Hydraulic Press Brake for Sale: How to Choose the Best Model for Your Needs

Buying a hydraulic press brake machine can be a challenging decision due to the wide variety of types and configurations available on the market. This complexity can create confusion even among experienced operators. This article will serve as a comprehensive guide for purchasing a hydraulic press brake. You'll learn about the key factors to consider and the common pitfalls to avoid when looking for a hydraulic press brake for sale. With the information provided here, you can make an informed decision and ensure you get the best value for your investment.

How to Classify Press Brakes

Press brakes can be classified into two schools of thought, principle, and operation.

The principle of a press brake is to assist in the manufacturing process to create workpieces. A press brake is used for bending and forming various metal materials like aluminum, copper, iron, stainless steel, etc, and as a press to complete break forming, die forming, leveling, riveting, etc.

The operation of a press brake is the actual means of how a press brake works. There are different types of press brakes like hydraulic, CNC, hand-crank, hybrid, and more. Press brakes are different sizes and can bend or form different sizes of workpieces.

All press brakes have a similar goal, to bend the workpiece. However, different types of press brakes can produce results faster and more accurately. Energy efficiency and conserving electricity also vary depending on the type of press brake.

Safety measures are different for different press brakes as well. CNC and hybrid press brakes usually have light beam or laser protection, while torsion bar press brakes have guards.

What Is A Hydraulic Press Brake

A hydraulic press brake is a machine tool used for shaping sheet metal and metal plates by clamping the workpiece using hydraulic pressure between a matching top tool (punch) and bottom die thereby making precise bends. The main components that make up a hydraulic press machine include:

• Hydraulic system: The heart of the machine creates the necessary pressure to move the ram
• Ram: The part that moves and presses the punch into the workpiece.
• Bed: This part remains stationary and holds the die.
• Back Gauge: A device allowing exact positioning of each workpiece to guarantee its perfect bending.
• Control Unit: Usually, this is CNC (Computer Numerical Control), an interface through which an operator interacts with a machine in order to control it more accurately.

When a press brake machine functions, it starts with a hydraulic system generating pressure, which forces down the ram, pushing the punch into a workpiece placed on top of a lower die. Through this method, different angles can be created leading to different shapes, hence making it very versatile as compared to mechanical or pneumatic brakes.

3 Most Popular Press Brake Types

Among the various types of press brakes, three stand out as the most commonly used across industries: the Torsion Bar Press Brake, CNC Press Brake, and Hybrid Press Brake. While these are not the only types available, they are the most prevalent.

Press brakes have been a cornerstone in many industries for decades. Continuous improvements and technological advancements have maintained their relevance and effectiveness. As demand has increased, manufacturers have consistently developed modern press brakes to meet evolving needs.

Today, many companies offer press brake operation services, taking orders from customers to produce the required workpieces. Additionally, businesses in numerous industries purchase their own press brakes to support their in-house production needs.

Torsion Bar Press Brake

Torsion bar press brakes are an older machine type. They are usually not offered by Western manufacturers any longer, with the Chinese market remaining the only manufacturer.

Torsion bar press brakes require that all the bending is positioned in the middle of the press break top beam, which does not allow for multiple tooling setups along the bottom and top beams. Bending that is done off center can eventually cause a positional discrepancy between the two hydraulic cylinders that will require a positional recalibration of each hydraulic cylinder.

Torsion bar press brakes are not thought of as high accuracy, high specification press brakes. The number of CNC Controlled axis is usually limited to three.

Torsion bar press brakes are less energy efficient and less accurate than CNC and hybrid press brakes. Many industries have moved away from using torsion bar press brakes, but they are not completely obsolete.

CNC Press Brake

CNC stands for Computer Numerically Controlled. CNC press brakes have either a fixed bottom bed with the V block tooling clamped in place and a top beam that travels under force with the V blade tools.

The reverse is an up forming machine with the bottom bend moving and the top beam fixed. Either method will produce the same components. Neither type is restricted by the design needed of the component.

CNC press brakes are programmed to accept the workpiece component flat bank at a specific distance, which is defined by the programmable backstop, also known as the point where the bend will be formed. The distance that the programmable V blade enters into the V block will define the angle of the final bend. If the V blade enters the V block further, then the final V bend will be tighter.

The CNC program positioning can generate angles and bend lengths of all kinds. A CNC press brake is run by a computerized system that the operators use. Different from other press brakes that are not fully computerized.

All-electric press brakes, like CNC models, do not use hydraulics to bend the metal, but instead, they use electric motors that drive the bending mechanisms. The motors turn on during the bending process and shut off automatically whenever the machine is not in use. Electric press brakes save electricity, have improved accuracy, and have faster output speeds.

