A Brief History of Metal Bending Machines

24 Jun.,2024

 

A Brief History of Metal Bending Machines

A metal bending machine forms metal pieces into diverse shapes including plates, strips, rods, tubes, and more. Metal bending machines shape metal for an array of products such as car panels, aircraft parts, cabinets, gutters, architectural features, and more.

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Over time, we&#;ve discovered more uses for bent metal. This growing demand has prompted the evolution of metal bending machinery. Read this brief history of metal bending machines to learn more.


Shifting From Iron to Steel

In the past, curved metal structures were usually made from iron. Blacksmiths could curve small pieces of iron through hot forging because of the material&#;s softness. The blacksmith would take the workpiece (usually iron), heat it, and shape it through hammering and pressing.


While trip hammers were used in Imperial China hundreds of years before they appeared in Europe, blacksmiths in medieval Europe began using water-powered hammer forges in the 11th century. With this tool, they were able to create large quantities of steel sheets. This changed the metalworking field, resulting in the formation of specialty metalworking guilds.


The First Sheet Metal Bending Machine

During the 18th century, metal started replacing wood in metalworking equipment. This change in material, combined with a more sophisticated system of levers and controls, made metalworking easier. And just as the introduction of mass-produced sheet metal helped the industry take off, the invention of the reversing rolling mill at the end of the 18th century increased mechanical sheet metal production.


The first metal bending machines were made in the 19th century. With these machines, the locking lever and bending tools were powered by hydraulic cylinders and controlled with a lever valve. Eventually, the shears were also powered hydraulically.


20

th

Century

The twentieth century saw massive changes in the history of metal bending machines. Starting in the s, bending systems became increasingly electrified. The first control systems operated clamping, bending, and cutting.


Numerical controls (CNC) for machine tools were developed in the s. The operator could pre-set values for clamping, bending, and cutting. In the mid-&#;s, steel bending machines became capable of curving large steel beams accurately and at a much lower cost. This improved process led to an increase in curved steel in construction.


At the end of the s, operators could use graphic control systems on their metal bending machines. Soon thereafter, operators could input values using touchscreens. CNC metal bending machines make the once extremely difficult tasks of metal-bending so much easier, allowing metal fabricators to create precisely bent parts for offices, airport terminals, mega stores, and much more.

&#;

Moving Forward

As in many other industries, metal bending machines are becoming increasingly automated, cost-efficient, and precise. Architectural System Fabricators provides high-quality metal forming services by using advanced metal bending machinery. Let us complete your next fabricating job!

The Ultimate Guide To Bending Machine




Introduction


Bending machine is a very important equipment, widely used in various fields; The type of bending machine required for bending work corresponding to different shapes is different. It is important to understand the bending machine and analyze your bending needs. In addition, you still need to consider many factors. This article provides insights on selecting the most suitable factors for your bending machine. I believe you will benefit from it.





What Is A Bending Machine?


A bending machine is a machine that bends or shapes metal;


Bending machine can achieve a variety of purposes, can be used as a press machine,  tube bender, forming machine,  plate rolling machine, etc.;.


Bending machine has a wide range of functions, with downward pressure, bending, forming, curling and other functions;


Bending machine can change different bending tools, in vertical or selective movement, make the metal shaped into a curved state;





How Many Types Of Bending Machine?


In fact, bending machines can be divided into various types according to different characteristics. 

according to the purpose of processing is divided into: Pipe bending machine, Sheet bending machine and Plate rolling machine;  

according to the structure is divided into: Mechanical bending machine, Hydraulic bending machine; 

according to the operation is divided into: Manual bending machine, NC bending machine, and CNC bending machine ; 

according to the processing material can be divided into: Steel bending machine, Metal bending machine, Acrylic bending machine.





Sheet Bending Machine


Definition&#;Sheet Metal Bending Machine is a machine for processing sheet metal. At present, two types of machines are used to process workpieces with different requirements:



Press Brake



Press brake is a cold forming machine for sheet metal, which processes different materials and shapes.


It needs to be equipped with press brake tools, such as upper punch, lower die, controllers, clamping systems, crowning systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, etc;


The Press brake can be configured with different CNC systems and control axes to achieve automatic production and high-efficient work.


The series of press brake are different, including hydraulic Press brake, fully-electric press brake, and hybrid press brake.



