What Is Press Brake Tonnage?

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Publish Date: May 10, 2022

Press brakes process sheet metal by applying force to the punches and die.

Press brake tonnage refers to the maximum bending force or bending capacity required to bend a metal plate using a press brake.

When selecting a press brake, the most important thing is to determine the size of the press brake according to the bending force and total bending length.

The tonnage of the press brake determines the maximum force it can exert on the metal plate to achieve precise bending angles.

Additionally, the actual working tonnage cannot exceed the press brake's working capacity and the die's maximum bearing capacity.

Choosing the appropriate tonnage can avoid common problems such as tool damage, inaccurate bending, and insufficient force to complete the required bending.

The actual tonnage is affected by many factors, such as bending radius, bending method, material thickness, material tensile strength, die ratio, friction between the material and die, the rolling direction of the steel, work hardening, and so on.

Generally speaking, the thicker and harder the sheet metal is bent, the higher the working tonnage. Conversely, the thinner the sheet metal, the lower the tonnage required.

press brake tonnage

Understanding Press Brakes

A press brake is a metal processing machine used to bend and shape metal sheets into specific shapes, utilizing force and tools to achieve the desired effect.

The force exerted by the press brake on the material is measured in tonnage, which plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate and consistent bending.

Tonnage can be defined as the maximum force that a bending machine can exert to form a metal plate, usually expressed in tons per foot or kilonewtons per meter.

Each press brake has a different threshold or rating for the maximum force it can generate, and selecting the appropriate tonnage for each application to avoid damage to the machine, tools, or materials is crucial.

The calculation of the press brake tonnage is mainly based on factors such as metal plate thickness, bending length, and V-shaped opening width.

The press brake tonnage calculator can be used to determine the force required for a specific task.

It is crucial to understand the various units of measurement used to measure tonnage capacity, as the calculation methods may vary.

The example formula for tonnage calculation is based on AISI 1035 cold-rolled steel with a tensile strength of 60000 PSI.

In addition to tonnage, other factors such as mold angle, K-factor, and tool compatibility also play an important role in achieving precise and smooth bending.

When setting up and operating the bending machine, it is necessary to consider these factors to ensure consistent results and maintain the efficiency of the bending process.

There are multiple methods for measuring the tonnage of the press brake, and understanding the most commonly used measurement units for measuring tonnage capacity is a crucial first step.

The tonnage of the press brake can be calculated based on a formula that includes factors such as material thickness, bending length, and V-shape die opening width.

This formula can be used in conjunction with tonnage charts or calculators, which help estimate the bending force required to achieve bending.

Select the appropriate press brake tonnage to prevent tool damage or excessive force, which can damage the worktable or ram.

The sinking tonnage limit refers to the time required to embed the punch into the base or ram of the press brake, taking into account the "power flow" through the tool and the maximum tonnage per foot or inch of load.

Factors that Influence Press Brake Tonnage

Bending Method

Different metal bending methods require different tonnage.

For example, in air bending, the tonnage can be increased or decreased by changing the die opening width.

The bending radius affects the opening width of the die. In this case, a method factor must be added to the formula.

When using the bottom bending and coining methods, the required tonnage is higher than that of air bending.

If the tonnage for bottom bending is calculated, the tonnage per inch of air bending needs to be multiplied by at least five times.

If coining is used, even more tonnage may be required than for bottom bending.

Die Width

We have learned that in air bending, the tonnage required decreases as the die opening size increases and increases as the opening size decrease.

This is because the width of the die opening determines the internal bending radius, and a smaller die radius requires more tonnage.

In air bending, the die ratio is typically 8:1, meaning that the opening distance of the die is eight times the material thickness.

At this point, the material thickness is equal to the internal bending radius.

Friction and Speed

In air bending, the punch needs to pass over the opening of the bottom die to bend the sheet metal.

If the surface of the metal plate is not lubricated, the friction between the die and the sheet metal will increase, requiring more tonnage to bend the sheet metal and reducing the springback of the material.

Conversely, if the sheet metal surface is smooth and lubricated, the friction between the die and the sheet metal will be reduced, resulting in lower tonnage required for bending the sheet metal.

However, this will increase the springback of the sheet metal.

The tonnage required is also affected by the bending speed. As the bending speed increases, the tonnage required decreases.

Increasing the speed can also reduce the friction between the die and the sheet metal, but this will also increase the springback of the sheet metal.

Material Thickness, Tensile strength, and Bending Length

Tonnage is the force applied by the press brake to the metal plate.

Therefore, the range of a bending force is determined by the thickness and tensile strength of the sheet metal being bent.

One factor is the type of bending material.

Different materials have different tensile strengths, which directly affect the amount of force required to bend them.

For example, stainless steel typically requires more tonnage than mild steel or aluminum.

Tensile strength refers to the maximum stress that a material can bear under a steady load.

If this stress is applied and maintained, the material will eventually break.

