Press Brake Terminology 101
Every aspect of fabrication and chip making has its own vernacular. Press brakes, or braking, uses many terms that are common in the fabrication industry, but also some that are not so common. Here is our alphabetical list of press brake terminology that every operator should know:
20% Rule
A rule of thumb in press brake bending that suggests the material thickness should be approximately 20% of the V-die opening to achieve optimal bending results.
Air Bending
A bending technique in which the material is bent using only 3 lines of contact. The material is not bottomed out in the die, allowing for greater flexibility and a wider range of bend angles.
Back Gauge
A mechanical or CNC-controlled device located behind the bending area of a press brake. It consists of fingers or stops for locating the material accurately for each bend, ensuring consistent and precise bending operations.
Back Gauge Origin
The reference point on a press brake’s back gauge system from which measurements are taken. It establishes the starting position for the back gauge when setting up a bending operation.
Bed Plate
The stationary, horizontal surface of a press brake where the die or lower tooling. It provides support and stability during the bending process.
Bend Allowance
The amount of material deformation or elongation required to form a specific bend angle. It is calculated based on factors such as material thickness, bend radius, and material properties.
Bend Deduction
The difference between the sum of the flat layout dimensions and the total length of the bent part. It represents the material length that is consumed during the bending process.
Bottom Dead Center
The lowest point reached by the ram or upper beam of a press brake during its downward stroke.
Bottom Bending
A bending technique in which the upper beam exerts force to bend the material into the full form of the die.
Braking Capacity
The maximum force or tonnage that a press brake can exert to bend a specific material within its operational limits.
Clutch
A mechanical device in a press brake that engages or disengages the power transmission from the motor to the ram. It controls the movement and stopping of the ram during the bending process.
CNC
Acronym for Computer Numerical Control. In press brakes, it refers to a control system that utilizes computer programs to automate and control the machine’s movement, including the back gauge, ram, and other axes.
Coining
A precision bending technique where the material is forcefully pressed into the die to achieve a highly accurate and defined bend angle.
Crowning
The intentional curve or profile applied to the bed plate or lower beam of a press brake to compensate for deflection during bending. It ensures uniform bending along the entire length of the part.
Daylight
The distance between the upper and lower beams of a press brake when they are fully open and no material or tooling is present. It determines the maximum height of the material that can be accommodated by the machine and tooling.
Deflection Compensation
The adjustment made to the press brake’s crowning system to compensate for deflection, ensuring accurate bending results.
Deflection
The bending or flexing of the press brake’s components, such as the upper beam or lower beam, due to applied forces during the bending process. Deflection can affect the accuracy and repeatability of the bending operation.
Die
A tool or component with a specific shape used in press brakes to shape or form the material during the bending process. It is typically mounted on the lower beam.
Elasticity
The property of a material that allows it to return to its original shape after being subjected to external forces. Press brakes take advantage of the elasticity of materials to achieve desired bend angles.
Elongation
The amount of material deformation or stretching that occurs during the bending process. It is expressed as a percentage and depends on the material’s properties and the bending parameters.
Flange
The flattened or extended portion of a material that remains unbent during a bending operation. It provides stability and acts as a connection point in assemblies or structures.
Gibb Adjustment
The process of adjusting the gibb, which is a mechanical component that controls the clearance and smooth movement between the ram and the frame of a press brake.
Inside Bend Radius
The radius of curvature on the inside surface of a bent material. It is measured from the centerline of the material to the innermost point of the bend.
Inside Setback
The distance between the edge of the material and the bend line on the inside of the bend. It ensures proper material positioning for accurate bending.
K-Factor
A coefficient used in press brake bending calculations to determine the neutral axis position and the bend allowance. It accounts for the material’s characteristics, such as its thickness, elongation, and tensile strength.
Upper Beam
The movable beam or ram of a press brake that exerts force on the material to perform the bending operation. It holds the punch and moves vertically to apply pressure.
Mechanical Stop
A physical stop or limit installed on a press brake’s back gauge system to control the position of the material and ensure accurate and consistent bending.
