The Exceptional Features of a Hydraulic Press Brake
by MICHAEL HEADINGTEN
Hydraulic press brakes are more flexible and have a higher capacity than mechanical ones because hydraulic brakes are controlled through fluid pressure to a piston. The use of pressurized fluid allows you to program different strokes and speeds within a stroke as needed. Depending on the cylinder length, stroke lengths up to 250 cm or 100 in can be easily obtained in hydraulic press brakes. The number of strokes can be as high as 600 per minute, as it is in the case of a high-speed blanking operation.
You have three types to choose from: conventional, NC, and CNC. In conventional machines, the stroke length and speed are manually adjusted, which means that the operation is based on the operator's experience and knowledge. In NC machines, a program is feed through the NC controllers, which are fitted to the hydraulic press brake. These programs control the machine parameters. NC machines feature speedy stroke cycles for all jobs as well as a reduced setup time. Therefore they are extremely well suited for this kind of repetitious job. In CNC machines, the computer fed program exclusively operates the hydraulic press brake. Bulk pressing operations are possible with these hydraulic press brakes by changing the parameters of the program on the computer.
For operation in the United States, hydraulic press brakes have a 50,000-ton maximum capacity. This is a far greater capacity than mechanical press brakes, which can only handle up to 18,000 tons. Since hydraulic press breaks can have multiple cylinders, it is possible to apply the programmed load entirely to the main ram while applying separate force and timing to the blank holder.
The number of rotating components is minimized on the hydraulic press brake, resulting in less need for maintenance. The machine has hydraulic fluid, which acts as a lubricant, circulating through it. Because the fluid keeps the machine continually lubricated, there is less wear on the components; this means less time and money spent on maintenance. The welded steel frame provides strength and rigidity, reducing vibration. You'll find modern hydraulic press brakes much quieter and easier to adjust.
The piston, cylinder, and guide ways are the only sliding parts of a hydraulic press brake. In addition, wear-and-tear resistant materials are used in hydraulic press brakes. Lubrication also helps reduce the damage.
Adjustable slanting wedges are installed on top of the hydraulic press brake. Manually controlling the accuracy of the job to be pressed is simplified by the ability to adjust these wedges. It is possible to adjust the piston stroke by utilizing the electric motor by the hand wheel. The indicator shows the length of the stroke.
Safety guards on the hydraulic press brake mean operators don't have to worry about safety issues. Hydraulic press brakes are in compliance with safety regulations at almost any machine shop and factory since they have a high capacity and can be adjusted easily.
After years of running a machine shop, Michael Headingten knows a thing or two about metal fabricating machinery. He knows the inner workings of press brakes, the maximum angle allowances for roll bending machine, and the amount of pressure a hydraulic shear uses to cut 2�� steal. He also knows that Heller products are the best in the market and buys nothing else for his shop.
