Abstract: A press brake assembly with a sheet follower with an actuation assembly that allows the sheet follower to follow a downwards bending workpiece. The sheet follow is adjacent to the press brake and is capable of following the workpiece throughout different bends without changing the position of the workpiece. The sheet follower includes a table and rotatable arms attached to the table. The actuation assembly of the sheet follower includes two blocks that is configured to move the rotatable arms that allow the table to follow the bending of the workpiece.

Abstract: A press brake assembly including a crane system and press brake machine for processing a workpiece. The crane system having a workpiece handling mechanism configured to pick and store the workpiece. The crane system allows the crane to move along a plane via longitudinal and lateral rails. The crane also includes multiple swivel points to allow mobility to handle workpieces efficiently. The control system of the press brake machine may control the crane, allowing a single control system to control the press brake assembly.

Abstract: A press brake machine for bending metal having an angle measurement system. The angle measurement system having at least one angle measurement device configured to measure the bend characteristics of the workpiece. The angle measurement device including an actuator, a position sensor, and a contact segment. The actuator of the measurement device is configured to abut the contact segment to the workpiece. The position sensor is configured to send data to a press brake controller to adjust the bending of the workpiece depending on the reading of the angle measurement device.

Abstract: A press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece that includes an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch and a lower beam configured to hold a lower die. A safety latch is disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, and the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity. A pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, and the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin. The safety latch includes a cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece including a movable ram and a support beam. A punch is connected to the ram, and a die is connected to the support beam. The punch and the die are separated by a gap. The ram is configured to be driven towards the support beam to thereby close the gap between the punch and the die and deform the workpiece. The die includes a pair of die members extending in a longitudinal direction separated by a recess having a width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width of the recess is adjustable by moving the die members, which are releasably engaged with the support beam. The die members move horizontally to disengage from the support beam to thereby allow for lateral movement of the die members to adjust the width of the recess.

Abstract: A press brake machine for bending metal having an angle measurement system. The angle measurement system having at least one angle measurement device configured to measure the bend characteristics of the workpiece. The angle measurement device including an actuator, a position sensor, and a contact segment. The actuator of the measurement device is configured to abut the contact segment to the workpiece. The position sensor is configured to send data to a press brake controller to adjust the bending of the workpiece depending on the reading of the angle measurement device.

Abstract: A press brake assembly including a gauge system and press brake machine for processing a workpiece. The gauge system having gauge with a clamp configured to handle the workpiece. The gauge is also capable of changing the tool of the press brake machine. A tool rack is disposed at the ends of a gauge rail for storage of the tools.

Abstract: A press brake assembly including a crane system and press brake machine for processing a workpiece. The crane system having a workpiece handling mechanism configured to pick and store the workpiece. The crane system allows the crane to move along a plane via longitudinal and lateral rails. The crane also includes multiple swivel points to allow mobility to handle workpieces efficiently. The control system of the press brake machine may control the crane, allowing a single control system to control the press brake assembly.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece that includes a movable ram and a support beam. The press brake includes a backgauge that has an arm with a plurality of fingers for grasping the workpiece. The arm is mounted to an arm support that is mounted on a carriage that is mounted on a backgauge support frame. The arm is configured to swing relative to the arm support in a plane perpendicular to the carriage from a position projecting away from one side of the carriage to a position projecting away from the other side of the carriage. The carriage is configured to rotate 180 degrees so that opposite sides of the workpiece may be positioned under the ram to thereby allow for bending operations to be performed on opposite sides of the workpiece without removing the workpiece from the backgauge.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece including a movable ram and a support beam. A punch is connected to the ram, and a die is connected to the support beam. The punch and the die are separated by a gap. The ram is configured to be driven towards the support beam to thereby close the gap between the punch and the die and deform the workpiece. The die includes a pair of die members extending in a longitudinal direction separated by a recess having a width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width of the recess is adjustable by moving the die members, which are releasably engaged with the support beam. The die members move horizontally to disengage from the support beam to thereby allow for lateral movement of the die members to adjust the width of the recess.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece that includes a movable ram and a support beam. The press brake includes a backgauge that has an arm with a plurality of fingers for grasping the workpiece. The arm is mounted to an arm support that is mounted on a carriage that is mounted on a backgauge support frame. The arm is configured to swing relative to the arm support in a plane perpendicular to the carriage from a position projecting away from one side of the carriage to a position projecting away from the other side of the carriage. The carriage is configured to rotate 180 degrees so that opposite sides of the workpiece may be positioned under the ram to thereby allow for bending operations to be performed on opposite sides of the workpiece without removing the workpiece from the backgauge.

Abstract: Two press brake machines each using a single, central hydraulic actuator are provided. The press brake machines are configured to operate separately or in tandem, depending upon a size of a sheet metal workpiece to be deformed. A locking device that may include an upper connecting block and a lower connecting block is provided on each of the at least two press brake machines to allow the machines to interlock when the machines are adjacent to one another and are operating in tandem. The upper connecting block may be “L” shaped to help provide the interlocking. Interlocking of the press brake machines during tandem operation helps prevent distortion that can occur in the upper and lower portions of the ram due to the press brake machine's use of a single, central hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece. The press brake a movable ram and a support beam. A punch is connected to the ram, and a die is connected to the support beam. The punch and the die are separated by a gap and the workpiece is placed in the gap in order to be bent. The ram is configured to be driven towards the support beam to thereby close the gap between the punch and the die. The die includes a pair of die members extending in a longitudinal direction separated by a recess having a width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width of the recess is adjustable by moving the die members. The die members are configured to move vertically to disengage from the support beam to thereby allow for lateral movement of the die members to adjust the width of the recess.

Abstract: A method of bending a sheet of metal using a press brake includes pivoting die holders during the bending operation so bends can be made in opposite directions without having to turn over or flip over the sheet of metal. In the method a first die holder is driven downward toward a second die to thereby create a bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together. The first die holder and the first die are then retracted away from a second die holder and the second die. The die holders are moved, preferably rotated, to a second position in which the first die holder is located over the second die holder. Then the second die holder is driven downward toward the first die to thereby create a second bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together.

Abstract: A method of bending a sheet of metal using a press brake includes pivoting die holders during the bending operation so bends can be made in opposite directions without having to turn over or flip over the sheet of metal. In the method a first die holder is driven downward toward a second die to thereby create a bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together. The first die holder and the first die are then retracted away from a second die holder and the second die. The die holders are moved, preferably rotated, to a second position in which the first die holder is located over the second die holder. Then the second die holder is driven downward toward the first die to thereby create a second bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together.