Structure of Press Brake



Slider 


The slider is composed of a slider and two oil cylinders. The two oil cylinders on both sides are fixed on the frame and high-strength welded. The control system achieves the rise and fall of the slider through the flow rate of the proportional valve.


Workbench


Place the lower mold on the workbench to achieve the extrusion of the sheet metal between the molds. The workbench can be equipped with a crowning system to achieve angular straightness and maintain consistent bending angles for long-distance sheet metal bending.


Servo system


The servo motor provides faster and more accurate positioning and repeated positioning for the Press brake. The servo driver provides positioning and repositioning , and speed switching for the servo system, achieving closed-loop control.


Back gauge


The back gauge system is controlled by a CNC system, which can achieve multi axis movement, ensuring accurate and convenient bending.





Plate Rolling Machine


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Plate rolling machine is a plastic machine tool for continuous point bending of plates, with the function of rolling O-type, U-type, multi-section R, and pre-bending of steel plates;


When the curling machine works, the worm drive lower stick does vertical upgrading action, the motor drives the lower roll to do rotary work, the reducer provides torque for the rolled plate, and the end of the plate can be pre-bent with the help of the equipment.






Tube Bender



Pipe Bending Machine


Definition&#;A pipe bender is a machine and equipment that bends metal pipes into various shapes. It usually consists of a solidly constructed frame, bending wheels and pressure wheels, drives and control systems. Pipe bender can be divided into CNC pipe bender, hydraulic pipe bender.





The Difference Between CNC Pipe Bender And Hydraulic Pipe Bender?



CNC Pipe Bender


Definition: With a control system can be achieved multi-step, complex bending, mainly used for pipe fittings, wire bending.


Main Features:


1. With faster moving speed and fast moving function;


2. Self-calibrating pressure bands can be set for automatic positioning;


3. semi-automatic or fully automatic feeding systems;


4. Position-controlled pipe pressurisation system for small radii and complex elbows;


5. Three station table: for machining multi-curvature, multi-diameter, mixed elbows and rectangular polygons.




Hydraulic Pipe Bender


Definition: Equipped with bending function and lifting bending tool, with simple structure, easy operation, acceptable price, and fast loading and unloading speed.


Main Features:


1. Tube Bender with touch screen, dialogue operation, easy to set the program;


2. Stable bed structure, not easy to deform;


3. Each gear can be set to 16 bending angle, can be memorised in 16 groups;


4. With slow positioning function, bending angle stability, repeatability can be controlled in ±0.1° ;


5. Error alarm function.



How does the pipe bender work ?


The metal pipe to be processed is put into the clamping port of the pipe bender, the control system starts the machine and feeds the metal pipe between the bending wheel and the pressure wheel. During operation, the bending wheel will gradually rotate, causing the metal pipe to bend along a predetermined curve. At the same time, the pressure wheel applies sufficient pressure to ensure that the metal pipe is tightly fitted to the bending wheel from start to finish to avoid deformation or damage. In addition, the drive unit provides the necessary power to ensure that the bending wheel rotates smoothly and accurately. Once the bending process is complete, the metal pipe can be removed from the bender's clamping port.





Conclusion:


Bending machines are used for a variety of purposes, such as bending tubes, folding plates, and rolling plates. These machines come in various types, features and specifications to meet your processing needs.


Factors such as quality, price and service should be considered when choosing a bending machine.


ZFY as a leading metal processing solution provider in China, manufactures and customises bending machines, laser cutting machines, plate rolling machines, slotting machines, shearing machines and more for you!


Please feel free to contact us if you need help in choosing the right metal working solution, we share expertise that proves our excellent manufacturing experience and product quality.







FAQ


Q: What machine is used for bending?

A: According to different bending purposes, when bending a sheet, use press brake; When bending pipes, use a pipe bending machine.


Q: What is used to bend metal?

A: Press brake is a metal forming machine, which is used to process metal, such as carbon steel plate, stainless steel plate, aluminum plate, etc.


Q: What is a hydraulic bending machine?

A: The hydraulic Press brake generally refers to the hydraulic sheet metal Press brake, which is driven by the hydraulic system to make the upper and lower dies bend the shape of the sheet metal.


Q: What tools are used for bending and folding?

A: Use upper and lower dies on the Press brake for bending, and use Bend die, Clamp die, Wiper die, Pressure die, Mandrel on the pipe bender.


Q: How many types of bending methods are there?

A: Tube bending, metal bending, plate rolling etc



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