F093: Redefining Bending: How New Press Brake Technology Optimizes Performance, Reduces Cost, and Improves Accuracy

Competition in the fabrication industry is intense. Competitors are getting bigger, better and more sophisticated in their manufacturing. In the fabrication world, if you are not getting better, you are falling behind and losing your market share. Drawing on my 40 years of industrial experience in metal fabrication, my goal is to show how you can be more competitive by adding many, if not all, of the modern technologies that we will discuss. First is a short review of press brakes from their origins to the present day. We will then focus on today's leading-edge technology including intelligent controls, automatic setup features, advanced software, precision tooling, automatic tool changing, robotic forming and more. Applying these technologies will dramatically reduce setup times, improve quality, increase productivity and be less reliant on operator skill level. The result is a better understanding of how to apply these technologies in your shop.