Typical tensile strengths of some materials

Another important factor is the thickness of the metal plate. The greater the thickness of the material, the greater the tonnage required, and vice versa.

The bending length of the press brake workbench is the maximum length that the metal plate can be bent.

The bending length of the press brake should be slightly longer than the material to be bent.

If the length of the workbench is incorrect, the die or other components may be damaged.

The bending load calculator can help determine the required tonnage based on the thickness of the material and other factors, such as bending length and V-shaped opening width.

Tooling Factor

The press brake punch is also a factor to be considered. These punches also have load limits.

Right-angle Vee punches can bear a large tonnage load.

Due to the slight angle and fewer materials used in the manufacture of acute angle dies, such as gooseneck dies, they are not inclined to withstand heavy loads.

When using different dies, their maximum bending force must not be exceeded.

In addition, the mold radius and bending radius also affect the tonnage requirements.

A larger mold radius may result in an increase in the required bending force.

Similarly, larger bending radii may result in higher tonnage requirements.

The ratio between the width of the mold opening and the thickness of the material is another factor that needs to be considered.

For thinner materials, it is recommended to use a lower mold ratio (e.g. 6 to 1).

Thicker materials may require a higher mold ratio (such as 10 to 1 or 12 to 1) to reduce bending force and maintain the application within the capacity of the bending machine.

How To Determine Press Brake Tonnage?

Press brake tonnage can be determined by a press brake tonnage chart.

Press brake tonnage chart

VBRS
0.50.60.811.21.522.533.544.5568101214
4314159
641273969108
861295281117
107223426594146
1282355478122217
141024667104186290
161135991163254
1813381144226325
20143130203293398
24174108169244332433
28205145209284371470
32235127183249325411508
36256163221289366451
40287199260329406585
45328177231293361520
50358208263325468832
55399239295425756
6042102713906931083
6546112503606401000
704912334594929
8057132935208131170
90641546272210401416
10071174166509361274
12085205427801062

Note:

  • The unit of the press brake tonnage in the table is KN
  • The above data is based on bending 1-meter metal sheet with tensile strength 450N/mm²

The tonnage in this table is based on the material tensile strength of σb=450N/mm2.

The value in the table is the bending force when the length of the metal plate is 1m.

Where:

  • P=Bending force
  • S=Thickness of metal plate
  • V=V opening of the bottom die
  • B=Min bending flange R=Inside radius

For example, if S=5mm, V=40(the width of the V die opening is 8-10 times the thickness of the sheet), we can see the value in the chart is 400.

From the chart, we can find that bending a 5mm thick and 1m long sheet metal, the tonnage of the press brake is 400KN.

Press brake tonnage also can be calculated by the tonnage calculation formula:

P=650S²L/V (σb=450N/mm²)

Where:

  • P: Bending Force(Kn)
  • S: Thickness of the Plate (mm)
  • L: Width of the Plate (mm)
  • V: V-Opening of the Bottom Die(mm)

The calculation result of this formula is approximately equal to the value in the tonnage chart.

When the bending materials are different, use the coefficients in the following table to multiply the calculated results.

You can use the tonnage calculator below to obtain the results directly.

No matter which method you choose to determine the tonnage, make sure not to exceed the tonnage range of the machines and dies.

Using the wrong tonnage can damage the die or working components.

In the worst case, it can cause deformation of the machine and even jeopardize the safety of the bending operators.

Choosing the Correct Press Brake

When choosing a press brake, it is important to consider the type of material to be bent, as well as its specifications, length, and processing method.

These factors will affect the tonnage and dimensions required for your specific project.

It is crucial to determine the correct tonnage of the press brake as it affects the overall performance and bending capacity of the machine.

To calculate the appropriate tonnage, you can use the press brake tonnage calculator, which takes into account the thickness of the metal plate, bending length, and recommended V-shape die opening width.

Another important factor in choosing a press brake is the length of the workpiece. The required length will determine the size of the machine you need.

The length of the workpiece should not exceed the maximum length of the machine to ensure an efficient and accurate bending process.

Finally, it is necessary to consider the machine tonnage limit related to the distance between the side frames.

Exceeding the centerline load limit may result in machine damage or performance damage.

Conclusion

In short, the tonnage of a press brake refers to the maximum bending force or bending capacity of the press brake during the metal bending process.

Before each bending, it is very important to determine the tonnage and load limit of the press brake.

The press brake under excessive load will lead to inaccurate bending, damage to the machine, and even endanger the safety of the operator.

For example, as a result of bending and deformation of the ram and worktable, the workpiece may spring up.

Therefore, before bending, you need to check or calculate tonnage and load limits.

It is crucial to understand the various methods for measuring the tonnage capacity of the bending machine, as this helps the operator make informed decisions and avoid interference situations that may damage the machine.

There are available tools, such as a press brake tonnage calculator, that can help users determine the appropriate bending force for a specific task.

The correct selection and use of press brake tools, as well as a thorough understanding of tonnage ratings and calculations, contribute to achieving a smooth and efficient bending process.

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