A Graphical Explanation of Four Sheet Metal Bending Methods!

A flat panel is bent by folding and bending it, which follows the cutting process throughout the manufacturing process. In this process, the piece is placed on a die with a V-shaped opening, where a wedge-shaped tool (upper tool) presses the piece into the V-shaped opening and bends the sheet to the desired angle.

Most bending parts are made using processes and methods such as free sheet mental bending, die bending, and edge folding and pressing. The operation follows the same principle: the punch presses the workpiece into the lower die of the die. Therefore, a die bending machine is a machine that performs the above processes.

1. The freedom to bend

Workpieces are pressed into the die without being forced against the die wall by the punch. As the punch descends, the edge of the workpiece bends upwards and forms an angle. As the punch presses the workpiece deeper into the die, the angle becomes smaller. At this time, there is a gap between the punch and the die.

The machine tool control system calculates the path and the corresponding punch force simultaneously for free bending, which is also known as a path-dependent process. Depending on the mold, material, and product characteristics (angle, length), the path and punch force are determined.

2. Die Bending

It is called die closing when the punch fully presses the workpiece into the die, leaving no gaps between the workpiece, die, and punch.

Punch and die must fit together precisely. Therefore, each angle and shape requires the corresponding mold components. Once the workpiece is fully pressed in, the punch cannot continue to move downward. The machine tool control system continues to increase the punch force until it reaches the specified value. As the pressure applied to the workpiece increases, the outline of the punch and die is revealed. Under high pressure, the angle gradually solidifies, preventing rebound almost entirely.

3. Flanging and bending

With lower and upper bending molds installed on the machine, the machine has a C-shaped bending arm. In bending, the C-shaped profile moves up and down or flips, in a small elliptical motion. Even small batches can be produced without inferiority with the arm bending machine, which operates semi-automatically and has a reputation for speed and flexibility. Through flanging bending technology, it is also possible to bend parts with different radius sizes efficiently using the same mold.

4. Pressing and folding the edges

As a result, the finished piece is more stable or forms an edge protection because the edge of the sheet is completely bent (such as the edge of a box). After the edges have been hung, the edges are usually hung alongside other parts. Edge folding and pressing are accomplished in two steps: first, the operator pre-bends a 30° angle, and then the workpiece is reinserted and pressed to close the angle. Folding is when there is a gap between the edges. Pressing involves completely squeezing the bent edges against each other. Folding depends on the direction, while pressing depends on the force.

Applications in industry

Most household appliances, whether they're microwaves, washing machines, or stoves, are built with very thin sheets and a lot of forming processing that must withstand many years of usage. For white goods manufacturers to flexibly process sheet metal parts, they need production partners who can provide stamping and bending machines. As household appliances always have many visible parts, it is necessary to process them without damaging the surface or indenting them. The zinc layer of galvanized sheet is pulled up during the stamping process, which prevents corrosion in the future. High-quality welding is needed to avoid damage to clothing in washing machine drums. Get more info about Press Brake Tooling Manufacturer.

Electric equipment casings, switch cabinet housings, plug-ins, and plug-ins are all made of sheet metal. It is possible to process thin plate parts with many edges, often very complex, using laser cutting machines, stamping presses, and bending machines. Component pressing, forming, and profile processing are all possible with Tongkuan machine tools, thanks to their flexibility. Electronics industry customers also benefit from laser welding because it achieves high-quality seams almost without follow-up work, which saves them time and money.