Abstract: A control system for controlling the movement of the ram of a press or press brake of the type having one or two main cylinders with pistons operatively attach to the ram. The control system comprises a programmable processor with inputs from a pressure transducer indicating the pressure applied to the one or two pistons and a linear potentiometer for each side of the ram to indicate ram position and levelness. The control system further includes a hydraulic circuit operated by outputs from the processor. The hydraulic circuit comprises a variable volume load sense-controlled pump supplying hydraulic fluid through a speed control assembly to a solenoid-actuated directional valve determining upward and downward movement of the ram. The speed control assembly comprises at least two lines connected to the output line of the pump and to the speed control assembly output line to the directional valve. At least one of the at least two speed control assembly lines is provided with a restricting orifice.

Abstract: An electronic control system for operating the hydraulic cylinders associated with a press brake wherein independent control of each of the hydraulic cylinders is achieved to insure that the cylinders track against a fixed reference to insure more accurate forming of the workpiece. The cylinder tracking is under computer control which also establishes a creep speed slower than the normal forming speed near the point of ram reversal. A plurality of press brake may be operated simultaneously from the same tracking reference.