Abstract: With a method according to the invention for free bending, a workpiece to be machined, such as a sheet metal plate, is brought into contact with a bending edge of a lower die. A bending punching tool is moved opposite to the lower die, such that the sheet metal plate is bent by the punching tool in terms of generating a predetermined target bending angle across the bending edge. In this case, the achieved bending angle is measured at least after a first bending process and the bending force to be applied and the measuring curve resulting therefrom are determined during the bending process as a function of the traverse path of the bending punching tool.

Abstract: With a method according to the invention for free bending, a workpiece to be machined, such as a sheet metal plate, is brought into contact with a bending edge of a lower die. A bending punching tool is moved opposite to the lower die, such that the sheet metal plate is bent by the punching tool in terms of generating a predetermined target bending angle across the bending edge. In this case, the achieved bending angle is measured at least after a first bending process and the bending force to be applied and the measuring curve resulting therefrom are determined during the bending process as a function of the traverse path of the bending punching tool.