Sheet metal processing often involves cutting blanks in size, forming edges by bending the sides at certain angles. Such work leads to the fact that various kinds of stresses arise in the details, including compression of the internal bending line and expansion in the external part. A bending machine makes it possible to minimize these negative effects. Its design is designed in such a way that a bending force is manifested simultaneously along the entire length of the workpiece. In this regard, deformation occurs synchronously, while the metal does not break, there are no potentially susceptible places to corrosion on it.
Varieties
Bending machines differ from each other by the principle of operation and structural design. With their help, bending of sheets and edges from two millimeters is performed. The process is carried out as efficiently as possible on stationary modifications that are operated at metal processing plants. Compact and mechanical analogues are focused on installation in private households and small repair shops. They are also used directly at the facilities for the installation of a metal roof, water supply or ventilation elements.
The equipment under consideration according to the design features is divided into the following varieties:
- rotational modifications;
- rotary options;
- devices of press action.
According to the principle of action, they are:
- manual edging machines;
- mechanical models with a rotary flywheel;
- electromagnetic or electromechanical instances;
- pneumatic;
- hydraulic.
Units with any drive can process black and galvanized steel, aluminum, copper. When bending painted blanks, the protective layer is not damaged. The main area of work is the manufacture of complex structural elements and parts (gutters, ducts, stands, bottoms, special narrow profiles).
Device
The design of any bending machine includes a mandatory set of parts, depending on functionality. For example, segment-type models are oriented to metal processing along non-parallel lines. This allows the manufacture of triangular, trapezoidal and segmented parts. Feed-through versions bend the material only in a parallel direction, since the clamping working part and the bending beam do not move along the longitudinal axis.
The main structural elements of the equipment in question:
- skeleton (bed);
- the rear desktop, which serves to install the workpiece, move it in the desired direction and conduct basic operations;
- flexor and cutter;
- frontal support legs, allowing you to set the width of the cut workpiece;
- a knife of a roller configuration, which serves to form predetermined segments and align the edges;
- corner and sharp tires;
- flexor with goniometers;
- clamping beam;
- controllers responsible for adjusting the height of the side;
- drive and controls.
Principle of operation
The metal sheet is mounted on the table of a bending machine, pressed by a beam of a suitable shape to the surface. The bending element rises, capturing the workpiece or edge. The part is pressed to the tire, which plays the role of a kind of matrix, after which it bends to the desired angle.
In manual models, the necessary effort is given using a special handle in the form of a lever. When processing metal with a thickness of up to one millimeter, excessive exposure is not required; a person with average physical training can cope with such a task. On the specified equipment, the edge is bent by 125-135 degrees, further refinement (up to 180 °) is carried out by means of an eccentric screed. For sheets with a thickness of two or more millimeters, equipment with a hydraulic or other powerful drive will be required.
Industrial press brake and machine tools
This category includes multifunctional metalworking devices. They are often equipped with CNC, can be used for piece or large-scale production. Consider the features of the press-bending machine on the example of the machine IB-1424. It is produced by the Nelidovo plant for the production of hydraulic presses.
This equipment does not belong to the most powerful category, however, it performs all the envisaged processes quickly and efficiently. The specified type of bending machines is capable of processing sheets and strips of various materials, develops a force of the order of 25 t / s. Key features:
- straight bending with a minimum bead height of 5 mm;
- blanking;
- making holes;
- processing profiles of complex configuration;
- the maximum length of parts is up to 2500 mm.
Features
To provide the possibility of processing metal sheets of various thicknesses, bending presses are equipped with replaceable type punches, which allow to provide the required bending angle, regardless of the complexity of the profile. In addition, the equipment is equipped with special matrices that differ in width. Replaceable elements are mounted quickly, reconfiguration of devices to a different type of product is carried out as quickly as possible.
The force of the machine is adjusted in a fairly wide range. In order to avoid the appearance of a critical parameter leading to deformation of the workpiece, special force tables have been developed. They provide information that takes into account the length of the bending line, the thickness of the material and the working radius. The hydraulic version differs from a rotary bending machine with a smooth adjustment of effort, minimal noise, and compliance with the design pressure throughout the entire process.
HDS Model
This is another popular hydraulic press brake. The unit processes metal billets with a thickness of up to 3.5 millimeters; it belongs to the middle class in terms of productivity. The maximum length of the part to be cut is 3050 mm, and the bending of the edges is up to 1350 mm. Developed effort - 16 MPa. Despite the fact that numerical control is not provided, the press has a wide range of settings.
LGS-26 version
We continue the description of bending machines with a manual compact version, which is part of a series of equipment manufactured by the Lipetsk profile bending plant. This unit is optimally suited for small workshops and field operations directly to the facility. It is designed to work with metals whose thickness does not exceed 0.7 millimeters. The main purpose is high-quality and fast production of shaped parts, including slopes, low tides, stands, skates, narrow slats and profiles.
When machining parts, the edge is bent by 15 millimeters at an angle of up to 180 °. Flatness of sheet cutting is guaranteed by the presence of strong alloy rollers in the construction. The standard equipment of the unit includes:
- the main mechanism with a clip;
- beam;
- bending device;
- goniometer;
- cutting machine;
- frontal limiters that accelerate the process of cutting operations;
- set of spare knives.
The considered bending machine is a rather practical and thoughtful design. It is quite possible to use it as a prototype for creating a do-it-yourself bending machine. It is worth noting that all parts are made using standard metalworking tools and welding. In a small workshop, a similar machine can be made at minimal cost. Assembled from finished parts, the unit will cost 2-3 times cheaper than purchased in finished form.
Total
Plate bending machines and presses greatly simplify the many construction and installation works of metal. Due to differences in design and purpose, choosing the right equipment is not difficult, taking into account the main use and price. For the home workshop, manual modifications that can be done independently are quite suitable.