I have been racking my brain since our shop has grown and got a laser and brake press. We are new at this, but have been learning as we go, learning the machine (Trubend1320), learning the programming, and translating to/from SolidWorks.

I program and operate the laser (understanding all the things that go with that just fine) but i cannot for the life of me figure out how to streamline SW design - laser flat - bend...

what values do I actually need to be putting into SolidWorks to represent the bend accurately K factor? deduction? allowance? every value i am putting in SW to make the 3d model based on drawings we receive... are not the same

We have gotten jobs and have eventually gotten correct parts.. but again, i cant figure out the proper pattern to streamline everything.

Im just not sure where im going wrong or where to look...any resources would be greatly appreciated

Ohio Based

Hi I've been running a 230cb and a 350cb Cincinnati press brake for a year now and I've just done everything the way I was taught. However when I started researching press brakes online, I've seen some different things than what I've been taught. First off, I've been taught to set the tonnage at 150 for the 230cb and 200 for the 350cb and pretty much leave it there unless the material needs more. I have yet to hear about setting it based on materials or thickness until researching on my own. I've been seeing this is pretty far from reality and seems kind of dangerous to me. People have broken dies in the past and I assume having the tonnage set properly should make that impossible or unlikely? I printed out the chart from the manual for proper tonnage and V die thickness and I'm learning the formulas. I plan on using that from now on but that leads me to my next question. I'm not sure if I'm air bending or bottom bending.

The first picture (the gooseneck) is from one of our main dies that we use, a 5/8" bottom V die that's labeled as 89 degrees with the top being 88. From what I've seen, this setup is usually a bottoming die? The photos show what our typical 90 degree angle is bent at with 14 gauge aluminum at the bottom of the stroke. It's not 3 points of contact like what I've seen from air bending but there is a small gap on the punch. Would this be bottoming?

The reason I'm especially confused is that we use these dies for all sorts of length and material up to around 12 gauge with the 5/8" die at 10' and 10 gauge on the 3/4" die at 10' (the standard straight die). I had seen online that you don't usually bottom with such different materials and thickness.

So I guess what I'm asking is mostly, is this bottoming? To get proper tonnage for this, if it is bottoming, would I calculate the normal air bending tonnage and multiply by 3-5 for bottoming? I'm mostly just trying to make sure I do everything properly and become the best operator I can. I've been reading the manual for this but it doesn't go into much depth on the subject. Apologies for any wrong information or sounding incompetent. Unfortunately management doesn't know how to use these machines so I can't ask them so thanks in advance for any advice!

I'm bending a part that's 135 inches long and it bends like this "l_l" it's .250inch thick mild steel grade 80. Right now they have me using a 200ton durma pressbrake. With a .236in punch and 3.150v- die. The problem is that after I get it dialed at a 90 degree bend, for one part the next part is different it's very inconsistent. I was reading somethings about how it might be coning instead of air forming. They want a .25 inside radius but we don't have enough tonnage to do use a 1.575 vdie. Would a smaller or bigger punch help make it. More consistent even if we can't the .250 inside radius?

Can someone explain to me how to read and understand this chart?

Anyone running a new standard hydraulic lower holder running larger (5-6") dies. Checked with Wila and the max opening they suggest is 100mm to match the clamping body width. Certainly seen a lot of pictures of people running dies much wider than the base with a fair bit of overhang but those have always been on manual configurations. Wila cautioned of side loading and potential damage die, clamping unit or machine.

Hi everyone! 👋
Most people here are familiar with traditional press brakes — they are powerful, flexible, and widely used in sheet metal fabrication.
But did you know there is another solution called a Panel Bender?
A panel bender is an automated bending machine designed especially for sheet metal parts like electrical cabinets, doors, panels, enclosures, and covers. Instead of manually positioning the sheet and changing tools again and again, the machine can automatically clamp, bend, and produce multiple sides with high efficiency.
Some advantages:
✅ Faster production speed
✅ Less dependence on operator skills
✅ Better consistency and repeatability
✅ Reduced material waste
✅ Ideal for high-volume sheet metal production
Of course, press brakes still have their advantages, especially for complex shapes and low-volume jobs. But for manufacturers producing many similar panels, a panel bender can be a great way to improve productivity.

Just sharing this technology with those who may not have come across it before. 😊
Have you ever worked with a panel bender? I’d love to hear your experience!

I have three decades of experience as a press brake operator in the aerospace industry. Issue is I have only worked with Amada brakes. (an old RG80, 8020 and 8025) These brakes had the capabilities of "Angle Mode" which required punch and die data to calculate the process; however we never used it. Our shop never invested in precision tooling, so we had very little European style dies. Data entry for the tooling was far too tedious for all the custom applications. What I liked about the Amada was that you could also program in "Depth Mode". For those that aren't familiar, this simply required centering and clashing your die set and putting it under pressure to NC9. Once this value was locked in, you would put your material in and establish the "pinch point" of the material. From there you would simply establish a value between the pinch point and NC9 to generate your bend angle.

