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Have you ever wondered how steel sheets are bent and shaped into various form? What tools and machines are used to bend metal sheets? In the world of steel fabrication and manufacturing, a sheet bending machine plays a critical role in bending steel and other metals into desired forms. They are indispensable whether for bending metal into intricate automobile components or regular metal brackets.
Let’s take a closer look at steel sheet bending machines – its different types, uses, applications, and how to find the right bending machine for your industrial project.
What is a sheet bending machine?
We first try to understand the meaning of sheet bending machine.
These are machines which are used to apply pressure/force on metal sheets (e.g., steel sheets) to mold and bend them into desired shapes (usually right angle bends or curved folds). The Press brake is the most common form of metal bending machine.
These machines can be manual or automatic and used as per the application. The manual machines are used for simpler bending requirements, whereas the automatic versions (i.e., CNC – Computer Numerically Controlled) are used where precision and accuracy are paramount with minimal room for errors.
Components of a sheet bending machine:
A bending machine usually comes with the following component:
- Frame: Which is the central structure to support other components
- Bed: A flat surface on which the metal sheet is placed usually with a V-shaped groove
- Punch: This is the tool that applies pressure on the sheets for bending
- Tools: The back gauge and other basic tools for clamping to hold the metal and dies
- Bending rollers: To deform and bend the metal sheets
In addition to these, machines also have a hydraulic system, automatic components for changing tools, a control panel to monitor pressure on metals, and required safety elements.
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What are the different types of sheet bending machines?
Now that we understand what’s a sheet bending machine, let’s take a look at its different types each designed to meet distinct requirements of metal shaping. As mentioned previously, Press brake is the most common metal bending machine used to give functional forms to metal sheets.
- Press brake: Here a set of varying dies are used to bend sheets into numerous angles and shapes. They are versatile and precise and ideal for intricate work.
- Roll bending machines: These are the preferred option when flat sheets have to be curved and shaped into cylinders, tubes and cones. The rollers used in the process results in creating smooth, circular shapes.
- Panel benders: Usually automated to maintain consistency, precision, and efficiency, these are usually used for bending large, flat panels. It’s fast and makes minimum errors, making it the preferred choice when working with large volumes.
- CNC benders: Technologically advanced, these computer-controlled bending systems are apt when precision and accuracy is vital. These machines can perform complex and repetitive tasks, adapt to unique specifications, and allow design innovation and automation in metalwork.
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How does a sheet bending machine work?
If you are venturing into manufacturing or metal works, it’s vital that you understand how a sheet bending machine works.
The different types of machines, based on the process of operation, deforms metal sheets precisely, to give it its desired form. Here are some of the key steps involved in understanding the operation process:
Selecting the metal sheet:
All metals have specific properties that determines how it will function. The mechanical properties of steel makes it weldable, malleable, and ductile. As such, the first step to using a bending machine is to select the right metal sheet for the machine.
Commonly used metal sheets include stainless steel, mild steel, galvanised steel, aluminium (5052), and copper.
Prepare the machine:
This involves selecting the right die and tool to deform/bend the metal sheet as required. This is required to ensure that when force beyond its yield strength is applied on the sheet, it bends without fracturing.
Set parameters:
Once the basics are set, the parameters or specifications have to be input into the machine. This is a critical step as the outcome will be the impacted by the inputs provided. Details on the bending angle, degree of force, and the back gauge position have to be specified.
Ensure that you keep the specifications within the permissible bending allowance so that there’s no metal breakage during stretching or pulling.
In the case of using CNC bending machines, digital designs have to be set to ensure consistency across all sets.
Bending in action:
Once all the hygiene requirements are fulfilled, the next step is to place the steel sheets, on the machine bed against the gauge. The press brake (punch) or bending beam is lowered on the sheet placed around the die, creating the desired bend. The level of accuracy is determined by the parameters set previously.
Note – In manual and semi-automatic machines, operators have to manually control the process. However, in computer-controlled or automatic machines, minimum human intervention is required.
Quality check and inspection:
Once the sheet bending process is complete, the operator inspects the final workpiece and verifies it against the set parameters and project requirements. This ensures that every sheet is bent as per size and angle specifications.
For each workpiece to be as per specifications, there’s need for the machine’s mechanical advancement and the expertise of the operator. What’s also required is a thorough understanding of how each sheet bending machine works, the dies and tools, the right bending technique, and choice of metal.
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Top sheet bending manufacturers in India
India, over the years has emerged into an automobile and manufacturing sector hub and has witnessed the birth of several home-grown sheet bending machine manufacturers. These manufacturers are innovative and uphold quality and offer machines that are a blend of modern technology and craftsmanship.
Some of the notable brands (domestic and international) for metal sheet machine manufacturing are:
- Rajesh Machines (India) LLP
- Jeet Machine Tools Corporation (JMTC)
- Bhavya Machine Tools
- Pathak Machine Tools
- Rudraksh Engineering
- Senfeng
Sheet bending machine prices in India
If you are looking at buying a sheet bending machine, it’s recommended to buy from a leading manufacturer. Since the quality of the machine will directly impact the degree of bending precision, it’s recommended not to compromise on quality.
Listed below are sheet bending machine prices, for your reference. Factors such as brand, bending material, grade, and various other factors impact prices.
Note: Prices are for reference and subject to change at any time. All buyers must check with the manufacturer or dealer for final prices. These prices are a compilation of the bending machine rates offered by manufacturers listed in the above section. For more details, check the brand’s website.
Type of metal sheet bending machine | Approximate price range | Material/Bending Material |
Metal sheet bending rolling machine (manual) | ₹22,000 onwards | – |
Hydraulic sheet bending machine (semi-automatic) | ₹3,00,000 onwards | Mild steel |
SS Metal sheet bending machine (manual, press brake) | ₹71,500 onwards | Stainless steel |
Metal sheet bending machine (semi-automatic) | ₹1,75,000 onwards | Steel, aluminium, iron |
Iron Press Break machine (manual) | ₹71,500 onwards | Iron |
PLC bending machine (automatic, electric, industrial) | ₹6,00,000 onwards | Mild Steel |
MS Metal sheet bending machine (automatic, industrial) | ₹4,85,000 – ₹5,00,000 onwards | Mild Steel |
CNF Bending machine (automatic, hydraulic) | ₹15,00,000 onwards | Mild Steel |
NC Sheet bending machine (automatic, industrial) | ₹14,50,000 onwards | Steel, aluminium, copper |
Sohini is a seasoned content writer with 12 years’ experience in developing marketing and business content across multiple formats. At Tata nexarc, she leverages her skills in crafting curated content on the Indian MSME sector, steel procurement, and logistics. In her personal time, she enjoys reading fiction and being up-to-date on trends in digital marketing and the Indian business ecosystem.