At Selmach you may have noticed that from time to time we like to dispense a little wisdom (along with our world class ranges of machinery and consumables of course).
It isn’t about the hard sell so much as providing our clients with the right product for their needs at prices that are fair. So, when people ask us why they should invest in a press brake, when there are other options available then we consider that deserves a fair and very good answer.
So why exactly might a press brake present a better option than say, an H-frame press or a folding machine? They all perform a very similar function, so what makes the press brake better? Here are five of the main reasons why we think so:
Material thickness isn’t an issue
One of the main advantages of a press brake is its ability to consistently fold materials that aren’t just thin, but thick too. A CNC press brake will require some input regarding the material itself and the thickness, then the software will automatically compensate the correct tonnage required to do what is needed in an automated process.
Compare that with a folding machine which is only suitable for folding thinner sheets of mild steel up to around 3mm and it starts to become clear that, although a folding machine can be ideal for specific roles such as guttering applications and hemming, it lacks the genuine versatility of your press brake.
Press Brakes come in a wide variety of tonnages, while a 120 tonne machine is one of our most popular capacities. However, if you need to bend thicker more often, you can increase the tonnage significantly to suit your requirements.
A wide range of tooling
Another major advantage of the press brake is the large range of tooling that is available, allowing the forming of deep bends, safe edges and box and pan applications, and again with a CNC press brake, once the data is entered into the on-board PC it becomes an automated and highly accurate process that can be performed with the minimum of specialised training.
Tooling is particularly important if you are thinking of getting a Press Brake for a specific task or job. With the right tooling, you can have your press brake producing the perfect parts, with accurate bends for fast and efficient welding.
Speed and accuracy
These are both areas where a CNC press brake consistently excels, whereas folding machines, even in the most experienced and capable of hands would struggle in high production cycles. Folding machines have their place though, typically in low to medium production cycles where they can easily produce consistent throughput. If accuracy isn’t so much of an issue then the H-frame press can also be an option for those who require large tonnage, for tasks such as folding tread plate, but who also require little in the way of fine precision.
Cost…And thinking ahead
A lot of people voice concerns about the costs involved in purchasing a press brake, as opposed to an H-frame or folding machine. However it is important to also think about volume, speed and the convenience that the automation of a CNC press brake will offer, as well as the benefits to your business of improved accuracy and turnaround times. A press brake may well be an investment that pays for itself sooner rather than later.
Growth
Every business needs it, and the wisest, forward thinking ones may well choose the machinery with the versatility to facilitate it; machinery that comes with options to do more and machinery that is future proof. Bearing those factors in mind and all the other factors above, it might well be the case that a press brake is indeed better than the rest.
To learn more about the Morgan Rushworth press brake range, feel free to drop us a line on +44 (0)1432 346 580, email sales@selmach.com or get in touch via our website.
Article Last Updated 11/11/2024
Published 28th September 2018