Minimum Inside Radius
The smallest radius that can be achieved during a bending operation without causing material damage or deformation beyond acceptable limits.
Neutral Axis
The central axis or line within a material that remains unchanged during the bending process. It experiences little to no deformation while the outer layers stretch or compress.
Outside Setback
The distance between the edge of the material and the bend line on the outside of the bend. It ensures proper material positioning for accurate bending.
Pinch Point
The area between the upper and lower beams of a press brake where the material is pinched during the bending operation. It is important to keep fingers and hands clear of pinch points for safety reasons.
Punch
A tool or component with a specific shape used in press brakes to shape or form the material during the bending process. It is typically mounted on the upper beam.
R1 Axis
The axis that controls the vertical position and movement of the back gauge finger or stop on the press brake.
R2 Axis
The axis that controls the position and movement of the back gauge finger or stop on the opposite side of the press brake from the R1 axis.
Rapid Approach
The initial fast movement of the ram or upper beam towards the material before applying bending pressure. It helps in positioning the material accurately before the actual bending operation.
R-Axis
The axis that controls the vertical movement of the back gauge fingers or stops. It allows for the bending of complex shapes or multiple bends.
Repeatability
The ability of a press brake to consistently achieve the same bending results when performing repetitive operations. It ensures accuracy and consistency throughout the production process.
Retract Speed
The speed at which the ram or upper beam returns to its initial position after the bending operation is complete.
R1-R2
The distance or measurement between two back gauge fingers or stops on opposite sides of the press brake.
Rule of 8
A guideline used in press brake bending to determine the minimum flange length required for a specific bend angle. It states that the flange length should be at least eight times the material thickness.
Sheet Support Arms
Mechanical or pneumatic arms or supports attached to the press brake to provide additional support for large or heavy sheets of material during the bending process. They help prevent sagging or deformation.
Spring-back
The tendency of a material to return to its original shape after being bent. When a material is bent and then released, it may exhibit some degree of spring-back, causing The bent part to slightly straighten or deform.
Stroke Length
The distance traveled by the ram or upper beam of a press brake during its vertical movement. It determines the maximum depth of the bend that can be achieved.
Swing Up Fingers
Back gauge fingers or stops that can be swung up or retracted to allow for the bending of larger or wider parts that exceed the normal back gauge range.
Tandem
A configuration in which two press brakes are synchronized and used together to perform bending operations on long or wide sheets of material. It allows for increased capacity and flexibility.
Tensile Strength
The maximum amount of tensile stress that a material can withstand before it breaks or fails. It is an important property to consider when selecting materials for bending operations.
Throat
The distance from the centerline of the press brake’s lower beam to the further most depth of the frame. It determines the maximum depth of the material that can be bent at full width.
Top Dead Center
The highest point reached by the ram or upper beam of a press brake during its upward stroke.
Lower Beam
The stationary beam of a press brake that provides support and for the die or lower tooling. It remains fixed while the upper beam or ram moves vertically to perform the bending operation.
X Axis
The horizontal axis that controls the movement of the back gauge along the length of the press brake.
X1-X2
Independent movement of the two back gauge fingers or stops on the same side of the press brake.
Y Axis
The vertical axis that controls the movement of the ram or upper beam of the press brake.
Yield
The point at which a material begins to deform plastically under applied stress. It is the maximum stress a material can sustain without permanent deformation.
Z Axis
The horizontal axis that controls the movement of the back gauge fingers or stops in the left, right direction, parallel to the bending plane.
Z1 Axis
One of the Z axes used in press brakes with multiple back gauge fingers or stops. It controls the movement of specific fingers or stops on one side of the press brake.
Z2 Axis
One of the Z axes used in press brakes with multiple back gauge fingers or stops. It controls the movement of specific fingers or stops on the opposite side of the press brake from the Z1 axis.
Please note that some press brake terminology may have specific variations or additional context within the press brake industry, and further research may be needed for comprehensive understanding.
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