Choosing a press brake starts with the work the machine needs to produce. Material type and thickness, bend length, component size, tooling and production volume all affect the machine specification.
A machine should not be selected on tonnage alone. Working length, daylight, stroke, throat depth, back gauge configuration, CNC control and tooling all need to be considered alongside the bending force required.
For companies replacing an existing press brake, it is also worth looking at what has changed since the current machine was purchased. Different component work, heavier material, shorter batch runs or increased production can all change the specification required from the replacement machine.
Press Brake Tonnage
The tonnage required depends on the material, material thickness, bend length, tooling and the type of bend being produced.
Longer bends and thicker material require greater bending force, but tooling also has a direct effect. The V-opening used for air bending influences the force required, so tonnage should be calculated around the components and tooling rather than simply choosing a machine based on the capacity of an existing press brake.
The required force also needs to be considered against the press brake’s rated capacity and the permissible load across the working length.
For applications involving a wide range of material thicknesses and component lengths, it is important to consider the full production range rather than specifying the machine around one regular job.
Working Length
Press brake working length needs to accommodate the longest components being folded, but simply buying the longest machine available is not necessarily the right approach.
Component dimensions, bend position and how the work will be handled should all be considered. Large sheets and long plate work can place very different demands on a machine compared with smaller components produced in volume.
For particularly long work, a tandem press brake configuration may be more appropriate. Tandem systems allow two press brakes to operate together for longer components and heavy plate applications.
Hydraulic or Servo-Electric Press Brake?
JPS supplies both hydraulic and servo-electric CNC press brakes, and the choice depends on the work being produced rather than one system being suitable for every application.
Hydraulic press brakes cover a broad range of working lengths and tonnages and remain an important option for general fabrication through to heavy plate bending.
Servo-electric machines provide another option for CNC bending, particularly where the required component size and tonnage fall within the available machine range. The JPS range includes both belt-drive and ball-screw servo-electric configurations.
The component range, required capacity, working length and production requirements should therefore be considered before deciding between hydraulic and electric.
Our full range of CNC press brakes includes hydraulic, servo-electric, tandem and automated configurations from RICO, MVD and TECHNA-FAB.
CNC Control & Back Gauge
The control and back gauge configuration should reflect the complexity and variety of the work being produced.
For straightforward repeat work, the requirements can be very different from a production environment involving multiple bends, component sizes and frequent job changes.
When specifying a new machine, we look at the parts being produced and the level of control required rather than treating the CNC system as a separate specification.
The same applies to the back gauge. The required configuration depends on the component geometry and how the work needs to be positioned between bends.
Press Brake Tooling
Tooling needs to be considered as part of the machine specification.
Punch and die selection affects the bends that can be produced and, importantly, the bending force required. Existing tooling should therefore be considered when replacing a machine, particularly if it is intended to continue using it.
For a new installation, press brake tooling can be specified around the material range, component profiles and bending work the machine will be carrying out.
Component Size & Machine Configuration
Tonnage and working length are only part of the specification.
Depending on the work, other dimensions and machine features can become equally important. These can include stroke, daylight and throat depth, particularly where deeper components or more complex profiles are being produced.
This is why component drawings or examples of the work are useful when specifying a press brake. They provide more information than simply knowing the tonnage and working length of the machine being replaced.
Production Volume & Automation
For conventional batch production, a standalone CNC press brake may be all that is required.
Where components are being produced repeatedly at higher volumes, automation can also be considered. JPS supplies robotic press brake cells combining a synchronised press brake with robotic handling for automated production.
Automation needs to be considered around the complete component and production process. Part presentation, bending sequence, handling and production volumes all affect whether a robotic cell is appropriate.
Replacing an Existing Press Brake
Replacing a press brake does not necessarily mean buying the modern equivalent of the same tonnage and working length.
The existing machine provides a useful starting point, but the current workload is more important. If the work has changed since the machine was originally installed, simply matching the old specification can mean carrying the same limitations into the replacement.
When discussing a replacement machine, useful information includes the existing make and model, working length, tonnage and tooling, together with details or drawings of the components currently being produced.
If the existing machine is suitable, it may also be considered for part exchange. We also maintain a changing stock of used press brakes.
Press Brakes from JPS Machinery
Our current press brake range covers hydraulic, servo-electric, tandem and automated configurations from RICO, MVD and TECHNA-FAB.
The range extends from compact CNC machines through to high-tonnage hydraulic press brakes, long-bed tandem systems and robotic bending cells.
We can look at the components being produced and the required capacity, working length, tooling and production requirements before discussing the appropriate machine configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is needed to specify a press brake?
Useful information includes the material type and thickness, maximum bend length, component dimensions, required tonnage, tooling requirements and expected production volumes. Component drawings can also help when the part geometry or bend sequence is more complex.
Should I replace an existing press brake with the same tonnage and working length?
Not necessarily. The existing machine is a useful reference point, but the replacement should be specified around the work being produced now and any planned changes to production. Material thickness, component size, tooling and production volumes may have changed since the original machine was purchased.
Can existing press brake tooling be used on a new machine?
In many cases existing tooling can be considered when specifying a replacement machine, but the tooling system, condition and compatibility need to be checked before the machine specification is confirmed.
When would a tandem press brake be considered?
A tandem configuration is generally considered where the required working length or bending capacity is beyond what is practical on a single machine. The component length, material, tonnage requirement and handling method all need to be considered before specifying a tandem system.
When is a robotic press brake cell worth considering?
Robotic bending is most relevant where repeat components are produced in sufficient volume to justify automated handling and bending. Component geometry, batch size, part presentation and the complete production process all need to be assessed before deciding whether automation is appropriate.
Can JPS support an existing press brake after installation?
Yes. Our in-house service team provides press brake servicing, technical support and press brake breakdown repairs for machinery in service.
