CNC press brakes have surely revolutionized the manufacturing industry. When talking about sheet metal processing, CNC press brakes have played a vital role in the overall efficiency of the process. May it be product quality or precision, this cornerstone technology has made some valuable advancements. Due to such remarkable technology available in the market, the production rate has been boosted in the past years, and there was no other way either, consumerism is everywhere. To cater to the needs, such advancements become mandatory.
Here’s what you need to know about CNC press brake machines and the effect of hydraulic systems on their performance;
What is a CNC hydraulic press brake machine?
It is a type of press brake machine that has an integration of a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) system. CNC technology helps the machine to efficiently process metal sheets, either bending or manipulating them according to the requirements. A CNC machine can be powered by either an electrical or hydraulic system. In CNC hydraulic press brake machines, the principles of hydraulics are applied to apply a significant amount of force to shape metal.
When it comes to the structure of this machine, two synchronized hydraulic cylinders are placed on the C-frames and are responsible for moving the upper beam. The operations are powered by the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid pressure, this is the reason you’ll see better accuracy with this machine in terms of bending metal pieces. Other important components of this machine are a workbench, a clamping plate, and a bracket.
Moreover, there are components such as machine operation controls that allow the operator to specify the pressure and bending angles that are needed. Next in line is a hydraulic fluid which is responsible for transmitting the pressure in the system.
How does a CNC hydraulic press brake operate?
To understand how beneficial a hydraulic system is for CNC press brakes, we need to get an insight into the operations. There are three main stages of the operations, loading material, bending, and unloading the final product. First, the operator loads the sheet metal and uses the die set to align the sheet on the machine.
Thanks to computer technology, this process has become much easier. Once the material is properly aligned, the operator starts the bending process and the machine starts applying force, leading to pressing the sheet metal. The operator precisely controls the speed and force needed to carry out the process as proper control over these factors is vital to attain the perfect bends of the sheet metal.
How is hydraulic press brake different from other press brakes?
The mechanism to apply force on the sheet metal is usually different for each brake, and that also determines the efficiency and the accuracy of the process as well. A typical mechanical press brake works using a crank mechanism, and on the other hand, an electric press brake relies on the electric motor installed in the machine. However, hydraulic pumps play a central role in providing the force in a hydraulic press brake.
Synchronized hydraulic cylinders are utilized to put force on the material to get the required shape. As the force is derived from a hydraulic system, it makes the process smoother and gives better control over the operation, and ultimately improved accuracy.
Advantages of hydraulic system
Here are the effects of the hydraulic system on the CNC press brake machine’s performance;
Better Precision and Safety
Bending operations require high precision, as you can’t hamper the final product. Such machines provide better control over the motion of the ram. Not only this, you get better speed and force to make the final product better in quality. As operators rely on computer controls, there’s an obvious improvement in the safety of the process. Very few operational errors are experienced by using hydraulic systems in the CNC press brakes. To tackle the risk of accidents, these machines are also equipped with safety devices.
Versatility and High Productivity
Due to their excessive force, hydraulic press brakes can handle a variety of metals. Sheet metals with different thicknesses and tonnages can be handled by this press brake. Tons of shapes can be achieved using these brakes as well. It is one of the main reasons that automotive, aerospace and even construction industries are taking full benefit of this technology.
Moreover, it has high efficiency in the operations which leads to better productivity. These press brakes can work remarkably for a longer period.
Conclusion
The ease of operation given by the hydraulic CNC press brake is one of its most appealing features. Due to hydraulic systems, less maintenance is required. The best part about using these brakes is less operating cost. There are unnumbered benefits of CNC press brakes, even industries with very sensitive operations such as the shipbuilding industry also use hydraulic CNC press brake machine.
