“What is sheet metal bending process?” If we start with the question; it is a process applied to give the metal sheets the desired shape and bring them to the angles. Special designed machines such as abkant bending, hydraulic bending or cylinder bending, profile bending, taper bending, lama bending and pipe bending machines are mostly used during this process. The bending process of a metal sheet consists of 3 main stages:

1. Cutting: Sheet metal is cut according to the desired dimensions. At this stage, many methods are applied, such as laser cutting and plasma cutting.

2. Bending: Sheet metal is bent according to the desired angles using bending machines. These machines apply high pressure to bend the metal.

3. Forming: After bending, the metal sheet is shaped.

What Does a Metal Sheet Bending Machine Do?

A metal bending machine is an equipment used for the process of bending metal sheets or rods into desired shapes and angles. These machines are used by applying force to change the shape of the metal and obtain the desired form, so that the forming process takes place without changing the volume of the metal. The fields of use of metal bending machines are quite wide and they are used in many industries from automotive to construction, furniture production to aviation sector. Metal processing machines have many functions, such as efficiency, versatility, safety.

These machines are widely used in iron and steel products, decorative manufacturing, steel structures and mechanical engineering. It also takes into account the bending angle and the share of bending (to what extent the material can bend without breaking), which are critical for changing the shape of the metal, while maintaining the material thickness during the metal bending process. In this way, metal bending machines play an important role in the production of complex metal parts and increase the efficiency of industrial production processes.

What Machine is Used To Bend Sheet Metal?

Before we look at what bending machines and types are used for sheet metal bending, we can first discuss the functions of these machines. Pipe and profile bending is an important metalworking method used to bend metal sheets into the desired shapes and angles. This process is usually carried out using specially designed machines such as press brakes, folding sheet metal machines, V-bending machines, pneumatic impact presses and three-roller bending machines. Here are some details of these bending machines:

1- Press Brake Presses: These are machines that allow sheet metal to be bent at a certain angle. It is used to achieve precise bends and is usually a fast and efficient process.

2- Folding Sheet Metal Machines: These machines perform the bending process by folding the sheet metal at a specific angle. They are ideal for thin sheets of metal and can usually be used with simple tools.

3- V-Bending Machines: A method of bending sheet metal using a V-shaped punch and die. This technique aims to achieve the ideal bend by repeated folding, especially for thick workpieces.

4- Pneumatic Impact Presses: Used for sheet metal skirt bending, these machines change the shape of the metal by applying impact under high pressure.

5- 3 Roll Plate Bending Machines: 3 Roll Plate bending machines are used to produce workpieces with maximum bending radius. The metal sheet is placed between three cross-fixed rollers and bending is performed.

6- CNC Controlled Sheet Metal Bending Machines

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology is shaping the future of metalworking machinery. Sheet metal bending machines also benefit greatly from this technology. CNC-controlled sheet metal bending machines are useful for precise and repeatable bending operations. By setting parameters via the computer interface, operators can perform bending operations with millimeter precision, ensuring the same quality results every time.

7- Automatic Adjustable Flanging Systems

Flanging is the process of joining metal sheets by bending their edges. Today, sheet metal bending machines are equipped with automatic adjustable flanging systems. These systems can be adjusted automatically according to different material thicknesses and flange angles. Thus, fast and accurate flanging operations can be performed without the need for manual adjustments.

These machines are important tools used in many different fields from the construction industry to the automotive industry. The selection of the machines used in sheet metal bending is based on the material, size and precision requirements of the workpiece. Each type of machine ensures accurate bending of workpieces with different bending methods and advantages.

In conclusion, sheet metal bending machines are technologies that are shaping the future of the metalworking industry and are part of the smart manufacturing approach brought about by industry 4.0. These machines increase the competitiveness of the machinery industry by making production processes more efficient, fast and flexible.