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Discovering the limits of press brake tooling

One of the most important aspects of press brake forming is tooling selection. What are the tools capable of? What kinds of loads can they withstand?

Image
Figure 1:
A standard straight press brake punch withstands more tonnage per foot than the press brake itself withstands.

Some press brake tooling manufacturers give a maximum allowable tonnage per foot for their tooling; others do not. This author often has recommended that fabricators never exceed the manufacturer's maximum allowable tonnage, but if the tooling isn't rated, how does the user know how much tonnage is too much?

Straight Punch Tonnage

Exactly how much tonnage per foot a given tool will take depends on material type, tool geometry, and tool hardness, but estimating the maximum allowable tonnage for that tool is possible. As an example, a standard straight press brake punch (see Figure 1) will withstand far more tonnage per foot (meter) than the press brake itself can withstand.

The maximum tonnage that a press brake can withstand safely can be stated as a rule of thumb: Never apply full machine tonnage over a length less than 60 percent of the distance between the side frames (see Figure 2).

For example, regardless of the machine's full tonnage rating, if the bed is 10 feet between the side frames, a full load could be applied uniformly only to forming lengths of 6 feet or more. Using full tonnage over a shorter length would cause a small section to be overloaded, resulting in some degree of upset to the bed, ram, and tooling.

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Figure 2:
Full machine tonnage should not be applied over a length less than 60 percent of the distance between the side frames.

Considering all the different variables such as material type and geometry, predicting the maximum tonnage capacity for a given tool is difficult. On the other hand, specialty tooling aside, a straight punch with a matched standard die can withstand greater tonnage than it would take for a machine upset (permanent deformation).

For a 250-ton press brake with 14 feet between the side frames as an average with a 60 percent minimum working area for full tonnage (avoiding upset), maximum tonnage is calculated as follows:

60% x 14 feet = 0.60 x 14 feet = 8.4 feet
250 tons ÷ 8.4 feet = 29.76 tons per foot
When rounded up, the maximum tonnage per foot under full load is 30 U.S. tons per foot. To find the equivalent metric tons, use 1.102 for the conversion factor:
U.S. tons ÷ 1.102 = metric tons
The maximum machine tonnage capacity can be expressed as:
Tonnage/(Distance between the side frames x 0.60)

Assuming the same relationship of press brake tonnage to side frame length, 30 tons per foot is the maximum pressure that ever can be applied to tooling to avoid damage to the press brake for working bend lengths less than 60 percent of the side frame distance. Tonnage capabilities also should be halved in sectionalized tooling to avoid spot damage caused by overtonnage.

Gooseneck Punch and V-die Tonnage

Although there are variations, standard throat depths for gooseneck punches generally begin with about 20 percent of the total tool width (thickness) past center being removed (see Figure 3). This leaves only 30 percent of the total tool body for transferring the tonnage to the bend.

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Figure 3:
Standard throat depths for gooseneck punches generally begin with about 20 percent of total width past center being removed.

A 70 percent (20 percent past center) throat depth produces a 30 percent drop in tonnage capacity from that of a straight tool. For any increase in throat depth there will be a corresponding decrease in tool capacity (see Figure 4).

Throat Depth
Tool Capacity
(Percent)
Tons per Foot
Straight Tool
(No Throat)
10030
707021
755015
80309
85206
Fig. 4
When throat depth is increased, tool capacity decreases correspondingly.

V-die Tonnage

For a V die, as long as the same principles are applied, the maximum tonnage is 30 tons per foot under maximum load (half that tonnage per foot for a sectionalized set). Acute tooling maximums also should be halved to 15 tons or less to avoid splitting the die or damaging the press brake.

Calculating Total Forming Tonnage

Forming tonnage can be computed quickly and accurately. Charts can be inaccurate (whether for bend deductions or tonnage) because they do not take into account forming methods or the types of bends being performed. Just like bend deductions, the tonnage can be predicted every time.

