U-shaped, or Z-shaped.

L-shaped brackets.

L-shaped brackets are simple single-angle pieces, usually bent at 90 degrees. For example, an L-shaped bracket can be mounted under a shelf to secure it to the side of a bookcase.

U-shaped brackets.

A U-shaped bracket is similar to an L-shaped bracket, but instead of having a single flange, it has two opposite side flanges and is often used to support an object between them.

Z Brackets. 

A Z-bracket has two flanges bent in opposite directions at either end of the main body and is used to support two parts that are in different parallel planes. 

There are many other more complex types of brackets, and brackets are usually custom made for specific applications.

3. Boxes.

Using short-length punches, press brakes can bend four flanges around the perimeter of the part to form a box. Several types of metal boxes, such as fuse boxes, control panels and machine housings, can be formed with the press brake.

4. Furniture and fixtures.

Because of its mechanical properties, metal is often chosen as a material for the construction of common office and household items, such as desks, filing cabinets, tables, countertops, door frames, elevators, shelving and cabinets, which can be made with the proper press brake tooling.

5. HVAC products.

Although manual or smaller press brakes are often used because of the thinness of the metal used, press brakes can be used to create ductwork that is installed as part of a heating or air conditioning system. They can also form the components of furnaces, air conditioners, vents and other parts of the system.

6. Housings and casings.

Due to the variety of press brake tooling available on the market, these machines can be used to produce automotive panels, bogies, railcar sections, and other automotive components, as well as work center enclosures, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Press brakes are also used in the aerospace industry to bend the basic structures of aircraft and spacecraft.

7. Light poles.

While rollers and calenders are great for forming cylindrical objects, a pair of long press brakes working side-by-side in tandem may be the choice of manufacturers who need to form tall, tapered light poles.

8. Ribbing.

Specialized tooling can be used to do more than just bend metal. Depending on the equipment used, the powerful force of press brakes can be used to create ribs. Ribs are often used to add extra stiffness to a sheet.

Looking for high quality sheet metal bending tools?

Use a press brake with the best press brake tools: choose standard tools or custom tools from Eurostamp Tooling.

Contact us.