Abstract: A centerless sheet metal bending machine is provided for forming cleats in sheet metal. The machine includes a housing having a table upon which a piece of sheet metal can be supported. The housing has a mouth through which the sheet metal can be extended and a gap between an end of the table and the mouth. The machine includes a clamping assembly for holding said sheet metal in place and a bending assembly for forming bends (cleats) in the sheet metal. The clamping assembly comprises a hold down bar and a table bar having a clamping surface. The table bar is link driven between an open position in which the clamping surface of the table bar is spaced from the hold down bar and a closed position in which the table bar clamping surface is positioned beneath the hold down bar. The bending assembly comprising a bending bar mounted on a gear segment which rides in a curved track.

Abstract: A center-less sheet metal bending machine is provided to form cheek bends in a piece of sheet metal. The bending machine includes a housing having a mouth and a table adjacent the housing mouth. A clamping mechanism is provided to hold the sheet metal in place during a bending operation, and a bending mechanism is provided to form a cheek bend in the sheet metal. The clamping mechanism includes a toggle or link driven anvil which is movable between a raised and a lowered position. The bending mechanism includes an elongate bending bar which is mounted in the housing for rotation between a start position and a finished position. In the start position, a forward edge of the bending bar is proximate a rear edge of the anvil. The bending bar is pulled rearwardly and upwardly to rotate it from its start to its finished position to form a bend in a piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A press brake machine has a movable ram, a fixed bed, a drive for moving the ram toward and away from the bed, and a control system which controls movement of the ram. The control system includes an emitter which emits a beam of light and a detector assembly which detects an interruption of the light beam. The detector assembly includes two sensors and a beam splitter at which the light is directed. The sensors are connected in series such that if either or both of the sensors detect that the light beam is interrupted, a signal is sent to the drive to open the ram. The press is provided with a reset switch which is closed when the ram is moved to an open position. The reset switch is connected and operable such that the press brake cannot be reset if the light beam is interrupted.