Step by Step Guide on How to Use Sheet Metal Brake Machine

Have you ever tried bending a thick sheet of metal for instance, stainless steel by hand? That is a near impossible task that you can only execute with the aid of the right machinery.

All you need is a sheet metal brake machine, engineered to impart perfect curves on your metal sheet while eliminating the need for your human intervention.

Step 1: Adhere to the Stipulated Sheet Metal Bending Safety Regulations

Before commencing your metal bending operation, first go through the safety protocols outlined in the user manual that accompanies your machine. Failure to observe these regulations puts you and your operators at risk. These regulations include:

· Know How to Operate Your Machine

You cannot operate any machinery and get the best from it without the requisite training and operating a sheet metal bending machine is no exception. Go through the comprehensive user guide that accompanies your machine to familiarize yourself with the machine’s operation, its safety protocols.

Furthermore, immerse yourself into the working principles of the sheet metal brake machine. The guide will also take you through all the emergency procedures you should observe when running this machine. If you are unsure about the machine’s operation, consult your manufacturer or seek the help of a certified technician.

· Acquire the Appropriate Safety Gear

What could go wrong as you attempt to bend or machine a metal piece? Well, the sharp edges may cut your hands or metal shavings may strike your eyes. This is why you are required to put on the complete protective gear including;

• Safety Glasses: To keep metal shavings away from your eyes.
• Steel-Toed Boots: To protect your feet from falling heavy metal pieces, which can crash your toes.
• Heavy-Duty Gloves: To protect your hands from rough metal pieces and sharp edges.

Additionally, you are advised to avoid baggy clothing as well as loose hair when operating a sheet metal brake machine. This eliminates the risk of your hair or clothes getting caught in between the machine’s moving components.

· Examine Your Metal Bending Machine

If you are using a newly procured machine, set it up per the installation manual and test it before embarking on the actual bending. Examine the state of your machine as a whole as well as the condition of its accompanying components. Are they in tin-top condition or are they worn out?

Proceed to commence the bending operation only after you have verified the machine’s condition. If you notice any abnormality, seek a technicians help or contact your machine’s manufacturer. For old sheet metal brakes, follow the proposed maintenance schedule and practices.

You can also consider our hydraulic sheet bending machine.

· Get to Know the Applicable Emergency Procedures

Despite adhering to the recommended safety regulations, bending metal using a sheet metal brake is still susceptible to accidents. This makes it mandatory for you to grasp all emergency procedures before running your machine.

Get to know where your machine’s emergency stop button is located emergency scenarios where it may come in handy. Also, make your first-aid kit easily accessible and document any accident, whether major or trivial. This will help you devise strategies that avert future accidents.

· Tidy Up Your Working Area

After machining, clean your sheet metal brake thoroughly as well as the surrounding area. This will eliminate metal shavings and other debris that may prove to be a safety hazard if left lying idly.

Furthermore, you must organize your unmachined metal sheets as well as the resulting finished pieces to avert the risk of accidents. A disorganized working environment is not only an eye-sore but also a hotbed of safety risks.

Step 2: Pick the Right Bending Machine

Using a sheet metal brake machine that is not specialized for your unique application will most likely leave you with poor quality bent metal components. This is irrespective of your craftsmanship.

With the right equipment, this will feel like the machine is an extension of your hands. Your options include:

• Mechanical Press Brake
• Electric Press Brake
• Hydraulic Press Brake
• CNC Press Brake

We have an effective press brake bending machine for a range of bending applications.

Step 3: Mount Your Sheet Metal Brake Machine

After carefully making your pick, proceed to install your machine. If you are unsure about the installation process, after going through the installation procedure seek the aid of an installation technician.

