Sheet Metal Folding and Bending Services

CNC sheet metal bending offers precision, consistency, versatility, and cost-effective formed metal parts.  

Bending and folding is one of the most common sheet metal fabrication processes. This method is used to manipulate sheet metal into an angular shape or form using a press brake. CNC press brakes offer greater precision, automation, and the ability to store and recall bending programs for efficient production. They are highly efficient for high-volume production and repetitive bending tasks.

Press brakes are widely used in industries such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace, and food processing plants, where sheet metal components with precise angles are required.

Bending sheet metal offers numerous advantages, including the ability to create items such as cabinets, enclosures, planters, boxes, tanks, shelving, brackets, guttering, channels, flashings, and trims. Bending can be used to improve the structural integrity of a product. It is a versatile and cost-effective process that allows the production of a wide range of components and products.

Precision and Accuracy: CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology allows for precise control over the bending process. 

Consistency and Repeatability: CNC sheet metal bending ensures consistent results across multiple parts. Once a bending program is created and saved, it can be easily recalled and applied to produce identical bends repeatedly. This level of consistency and repeatability is crucial for maintaining quality standards and meeting specific design requirements.

Versatility and Flexibility: CNC press brakes offer versatility in bending various types of sheet metal, including different thicknesses and materials such as steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, and brass. They can handle complex shapes and geometries, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities. 

Efficiency and Productivity: CNC sheet metal bending is highly efficient and can significantly reduce production time. The automation of the bending process eliminates the need for manual adjustments and reduces setup times. CNC machines can perform multiple bends in a single setup, maximising productivity, and output. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for high-volume production.

Cost-effectiveness: CNC sheet metal bending can be cost-effective, especially for medium to high-volume production. The consistency and accuracy of CNC bending reduces the likelihood of errors and rework. 

Overall, CNC sheet metal bending offers precision, consistency, versatility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. These advantages make it a preferred choice for various industries that require accurate and high-quality bent sheet metal parts and components.

A press brake is a machine used to bend sheet metal. In the sheet metal fabrication industry, the terms "folding" and "bending" are often used interchangeably to describe the action performed by a press brake machine. The bending process is achieved by clamping the sheet or plate between a movable punch and a stationary die. The punch (top tool) applies force to the sheet metal, causing it to bend against the die (bottom tool). This allows for precise and controlled bending of the sheet metal to create various shapes and angles. 

The tooling used in press brakes typically comes in the shape of V and U. These tooling options allow for the production of specific bending angles and radii in the sheet metal.

The V-shaped tooling consists of a punch with a V-shaped groove and a matching die with a V-shaped recess. This configuration is commonly used for creating sharp bends in sheet metal. 

The U-shaped tooling, on the other hand, consists of a punch with a U-shaped groove and a corresponding die with a U-shaped recess. This tooling is used for creating bends with larger radii.  The width and depth of the U-shaped groove decide the bending radius of the metal.

By using different combinations of V and U-shaped tooling, press brakes can achieve a wide range of bending angles and radii, allowing to produce various shapes and forms in sheet metal fabrication.

The tonnage, bending length, and size of the press brake will vary depending on the specific application and the type of metal being formed. 

Modern press brakes are highly efficient machines equipped with advanced technology. They are capable of handling a wide range of metal bending tasks and offer improved precision and productivity. 

We can provide some guidance to ensure that your design is suitable for CNC folding.