Press Brake - Dies

Dies

Press brakes can be used for many different forming jobs with the right die design. Types of dies include:

• V-dies—the most common type of die. The bottom dies can be made with different-sized die openings to handle a variety of materials and bend angles.
• Rotary bending dies—a cylindrical shape with an 88-degree V-notch cut along its axis is seated in the "saddle" of the punch. The die is an anvil over which the rocker bends the sheet.
• 90 degree dies—largely used for bottoming operations. The die opening dimension depends on material thickness.
• Acute angle (air-bending) dies—used in air bending, these can actually be used to produce acute, 90 degree, and obtuse angles by varying how deeply the punch enters the die by adjusting the ram.
• Gooseneck (return-flanging) dies—The punch is designed to allow for clearance of already formed flanges
• Offset dies—a combination punch and die set that bends two angles in one stroke to produce a Z shape.
• Hemming dies—two-stage dies combining an acute angle die with a flattening tool.
• Seaming dies—There are a number of ways to build dies to produce seams in sheets and tubes.
• Radius dies—A radiused bend can be produced by a rounded punch. The bottom die may be a V-die or may include a spring pad or rubber pad to form the bottom of the die.
• Beading dies—A bead or a "stopped rib" may be a feature that stiffens the resulting part. The punch has a rounded head with flat shoulders on each side of the bead. The bottom die is the inverse of the punch.
• Curling dies—The die forms a curled or coiled edge on the sheet.
• Tube- and pipe-forming dies—a first operation bends the edges of the sheet to make the piece roll up. Then a die similar to a curling die causes the tube to be formed. Larger tubes are formed over a mandrel.
• Four-way die blocks—A single die block may have a V machined into each of four sides for ease of changeover of small jobs.
• Channel-forming dies—A punch can be pressed into a die to form two angles at the bottom of the sheet, forming an angular channel.
• U-bend dies—Similar to channel forming, but with a rounded bottom. Springback may be a problem and a means may need to be provided for countering it.
• Box-forming dies—While a box may be formed by simple angle bends on each side, the different side lengths of a rectangular box must be accommodated by building the punch in sections. The punch also needs to be high enough to accommodate the height of the resulting box's sides.
• Corrugating dies—Such dies have a wavy surface and may involve spring-loaded punch elements.
• Multiple-bend dies—A die set may be built in the shape of the desired profile and form several bends on a single stroke of the press.
• Rocker-type dies—A rocker insert in the punch may allow for some side-to-side motion, in addition to the up-and-down motion of the press.