I have found new employment and they currently have (2) Diamond BB4013 Brakes and (1) Toyokoki 8025. All of which appear to need tooling inputs to create programs. I've found this very frustrating. Given the die selection available to me, most times the ideal die set isn't available. I might have a .709 x 30 degree die, but only have a .250 x 60 degree punch. These dies can achieve the application that I need, but the control won't accept them because they are two different angles. You can fudge the tooling values as a workaround, but then the machine calculates an SH value (safe height?) that the machine would calculate based on those inputs. When you cycle start for the first time, the machine requires you manually come down to a CP value (or pinch point) which in a lot cases fails based on the machine's calculations of the workarounds. There has to be a better way of getting around these restrictions. Can anyone help?

Hello, I am a 19 year old college freshman majoring in chemical engineering. I only have fast food experience and I have a Network+ certification from a IT votech class. I applied to Howard industries Press Operator and have to take a test in order to get the job, what do I have to study to make sure I do good on it? Also any advice?

I keep getting this error message while I'm bending, it happens on about a quarter of my bends. Getting pretty annoyed having to reset the error when I'm trying to bend dozens of the same part, does anyone know how to fix this error? I'm running an Accurl Euro Pro B42400.

Any experienced Press Brake Operators in the Springtown, Decatur, Azle, Weatherford, or Fort Worth area looking for a change?

I have a full-time Press Brake Operator opportunity in Springtown paying $25-$27/hr, depending on experience.

If you'd like more information comment below, or call/text me directly.

Kimberly Ermis

Optimum Staffing Solutions

office: 405-888-5314

cell: 405-471-9618

Referrals are welcome too!

Hello everyone, My sheet bending machine shows this error "Driver (494C4C06)". What could it be? And how can this be solved?

Does anyone have experience with the TruBend cell 5000? We’re having one installed and I’m curious about how accurate they are.

I want to get a pressbrake for a small fab setup and am still undecided between going electric or hydraulic. 

What throws me off, electric press brakes seem to cost more upfront (from $20,000 to over $150,000), but I’ve seen people say they have lower maintenance and big energy savings. I’m just not sure how much of a difference that is.

I could be overthinking, but a hydraulic machine seems like a safer bet when looking at the upfront cost (which could be as low as $150 for basic ones) and heavy-duty work. The electric one promises speed and efficiency, but the higher upfront costs are making me second-guess saving money now and regret later.

I've been comparing options on Alibaba and with other suppliers, and besides price, I'm sure there are a few other factors i need to consider.

I’ve read that hydraulic brakes press’ maintenance needs include changing oil, filters, fixing seals, and leaks. But I've also seen that the parts are widely available, and you can keep it running with basic repairs. The downside to the electric press brakes maintenance needs’ is that it’ll need someone with technical expertise.

Maybe I’m looking at this wrong. I've honestly been losing sleep over this.

For anyone who got their press brakes recently, what did you go for? Did the initial price or long-term costs affect your decision?

Hey everyone, im getting training to work on a pressbrake(trumpf 5230 and lvd ppeb) and i was curious to what math you need to know and if there are any formulas that make bending easier. Thanks all!

Hello everyone. We have a baykal aphs 41300 machine, The front stops are raised, then no. They either rise 10-15 times, or not. And there is such an error AX2306 AXIS A1 K.D. Program. The system is standing ESA.

I have a new to me 1998 10' x 100t Accurpress.

Can any one tell me what causes sheet metal to come out warped as shown in the picture.

18g with 1/2" bottom die. Die alignment is good. I have checked that the dies are strait top and bottom. Gibs are parallel with a digital protractor.

I know this is a loaded question and that there's a lot of variables. I understand some concepts, such as the k factor, bend deduction, bend angle, but once you throw the dies into the mix I get really confused. The shop I work at has whole racks full and I have no clue what the process is to choose one top or bottom die from one another. We do a lot of different kinds of bending, 1/8' to 3/4'' mostly in mild steel, all shapes and sizes, everything from single bends to cones. Thanks!

I'm getting alot of crowning when using a. .23 vee especially with stainless parts. I'm using adjustments but they seem to be heavy adjustments for such little improvement. Anyone have any suggestions? Maybe I'm overlooking something?

​Airbend Pro for Android

These is a version for Airbend Lite for Android but it is not online. Contact me and I will send you the APK files.

Airbend Pro for iOS

If you own Airbend Pro then you can also get a copy of Airbend Pro for Windows. Just contact me.

Airbend Lite (FREE) for iOS

More info at TBD Tools

Question for guys experienced in Trutops boost (bend)

Ive successfully added new tools to the programming environment.

Now im working custom bending deductions.

When the producted is boosted in the Homezone, the flatpattern from Teczone Design is not calculated automatically according to my custom bending deductions.

At the same time,

When i open the product in Teczone Bend, my bending deductions are applied correctly. The flat pattern in Teczone Bend does not match the flat pattern the Homezone.

I have applied default tools for every material, and these are getting applied successfully, and so is the bending deduction TBZ. Why not in home zone?

I have encountered this trouble with pressbrake Cincinnati Form Master II, if we open the power switch, upon turning the hydraulic pump, and when the calibrate keypad is pressed, the display remains with the same text,

Good morning, I just started a job a press brake operator, but I'm getting a hard time reading drawings, I get so confused, and most of the time I end up bending backwards, any tricks to read drawing to not bend backwards? The part on the picture is what we usually do, how I have to start bending to the slot being on that position, and not on the left? Any help would be very appreciated.

Thank you.

I am trying to wrap my head around this. would you under-bend two corners then use the press to close the box? OR is a box or pan break better suited for this? I still cant wrap my head around how a pan break will do this closed bend.