Press Brake Bending
Press brake bending forms straight bends in sheet and plate by pressing it between a punch and a V-die. It produces angles, channels, boxes and brackets in thicknesses from thin sheet to heavy plate, with CNC or conventional control.
What it is
Air bending, the most common method, presses the sheet partly into the V-die; the depth sets the angle. Bottoming and coining press fully into the die for tighter angles on thinner material.
Press brakes are rated in tonnes; the force needed depends on material, thickness, bend length and die opening.
Typical applications
- Angles, channels and trays
- Enclosure and door panels
- Structural brackets and plates
- Machine guards and covers
- Heavy plate bends for fabrication
Suitable materials
- CRCA and HR mild steel
- Galvanised steel (GI/GP)
- Stainless steel (304, 316)
- Aluminium (5052, 6061)
- Structural steel plate
Points to consider
- Thicker and harder materials spring back more; CNC compensates but radius choice matters.
- Long bends in thin sheet may bow slightly; stiffening features help.
- Holes and slots too close to the bend distort.
- State the inside radius if it is functional.
Frequently asked questions
What is air bending?
Pressing the sheet part-way into a V-die so the punch depth sets the angle. It is flexible and the most common press brake method.
How thick can a press brake bend?
It depends on tonnage and bend length; common machines bend mild steel up to around 12–16 mm, heavier machines more.
What causes springback?
Elastic recovery of the metal after bending. It is higher for harder materials and larger radii, and is compensated by over-bending.