Tonnage per inch for 60,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) mild steel can be expressed as:


Tons per Inch = (575 x material thickness2
x___________________________________
Die Width
)÷ 12
This is the pressure required to bend a 1-inch piece of mild steel with a 60,000-PSI tensile strength in the bottom die width that the user has selected. The total tonnage required can be found by multiplying this number by the number of inches in a given bend. Does the required tonnage exceed the capabilities of the tool to withstand the force? The user must either consult the tooling fact sheet to determine the tonnage per inch that the tool will handle or calculate it manually. The maximum tooling tonnage per inch multiplied by the number of inches to be formed equals total allowable tonnage for that particular tool. For example, a 250-ton brake should never exceed 30 U.S. tons. The material has an effect on the required tonnage. Because of variances in the tensile strength of various materials, the formula for pressure is incomplete. As in most cases, the basic formula is grounded in the tensile strength of cold-rolled steel, or about 60,000 PSI.

To discuss the factors used in the following formulas, a baseline reference is required. In this instance, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1035, the most common type of cold-rolled steel used, has a value of 1. The factors, or multipliers, for various materials (M) are listed here. For any material type that has not been given a factor, a comparison of tensile strengths allows an educated guess of its factor value:

  • 304 stainless = 1.4 to 6
  • Aluminum 6061 T6 = 1.28
  • Cold-rolled steel = 1.00
  • Aluminum 5052 H32 = 0.50
In developing a tonnage value, the forming process (P) is the last aspect requiring a factor. These factors are:
  • Air form = 1 (baseline factor)
  • Bottom bending = 1.5 to 5
  • Coining = 10 times and greater
Consider the following bending example:
  • Material type = 304 stainless steel; the material factor (M) = 1.4
  • Material thickness = 0.050
  • Die width = 0.236
  • Bottom bending = 1.5 to 5
Using the formula to find tons per inch yields the following:
Tons per Inch = (575 x Material Thickness2
x___________________________________
Die Width
)÷ 12 x M x P
Tons per Inch = (575 x 0.0502
x___________________________________
0.236
)÷ 12 x 1.4 x 5
Tons per Inch = 3.5531

To find the total tonnage needed, multiply the tons per inch by the part length in inches:

Total Tonnage = Tons per Inch x Part Length
Total Tonnage = 3.5531 x 6.375 in.
Total Tonnage = 22.65 tons

For bend lengths of 60 percent or greater of the bed between the side frames, 22.65 is an acceptable applied tonnage if the maximum applied tooling tonnage is 30 tons per foot. At the same time, if sectionalized tooling or shorter pieces of tooling are used (less than 60 percent of the bed), 22.65 tons is an unacceptable pressure.

Dividing that final tonnage number by 12 determines the allowable tonnage per inch the tool will handle. Multiplying the answer by the total bend length will provide the maximum allowable tonnage over the bend length. This value must be greater than the required tonnage value. Note that the maximum required tonnage doesn't happen all at once; it builds up along a curve (see Figure 5). The graph shows that 80 percent of the total tonnage is developed in the first 20 degrees of bend angle.

Even with a small bend angle, the pressure on the tooling and equipment can be great.

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Figure 5
The bending pressure doesn't build up gradually or evenly. The press brake develops most of the bending force in the early stages of the bend.

Conclusion

Even if the manufacturer does not rate a tool for the tonnage it can handle, the tooling user can make an educated guess at what it should be.

For both personal safety and the longevity of the press brake, a general deflection factor for minimum tooling length at maximum tonnage application of 60 percent can be used in the formula. For more accuracy, the user should ask the press brake's manufacturer to explain how the deflection of a given machine is rated and then substitute those values in the formula.

About the Author
ASMA LLC

Steve Benson

2952 Doaks Ferry Road N.W.

Salem, OR 97301-4468

503-399-7514

Steve Benson is a member and former chair of the Precision Sheet Metal Technology Council of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association. He is the president of ASMA LLC and conducts FMA’s Precision Press Brake Certificate Program, which is held at locations across the country.