Abstract: A press brake, or other machine for bending sheet metal or plate metal, comprises a frame, a bed mounted to the frame, and a ram movably mounted to the frame. An assembly for moving the ram relative to the bed to bend sheets and plates of metal positioned between the ram and bed comprises first and second wedges, and first and second inclined ramp surfaces that the wedges slide relative to when moving in first and second directions relative to the frame to move the ram toward and away from the bed for bending operations. The assembly has an actuator which moves the first and second wedges relative to the ramp surfaces. The first and second wedges are drivingly linked to balance distribution of force across the ram. A Vernier scale assembly is mounted generally horizontally with the ram and wedges, to allow setting a scale component to control switching means to stop downward ram movement at a desired point.

Abstract: A sheet metal bending brake apparatus adapted to make complex bends in a sheet metal workpiece, comprising a frame, a fixed holding bar mounted adjacent of said surface, a movable holding bar mounted on said frame movable between a forward clamping position in opposed clamping relationship with the fixed bar and a rearward and downward position below the plane of the fixed surface, a bending brake element adjacent the fixed jaw adapted to contact sheet metal held between the same, said bending element adapted to rotate 180.degree., or more, around a point adjacent the jaws, the movable holding bar being coordinated with the bending brake to release from the holding position before the bending brake has rotated 180.degree..