Yes! we have an entire selection of horizontal machines that can produce your smaller items quickly and reduce the workload of your existing brake press.

The fastest way to ruin your press brake tooling is mismatched material, misalignment, overloading, dirty plates, poor maintenance, or using the wrong dies. Following proper setup, using the right tooling, and maintaining your equipment keeps your tooling in top condition and ensures accurate, high-quality bends.

When using a press brake, knowing how metal stretches and compresses during bending is essential for accurate part dimensions. Two key concepts help you calculate this: bend allowance and bend deduction.

1. Bend Allowance (BA)

• Definition: The length of material along the neutral axis of a bend — essentially, the portion of metal that is stretched or compressed during bending.
• Purpose: Helps you calculate the total flat length of material you need before bending.
• Example: If you need a 90° bend in a 1/4″ thick plate, the bend allowance tells you how much metal is “used up” in the bend so your part comes out the right size.
• Tip: Bend allowance depends on material thickness, bend radius, and bend angle.

2. Bend Deduction (BD)

• Definition: The amount you subtract from the sum of the two outside leg lengths to determine the correct flat pattern length of the material.
• Purpose: Makes it easier to calculate flat stock length for multiple bends without complex formulas.
• Relationship to BA: Bend deduction = (sum of outside legs) − flat length of part
• Example: If two legs add up to 12″ and the flat length is 11.5″, the bend deduction is 0.5″.

Why It Matters

• Using bend allowance or bend deduction ensures your parts fit correctly after bending.
• It prevents over‑bending, undersized parts, or material waste.
• Many modern press brakes and CNC controllers allow you to input BA or BD to automatically calculate flat lengths for accurate bending.

In Short:

• Bend Allowance (BA): Amount of material along the neutral axis “used up” in the bend.
• Bend Deduction (BD): Amount subtracted from the sum of leg lengths to determine the flat length.
• Both are essential for precision bending and accurate flat pattern layout.

Selecting the correct press brake tooling is essential for accurate bends, efficient operation, and long tool life. The right tooling depends on the material type, thickness, bend radius, and part geometry.

1. Match Tooling to Material Thickness

• Each punch and die has a recommended thickness range.
• Using tooling rated for too thin or too thick material can cause poor bends, tool damage, or even machine overload.

2. Consider Bend Radius

• The V-die opening should be roughly 6–8 times the material thickness for standard bending.
• Tighter radii may require special narrow dies, while thicker materials need wider dies.

3. Choose Tooling Type Based on Bend

• Standard V-dies and punches: Good for general-purpose bending.
• Gooseneck punches: Ideal for bending tubes, channels, or flanges without interference.
• Specialty dies (radius, offset, hemming): For specific part shapes or complex bends.

4. Check Material Hardness

• Harder materials (like stainless steel) may require high-strength tooling or different punch/die combinations.
• Softer materials (aluminum, mild steel) can use standard tooling, but careful alignment is still necessary.

5. Ensure Compatibility with Your Press Brake

• Tooling must match the press brake’s tonnage, width, and setup style.
• Confirm whether the tooling is compatible with manual, hydraulic, or CNC back gauges if used.

6. Factor in Production Volume

• High-volume shops benefit from hardened tooling or quick-change systems to reduce downtime.
• Low-volume or prototype work may prioritize flexibility and ease of change over wear resistance.

In short: Choose press brake tooling by considering material thickness and hardness, bend radius, part geometry, tooling type, and press brake compatibility. Using the right tooling ensures accurate, safe, and repeatable bends.

Proper tool alignment is critical for accurate, safe, and repeatable bends. Misaligned tooling can cause uneven bends, part damage, or even machine overload. Follow these steps to set up your press brake correctly:

1. Inspect Tooling Before Setup

• Check punches and dies for damage (chips, cracks, or wear).
• Ensure all clamps, bolts, and locking mechanisms are clean and in good condition.

2. Clean the Machine and Tooling Surfaces

• Remove dust, debris, and metal shavings from the bed and die holders.
• Clean the punch shank and die grooves for proper seating.

3. Install the Die First

• Position the die in the bed and ensure it is centered, level, and fully seated.
• Secure it using the machine’s clamps, pins, or screws.

4. Install the Punch

• Carefully lower the punch into position above the die.
• Align it so that it is perpendicular to the die and centered along its length.
• Verify there is uniform clearance between punch and die along the full width.

5. Check Alignment with Test Sheet

• Use a scrap piece of material to test the bend.
• Inspect the bend angle, leg lengths, and flatness.
• Make minor adjustments to the punch or die position as needed.

6. Use Back Gauges and Guides

• Set back gauges and side stops to maintain consistent positioning for repeatable bends.
• Ensure the workpiece is properly supported and aligned with the tooling before each bend.

7. Maintain Consistency

• Always tighten clamps securely and recheck alignment after tool changes.
• Perform periodic inspections during production runs to catch any drift or misalignment early.

In short: Correct press brake tool alignment involves cleaning surfaces, seating the die, centering and leveling the punch, testing with scrap material, and using back gauges. Regular checks and careful setup ensure precise, safe, and repeatable bending operations.

To determine the tons per foot you need: know your material type and thickness, measure the bend length, consider your die opening, and apply the tonnage formula or manufacturer charts. This ensures safe, accurate, and repeatable bends.

• Standard V-dies: General-purpose bending of sheet metal.
• Gooseneck punches: Ideal for bending tubes, channels, and flanges without interference.
• Specialty dies (radius, offset, hemming): For complex or custom bends.
• Hardened tooling: Used for high-volume production or harder materials like stainless steel.

Choosing the right punch and die improves bend accuracy, reduces wear, and prevents part or tooling damage.

RMT press brakes include multiple built-in safety features:

• Emergency stop buttons for quick shutdown.
• Light curtains or safety gates to prevent access to moving parts.
• Overload protection to prevent machine and tooling damage.
• Hydraulic pressure relief valves for safe operation.
• Operator training & manuals provided to reinforce safe practices.

Combined with proper PPE and shop practices, these features help create a safe working environment.

Regular maintenance keeps your press brake safe and efficient. Key steps:

• Daily: Clean machine, inspect tooling, check hydraulic fluid levels, verify safety systems.
• Weekly: Lubricate moving parts, inspect clamps, check alignment.
• Monthly/Quarterly: Inspect hydraulic hoses, verify back gauge accuracy, check machine level.
• Annually: Full inspection by qualified technicians, including wear components and hydraulic system.

Following this schedule ensures consistent bends and long machine life.

When selecting a press brake, consider:

• Material types and thicknesses you plan to bend.
• Bending length — match the machine width to your largest parts.
• Required bend precision and repeatability — CNC or hydraulic models offer more control.
• Production volume — higher volume may justify faster or automated machines.
• Tooling compatibility — ensure your punch and die options meet your bend requirements.
• Shop space and budget — machine footprint and investment must align with your facility and finances.

Choosing the right press brake upfront ensures accuracy, efficiency, and long-term productivity.

• Bend allowance (BA) accounts for the material stretched along the neutral axis during bending.
• Use BA to determine the flat length of material before bending.
• BA depends on material thickness, bend angle, and bend radius.
• Many modern CNC press brakes allow input of BA, automatically calculating the flat pattern for precise bends.

Accurate BA ensures parts fit correctly after bending and reduces scrap.