If you’ve been looking into pressing and punching machines for your business needs, or if you’re already an avid user of punch presses, you’ve probably also heard of a press brake.
While punch presses and press brakes are very different machines, serving different purposes, it is easy to get the two confused, given their usefulness in manipulating similar materials like sheet metal.
At Cambridge Dynamics, we’re experts in all things involving presses and have years of experience in press machine maintenance, automation, production, and more.
So, if you’re unsure of the differences between punch presses and press brakes and their specific applications, here is some information you may find useful.
What is a CNC punch press machine?
A punch press is a type of forming press that combines mechanical force, a hydraulic-powered ram, and a durable, stationary die to produce holes or different shapes in raw material (typically sheet metal).
The hydraulic ram forces its way into the material, while the die offers resistance on the other side, resulting in the material being pierced or shaped in a specific way.
These sheet metals and pieces can then be used in countless applications across a wide range of industries, including industrial manufacturing, automotive production, electrical components, and many more.
While smaller mechanical punch presses can be operated by hand to manually punch holes, much larger punch presses often utilise CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology. CNC-controlled punch presses can be programmed using software to punch materials automatically, to the same desired shape and level of accuracy every time.
While most CNC punch presses are capable of producing high-quality cuts and shapes, there are a few factors that can affect the final finish, including:
- The type of metal being punched
- The thickness of the metal (it’s easier to achieve a neater finish on thin metal)
- The amount of force the punch press can apply
- The size and shape of the die and press
- The condition of the tools (well-worn tools won’t produce as clean a cut)
What is a press brake?
As opposed to punching holes in sheet metals, press brakes are designed to manipulate materials by bending them.
By pinching the metal sheet between a top tool and a bottom die, the braking system is able to apply force and bend the material to the shape dictated by the die during the punching process.
Much like a CNC punch press, the evolution of technology has allowed the operation of press brakes to become much easier, more streamlined, and more accurate.
PC-controlled gauges can position materials within the press brake to an exceptional level of accuracy, forming materials with a more precise bend and end result, while special sensors allow press operators to make necessary changes during the press process.
The sensors report data back to the operator during the process, allowing them to make changes to the positioning of the metal to improve the end product.
Like most punch presses, modern press brakes can be fitted with safety tools that cause an immediate shutdown at the touch of a button to ensure workers are not injured.
There are many different press die sets available to use with press brakes, depending on the needs of the user. These include V-dies, rotary dies, gooseneck dies, and more.
Choose Cambridge Dynamics for all your pressing and punching needs
At Cambridge Dynamics, our decades of combined experience in presses means we’re in the perfect position to help you with all your sheet metal punching requirements.
From punch presses to stamp presses, forming presses, CNC milling, and beyond, our team is ready to help you and your business make the most of this essential technology and improve your manufacturing process.
Get in touch with Cambridge Dynamics today by calling 01480 459 555, or you can contact us via email at enquiries@cambridgedynamics.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.