Working a press brake operation can be a difficult and strenuous job. Operators readily stand out, swinging large sheets of metal high during the bending process. When material is bent to 90 degrees, the operator at the front of the press brake must stabilize the part as the machine releases post-bending. A taxing job at the very least. The longer the bend left to right equals a longer flange front to back.
Because a wiping tool is designed for a specific material thickness, slight variations can cause quality problems. The gap between the forming punch and stationary die is critical. If the material is a little thicker than what the gap is designed to handle, the wiping action tends to mark or gall the material.
On the other hand, if the material is thinner than the gap, one ends up with an under-bent angle. In traditional air bending, one would simply descend the punch a little farther to achieve the angle specified by the job. But in a wiping situation, operators are stuck with the angle they get.
Imagine an operator is bending a 4-ft., 90-degree flange protruding to the front of the press brake. After the bend is made, the panel over the operator’s head suddenly drops. This process is stressful for the operator, and can damage the material.
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January 31, 2018