A bending machine is the piece of equipment that is used to bend a flat piece of metal into a specific irregular shapes. CNC bending machines are one of the most recent technologies that deliver cost effective precision to metal shaping.
Universal metal bending machines easily adjust to accommodate a variety of shapes, and can be upgraded and customized at the users need.
A bending brake is a machine used by metal workers, to easily and effectively bend metal into a variety of shapes. A cornice bending brake machine is great for creating creases and simple bends.
A box and plan bending brake machine allows for more versatility, as it goes beyond simple bends, and the user can create box and pan shapes by removing and/or rearranging the blocks. Once it is formed (bent), then the box shape is then seared by welding, soldering, screwing or riveting them together.
Usually metal bender machines fall into four different bending categories, and they are (a) Rotary-draw (b) Compression (c) Roll and (d) Stretch. Each type, of course, has limitations and advantages.
Rotary-draw metal benders are commonly used to bend pipes and tubes.
Compression metal bending machines are used when material needs to be bent more than double the radius of the tube.
Metal bender tools/attachments
- Standard tool attachments are classified by the type of bend generated. All bends that do not have an extraordinary geometric design are considered to be a “standard” bend.
- Offset bending tools are used when 2 bends are required (with a gap between the pieces). This is created in one step with this metal bending attachment.
- U-Bending (narrow bends) is achieved with a bending mandrel.
- Edge bending tools are needed to create highly accurate angular measurements.
- Torsion metal bending tools are used when the workpiece needs to rotate on its longitudinal axis.
Metal bending techniques
Air bending is considered to be a very common type of metal bending technique. Basically, the metal piece comes in contact with the punch tip and outer edges of the die. The punch is then forced in the “V” shaped opening and the shape is created.
Bottom bending is the metal bending technique that is used when the angle of the finished piece should identically match the die angle.
The three roll push (also known as “TRPB”) is basically a free form way to bend geometric shapes that consist of several simple curves. During this process, the metal pieces are guided between the supporting and the bending rolls, and pushed toward the tool.
The roll metal bending technique is used to form coils when a piece of metal is passed through three rollers, which apply pressure that causes this type of bend.
Heat induced metal bending techniques requires temperatures starting at 800 degrees, and can exceed 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the coil has reached the desired temperature, it is placed against the metal to form a shape. After the bend/shape is achieved, then the metal is cooled via a water or air spray.
Final Word
When considering a metal bender purchase, it is advised to analyze your needs, and what exactly your final results should be. Other considerations should include the type, size and shape of material you plan to bend. Also, the daily quantity output is also going to play a significant role in your final purchasing decision.
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