As experts in sheet metal fabrication, we offer an expansive range of precision metal bending and forming services to meet our customers’ needs and project specifications.
Our Wiltshire-based workshop has three press brakes including an Amada HD 1303 NT, an Amada HF 5012 T and an Amada HF EM 21003.
In the hands of our highly qualified and experienced engineers, these modern tools can bend and shape all manner of metal components with a high degree of accuracy.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help with your next metal bending project or to request a quote.
As experts in sheet metal fabrication, we offer an expansive range of precision metal bending and forming services to meet our customers’ needs and project specifications.
Our Wiltshire-based workshop has three press brakes including an Amada HD 1303 NT, an Amada HF 5012 T and an Amada HF EM 21003.
In the hands of our highly qualified and experienced engineers, these modern tools can bend and shape all manner of metal components with a high degree of accuracy.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help with your next metal bending project or to request a quote.
We can bend a variety of materials up to 12mm including:
Please see the table for our current press brake specifications.
We also utilise CNC technology to speed up production times and ensure products are delivered within the shortest possible lead time – and all while maintaining exceptional quality.
| Amada HD 1303 NT | Amada HF 5012 T | Amada HF EM 21003 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnage | 130 | 50 | 100 |
| Max material width/length | 3m | 1.2m | 3m |
The punch is driven into the die opening to create the bend, although only the top two corners of the V-die actually touch the material. The angle of the bend is determined by how far the punch descends into the die. Air bending requires less pressure to make the bend compared with other techniques, plus no retooling is necessary. This method of bending is the technique we utilise in our factories at Knees Engineering.
During this technique, the punch and die are brought together so that the metal makes contact with the punch tip and the sidewalls of the V-opening. Bottom bending requires more pressure than air bending but it can create more accurate angles. However, as each bend radius requires a specific die, the process can be more complex and time-consuming than air bending.
Coining is a more basic bending technique in which an extreme amount of pressure is exerted to stamp the sheet metal between the punch and die. With enough weight, the metal conforms to the exact angle of the punch and die being used. While the technique can create a very precise angle, the considerable tonnage required to achieve the bend means the method is now less popular than air bending and bottom bending.
Sheet metal bending, also known as press braking or folding, is a key stage of the metal fabrication process.
It refers to the action of bending, folding and pressing sheet metal into the required angle or shape.
The metal bending process
When the sheet metal is pressed between the punch and the die, it is forced to bend at an angle. The result is usually a ‘V’ or a ‘U’ shape bend. The precise bend angle is determined by the depth to which the punch forces the sheet metal into the die.
Although press brakes can be operated manually, most are now controlled via a computer. CNC technology enables the press brake to be programmed to create multiple, intricate and precise bends automatically within minutes, helping to speed up production times and minimise costs.
Metal folding is usually just one stage of the metal fabrication process – it’s often preceded by a cutting process and followed by the assembly stage. At Knees Engineering, our metal bending and forming work is the perfect complement to our other metal fabrication services.
Metal bending techniques
Why choose Knees Engineering?