For a seamless installation process, observe the following tips;

• Choose the Perfect Installation Spot:Carefully pick a flat and secure area, where you will install your machine. The room should be well ventilated and roofed to keep water and other unwanted elements from your machine. Also make certain the floor is stable to avoid machine swinging, which can lead to accidents.
• Install Your Machine: Once you find your sweet spot, securely and tightly mount your sheet metal bending machine to the floor or workbench. Make certain that the machine is not swinging or vibrating.
• Prepare Your Machine: Now that you have installed your sheet metal brake, set the parameters that will help you achieve your desired bend angle. This is pretty straightforward and you will only need to adjust the angle gauge on your machine.
• Experiment: Test your machine’s ability to impart your desired bending angle by trialing the bending operation of a scrap metal. Set the bending angle to your desired level and inspect the finished product afterward.

Step 4: Know the Sheet Metal Bending Angle/Radius

The bending angle depicts the degree of inclination on your metal sheet. Bend radius, on the other hand, depicts the distance from your metal sheet’s inner surface to your bend’s center. It tremendously impacts your bend angle.

A good example of a bending angle is an L-shaped metal component, which boasts of a 90-degree bend. Your bending angle/radius depends on several factors;

• Sheet Thickness/Thinness: When bending thick sheets of metal, you will require more force and a larger bend radius. This will ensure that your metal sheet does not crack or get distorted. When bending thin sheets of metal, you will require less force.
• Grain Direction: When bending your metal piece, make certain your bend direction is parallel to your metal’s grain. Additionally, this direction has a spring-back impact on your metal.
• Hardness: The harder your metal sheet is, the harder it is to impart your desired bend angle. Harder metals also have a limited attainable radius.
• Tooling Capabilities: The type and quality of your sheet bending machine also impact the bending angle you achieve. With the right equipment, you are guaranteed a perfect bend.

Step 5: Insert Sheet Metal into Brake Bending Machine

With your sheet metal bending machine well set up, prepare your metal sheet or piece for bending. First, clean the piece to get rid of dirt and rust. Also, mark the area you want to bend before inserting your sheet into the machine.

Then proceed to position your sheet accurately, before adjusting the back gauge appropriately. Finally, lower your clamping bar to ensure your metal sheet is securely held. This will eliminate any risk of unintended movement during bending.

Step 6: Bend Sheet Metal Using Machine

Now let your sheet metal brake get into action. Depending on the type of machine you are using, lower the machine’s ram. If it is manual, you will have to lower the ram by hand. Automatic machine bending machines rely on electricity or hydraulic power. This will bring the punch into contact with your metal sheet thus initiating the bending process.

By adjusting the stroke of your ram, you determine your bend angle. After your desired bend has been imparted, lift the ram to disengage the punch. You can then reposition the metal sheet for further bending or extract it if you are satisfied with the bend angle and radius.

Step 7: Check the Quality of the Bent Sheet Metal

Extract your metal sheet or piece from the sheet metal brake and examine the state of the bend imparted. Is the bend angle perfect and is the radius satisfactory? You can tell all these by just visually inspecting your finished piece. Also, check the alignment of your piece along the bent region.

If your bend is unsatisfactory, review your machine settings before initiating another bending process. You can also utilize certified measuring equipment such as a protractor to measure the accuracy of your bend. Make certain you also examine the consistency of your bend.

Step 8: Clean Sheet Metal Brake Machine after Use

Once you achieve your desired bend angle, extract your sheet from the sheet metal brake machine. Then, subject your finished sheet to additional machining including trimming to smoothen rough edges and form its final dimensions.

Consequently, turn off the machine and disconnect it from your power source. When cleaning, make certain you are still in your safety gear to avoid injuries that may be caused by the machine’s sharp edges. Using a soft brush, brush your machine to dislodge the resulting metal shavings.

Although this will effectively extract big debris, you will need a vacuum cleaner to dislodge finer elements. Conclude the cleaning process by wiping your machine’s surface using a damp cloth and mild detergent. If there are stubborn spots, scrub gently using a cleaning pad or brush.

As effective as metal bending machines are, realizing their true potential requires you to have adequate know-how about their operation. Once you understand their operation, you unlock a door to perfectly bent metal pieces. By adhering to the working principles highlighted above, you are guaranteed to elevate your craftsmanship.