Used Press Brake for Sale — 5,136

Use of a Press Brake Machine

A metal press brake is most commonly used to produce a single or multiple layered sheet of metal. Complex profiles can be produced because the sheet is inserted into the press brake machine at an angle to the fold. The layered or folded sheets are used in automobile construction, the construction of cabinets, or to waterproof sandwich panels. Therefore, every company that produces sandwich panels (e.g. Hoesch, Siegerland Werke or Fischer Profil) always has a department, which is responsible for the bending of finished plates. Body repair shops usually have manually operated press brakes. Using these machines, skilled workers can manually repair complexly formed sheets, such as the edges of doors or the sill of automobiles.

Function of a Press Brake Dies and Punches

A press brake only has a few interchangeable tools, which are made up out of V-shaped wedges that are several meters long and a fitting groove. The punch and press brake dies and pushed together with high pressure. The wedge is used usually called a “punch” and the groove is called a “die”. The sheet metal, which is placed between these two components, is then uniformly shaped into the desired form. The tracks, upon which the profile of the angle is attached, can be switched. Thereby, several different types of angles can be produced with one press brake. The most common way to control the bending of the angles on a press brake is by adjusting its strokes. The sheet metal is bent constantly in relation to the depth of the punch. The stroke of the tracks can always be stopped. The predetermined angle is always the smallest possible, which is adjustable with the profiles used on the metal press brake.

Structure of a Hydraulic Press Brake

A hydraulic press brake is made out of a machine support frame, a lifting unit, controls and an engine. Small press brakes usually have a frame made out of a welded steel tube construction. Larger press brakes require a frame made out of cast iron so that they can safety absorb all the force, tension and vibrations that occur during processing. A press brake is either operated hydraulically, mechanically or pneumatically. Pneumatic press brakes are only used for very small products, like window frames or rails used in mechanics. The type of engine also determines what thickness of sheet metal can be processed. Particularly powerful hydraulically operated press brakes can process sheet metal that is up to several centimeters thick. However, the use of hydraulic press brake is only possible in certain situations and cannot be done with every angle. Press brakes can either be controlled manually or using CNC control. An additional feed is required for a CNC press brake. Press brakes with this feed can then be used to process larger numbers. It is useful to check whether a roll forming system would be more suitable for processing thin-walled sheet metal profiles. The larger the press brake, the bigger the lifting unit. With a really big structure, warpages and contortions can be effectively fixed. Thereby, a brake press for sale has to be regularly checked for dimensional accuracy. Sometimes a cement foundation is required for really large press brake machines.

Safety Precautions for a Press Brake

Manually operated press brakes contain an extra safety system. Press brakes often cause hand injuries because the sheet metal is manually guided through the machine. A few years ago, a two-handed release system was made a standard safety requirement. However, these have been found to be unpractical for many reasons. Above all, it significantly slowed down the processing time, which means that the safety system was often deliberately overridden. In order to ensure quicker processing times without compromising safety, optical systems are used today that are based on laser technology. Thereby, the workpiece can be continually guided through to the bending unit and the process can be stopped with a foot pedal.

Buying Used Press Brakes

The choice of using a second hand press brake depends on where and how it will be implemented. The force and matrix size are more important factors than the dimension of a press brake, in contrast with manual press brake. The force is usually measured in tonnes (t) or kilo newtons (kN). Press brakes are standard machines used for sheet metal processing. The used market offers a large choice of high quality used press brakes for sale, especially used hydraulic press brake and CNC press brake for sale. It is worth testing and measuring press brakes from the 1970s or 1980s. It is always recommended to purchase a brake press machine that is 20-40% bigger than what you require, irregardless of whether it is a new or used machine. A higher level of flexibility can be offered to customers when working with a powerful used brake press. Additionally, tools with small dimensions have lower wear and tear after extended periods of use. Stainless steel is much more resistant to bending, especially in relation to white or copper sheets with the same material thickness. For producers of components of machine covers, an appropriately sized press brake can be incorporated into the machining programme, to process these materials. With little investment it is thereby possible to produce rustproof, non-magnetic cover components that do not have a coating. It is possible to always find a press brake for sale of a similar price with more power due to the large number of machines available on the second-hand market.

Accessories for Press Brakes

Press brakes are used to process the edges of sheet metal efficiently and precisely. These have to be transported to the bending process, and then the finished products have to be transported away. For the manually operated press brakes, the use of bending aids and equipment lifters is very useful. Bending aids are additional supports upon which very large sheet metal workpieces can be placed for processing, without the risk of them sagging, bending or falling off. Equipment lifters are useful tools, which lift packets of sheet metal to the height required for processing. Thereby, the operator does not have to undertake the laborious task of bending down and lifting heavy workpieces. For particularly large and heavy sheet metal pieces, using a small mobile crane with a lifting unit (suction cup or magnet) is a great help.

Working with a Press Brake Tooling

Thin-walled sheet metal is usually processed using a press brake. These have particularly sharp edges and corners. The most common injury is a cut resulting from coming in contact with the edge of the sheet metal. Therefore, it is necessary to wear cut resistant gloves and cut resistant clothes when working with a used press brake tooling. The minimum requirement for the workspace is a leather apron, to protect the operator’s chest and legs against sharp edged sheet metal.

Working with a press brake requires a briefing and some practice. Official training is usually not required. Unlike working with punches and presses, the bending of sheet metal is more suited for unskilled workers.

Suppliers of Press Brakes

Particularly recommended suppliers of press brakes include MENGELE, LOTZE, DARLEY, AMADA, PROMECAM, TRUMPF and HACO.