FAQ

FAQ – Brakes

How do i know how much tonnage i need for a particular job?

There is a chart on the machine that tells you what the tonnage requirements are for a particular piece of metal. For instance, if you use the rule of 8 X the material thickness for the die opening, you can work ¼” steel plate at 15.4 tons per foot. If you want to brake a 1/8″ sheet, it would require ½ of the 15.4 tons or 7.7 tons.

What is the maximum capacity of a Press Brake

Actually, the rated tonnage is the maximum capacity. Once you figure out what required tonnage per foot is, you simply take the number of feet you would like to do and multiply it by the tonnage. When working short pieces, it is always recommended that you move the part around a little bit to avoid making an impression on the bed.

What is camber?

Everything you will ever bend on a press brake will have resistance. This resistance will cause the bed and the ram to deflect. Camber is a small amount of crown put in the bed or ram to allow for the deflection.

Do I have to bolt the machine to the floor?

Yes, the machine should be leveled and bolted to the floor. You can lose 25% of the machine’s energy through loss of torque.

What do the terms yield and tensile strength have to do with rolling, braking or shearing?

Tensile Strengthis applied when you are talking about braking or shearing a piece of metal. Because all of the force you apply is over one specific spot on the plate you have to overcome the Tensile Strength to complete the job.Yield Strengthis applied when you are rolling a piece of metal. You are asking a little of every moment of movement.This is why when shearing or braking stainless steel or any other alloy where the tensile runs above 80,000 it requires a larger brake or shear to do the same thickness of plate while when rolling stainless steel, the size of the machine is very nearly the same. Example: 304 S.S. for instance has a tensile strength of 95,000 however the yeild is 35,000 making it about the same as mild steel.

Why are material designations so important?

Because material designations give you the details of the metal designated; such as yield strength and tensile strength.It is also important to make sure you have the entire designation ie: A516 is not enough information. You must also put the grade down; for instance A516-55 says the Tensile is 55-75,000 an the minimum yield is 30,000 while A516-70 says the tensile is 70-90,000 and the minimum yield is 38,000.

FAQ – Rolls

What does "rolling" mean?

Rolling is when you start the bending-operation 4″ or 5″ from the edge of the plate, or possibly longer, depending of the geometry of the machine.

What does "pre-bending" mean?

When a part is rolled out to the edge (typically 1.5 to 2 times the material thickness), you are pre-bending it. This requires more energy from the machine, so your pre-bending- capacity is about 80% of the rolling capacity.

What is a "Single Initial Pinch" roll? (SIP)

On a SIP-roll it is only possible to pre-bend one edge. Therefore, the material must be removed and rotated 180 degrees and re-inserted into the machine to pre-bend the trailing edge.

What is a "Three-Roll Double Pinch" machine?

This machine allows you to pre-bend both edges without removing the plate from the machine.

What is a "Four-Roll Double Pinch" machine?

This machine also allows you to pre-bend both edges in the machine without removing the plate. It is the best choice for cone-bending. Because it is a pinch type machine, it is well suited for CNC work.

What is "camber"?

Every piece of metal that is rolled has a resistance to the rolling. This resistance puts pressure on the top roll causing it to deflect. Camber or crown is machined into the roll to make it roll true. Typically, a job shop-camber will be at 50% the value of the full capacity of the roll. This will give a user the whole middle range to work without the need for shimming. For manufacturing, a special camber will be worked out with the buyer that will suit his operation.

Can i do thicker pieces if they are shorter?

Yes, however it is not like a press brake. You can’t work a piece that is half as long to twice the capacity. You will be given a capacity chart when you buy the machine that will give you the capacity at various lengths and diameters. You can also give us a call and we can give you the specific capacities.

Do I have to bolt the machine to the floor?

Yes, the machine should be leveled and bolted to the floor. You can lose 25% of the machine’s energy through loss of torque.

What do the terms yield and tensile strength have to do with rolling, braking or shearing?

Tensile Strengthis applied when you are talking about braking or shearing a piece of metal. Because all of the force you apply is over one specific spot on the plate you have to overcome the Tensile Strength to complete the job.Yield Strengthis applied when you are rolling a piece of metal. You are asking a little of every moment of movement.This is why when shearing or braking stainless steel or any other alloy where the tensile runs above 80,000 it requires a larger brake or shear to do the same thickness of plate while when rolling stainless steel, the size of the machine is very nearly the same. Example: 304 S.S. for instance has a tensile strength of 95,000 however the yeild is 35,000 making it about the same as mild steel.

Why are material designations so important?

Because material designations give you the details of the metal designated; such as yield strength and tensile strength.It is also important to make sure you have the entire designation ie: A516 is not enough information. You must also put the grade down; for instance A516-55 says the Tensile is 55-75,000 an the minimum yield is 30,000 while A516-70 says the tensile is 70-90,000 and the minimum yield is 38,000.

FAQ – Shears

What range of metal can i cut?

There is a chart on the machine that tells you what the tonnage requirements are for a particular piece of metal. For instance, if you use the rule of 8 X the material thickness for the die opening, you can work ¼” steel plate at 15.4 tons per foot. If you want to brake a 1/8″ sheet, it would require ½ of the 15.4 tons or 7.7 tons.

Will my shear cut to its capacity in any material?

Actually, the rated tonnage is the maximum capacity. Once you figure out what required tonnage per foot is, you simply take the number of feet you would like to do and multiply it by the tonnage. When working short pieces, it is always recommended that you move the part around a little bit to avoid making an impression on the bed.

Do I have to increase the rake angle to cut to full capacity?

Everything you will ever bend on a press brake will have resistance. This resistance will cause the bed and the ram to deflect. Camber is a small amount of crown put in the bed or ram to allow for the deflection.