Introduction to the principle of the lower die for thick-plate bending in press brakes—save this now!

What is the principle behind the lower die used in the bending machine’s thick-plate bending standard? Let’s take a brief look at it together.

When bending sheet metal, failure to achieve precise processing results can lead to substantial economic losses for enterprises and negatively impact the development of the industry and society. During the bending process, the selection of equipment has a significant influence on the accuracy of material processing; therefore, educators must place greater emphasis on choosing specialized equipment and products to ensure that production processes are carried out effectively. Many manufacturers today also place considerable importance on the practical application of bending-machine dies. So, what specific process flow does this type of teaching equipment follow during operation to complete material-processing tasks?

During the process of using press brake dies to bend thick plates according to standard lower-die specifications, equipment management can analyze and process materials by leveraging various components. This development process alters the original appearance and shape of the material, enabling students to use a simple operating system to form plates into different angles and specifications, thereby meeting the application and market demands of various industries.

The bending machine die introduced here features a simple structure. The dies for this type of equipment are divided into two main parts, and different dies deliver varying process outcomes. These dies can both press and separate the material; therefore, operators must carefully distinguish among them and adjust controls in accordance with each die’s specific function. Improper operating procedures or failure to correctly identify the appropriate die for the job can easily compromise the quality of the material processing.

To enhance work efficiency, it is essential during the die-machining process for plate-bending machines to have a solid understanding of the operating principles underlying the standard lower-die configuration for thick-plate bending, as well as to ensure that operators are proficient in the correct operation of the equipment and fully aware of the relevant safety precautions. These factors directly determine the quality and precision of material processing.

What are the development trends for the lower dies used in thick-plate bending on press brakes? Let’s take a brief look at this together.

From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, high-speed steel was the primary material used for CNC press brake dies; in 1927, Germany pioneered the development of cemented carbide as a material for CNC press brake dies, which soon saw widespread application. In the 1950s, Sweden and the United States independently synthesized synthetic diamond, marking the beginning of an era in cutting tool manufacturing characterized by ultra-hard materials. By the 1970s, advances in high-pressure synthesis technology enabled the production of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), effectively addressing the scarcity and high cost of natural diamond and expanding the application scope of diamond-based CNC press brake dies to diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and stone processing in China.

The selection of materials for CNC press brake die design is the foundation for successful machining. Compared with cemented carbide, PCD dies can achieve cutting speeds of up to 4,000 m/min, whereas cemented carbide achieves only about one-quarter of that speed. In general, the service life of PCD dies can be increased by a factor of 20. In terms of the quality of the machined surface, PCD delivers performance that is 30% to 40% superior to that of cemented carbide. In addition, the development of CBN (cubic boron nitride) superhard-material dies and coated dies for CNC bending machines also contributes to advances in cutting technology.