Bending machines are specialist industrial tools that are able to bend metal to form a variety of different shapes. The most commonly used metals for this process include stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper.
Bending metal is crucial in numerous industries to enable the creation of bespoke components that have to have precise shapes and sizes. Examples include the aerospace industry, where aerodynamic precision-shaped panels are crucial for performance, and building and construction, where facades often need to be curved.
Bending Machine – Types
There are several different types of bending machines that are commonly used nowadays. They can be manual or automated and horizontal or vertical.
Sheet Metal Bending Machines
As the name suggests, these are for bending large sheets of metal. They can be bent into intricate shapes, and various thicknesses of metal can be used. These machines, when used in manufacturing, can be paired with specialist metal cutting machines.
Pipe Bending Machines
These are able to bend any type of metal pipe, tube or rod into the required shape whilst maintaining the internal diameter. These are used to create HVAC tubing, exhaust pipes, plumbing fittings and more.
Bending Machines – Specialists
If you feel that you or your business could benefit from a bending machine, specialists such as Cotswold Machinery are able to offer a variety of options to suit different requirements.
Press Brake Machines
These machines are able to create complex shapes and designs thanks to having brakes that prevent the ‘punch’ from going all the way through. The downward force and braking point are usually controlled by a computer.
Plate Roll Bending Machines
These machines are primarily used for bending thick metal plates. They consist of three rollers arranged in a pyramid shape. They can be fully or semi-automatic and can handle plates of up to four inches in thickness.
When deciding on which bending machine you should opt for, you should consider the size and complexity of your project, how much force/power you need, your budget and the level of expertise required.