 Hybrid Press Brake

Hybrid press brakes combine both hydraulic and electrical types. Hybrids do not have gear pumps like hydraulic press brake types do, but hybrid press brakes do use hydraulics to assist with the bending process. A servo-drive system is used to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid into the machine’s cylinders.

Like electric press brakes, the Hybrid will shut off whenever a bending function is not being performed. This helps save energy and electricity. Hybrid press brakes are great for shops that need the means to create parts that require up to 250 metric tons of bending power.

Hybrid press brakes generally conserve more energy than the other two. Hybrid press brakes are quieter while operating than CNC or torsion bar press brakes. Hybrids are more accurate than torsion bar press brakes. Some hybrid press brakes have independent hydraulic systems for each side of the press brake and each cylinder has its own motor and valve controlling it.

Hybrid press brakes are fast working machines and are faster than torsion bar and CNC. Many hybrid press brakes are outfitted with laser safety protection, making hybrids an ideal safety model for operators.

What's types of hydraulic press brake for sale

When looking for hydraulic press brakes for sale, you'll encounter several types, each designed for specific needs and applications. Here are the main types:

Standard Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: The most common type, suitable for general-purpose bending.
• Features: Operates using hydraulic cylinders to provide consistent force.
• Applications: Used in various industries for standard metal forming tasks.

High-Speed Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: Designed for faster operation and higher productivity.
• Features: Enhanced hydraulic systems and advanced controls for increased speed.
• Applications: Ideal for high-volume production environments where speed is critical.

Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: Built to handle large, thick materials and heavy loads.
• Features: Robust construction with higher tonnage capacities and reinforced frames.
• Applications: Used in industries that require bending of heavy and thick materials, such as shipbuilding and large-scale manufacturing.

CNC Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: Equipped with computer numerical control for precise and automated bending.
• Features: Offers advanced programming capabilities, including automatic adjustments and complex bending sequences.
• Applications: Suitable for intricate and high-precision tasks, often used in aerospace and automotive industries.

Hybrid Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: Combine hydraulic and electric technologies to optimize performance.
• Features: Offers energy efficiency and precise control by integrating hydraulic power with electric drive systems.
• Applications: Provides a balance of efficiency and precision, suitable for a wide range of applications.

Custom Hydraulic Press Brakes:

• Description: Tailored to specific needs and specifications.
• Features: Customizable configurations to meet unique operational requirements.
• Applications: Ideal for specialized manufacturing processes that require bespoke solutions.

Advantages of Hydraulic Press Brakes

• Accuracy and Precision: CNC press brake ensures precise bends because the pressure will always be the same, reliable and accurately measured every time the machine functions at any point in time.
• Multi-purpose: Press brake machine forming canvary from thin aluminum sheets up to thick steel plates hence they can operate on several types of materials with different thicknesses and this variety makes them applicable across various industries.
• Ease of Operation: Even a beginner would find using hydraulic press machine fun due to the user-friendly designs and features such as those found in CNC machines where an operator may set specific values.
• Safety Features: There are several built-in safety precautions like light curtains or emergency stop buttons which can be found on most hydraulic press brakes. Additionally, their ram can be stopped at any point within its stroke length, thus adding more security measures.
• Efficiency in Energy Usage: Advances in hydraulic technology have enabled manufacturers to come up with energy-efficient designs for these devices. When compared with older models, modern presses consume less power, notwithstanding whether they operate better than them or not.

Costs of Hydraulic Press Brake for Sale

• Initial Purchase CostThe prices for hydraulic press brakes vary greatly according to their capacity, brand, and any other additional features. The most affordable models may start from around $30,000, while the high-end ones exceed $200,000 with extra facilities.
• Maintenance CostsDepending on how intensively it is used, maintenance costs can differ, but it is generally an essential investment for longevity and consistent performance.
• Operational CostsGenerally speaking, hydraulic press brakes consume less energy compared to mechanical ones which leads to lower utility bills. However, operator knowledge through proper training on the functions of the machines as well as safety protocols, remains an ongoing expense.
• Cost-Benefit AnalysisDespite their steep initial price tags, followed by their long durability periods and efficiency rates, these machines eventually save users huge sums of money in the form of reduced downtime or extra labor cost savings from wasted materials while processing the company’s products.

Hydraulic Press Brake for Sale: Key Considerations for Buying

There are various factors at play when buying a press brake. Choose a press brake based on the particular factors that apply to you:

Tonnage Capacity

Tonnage capacity relates to the force that a press brake machine can apply. A higher force means the ability to bend a thicker material. Choose a tonnage capacity that can easily bend the metal in your particular application.

Bending Length

Type of Press Brake

There are many different types of press brake machines. Each of these comes with its own set of advantages and limitations. You can choose the right press brake based on your use case. These different types of press brakes are:

Mechanical Press Brakes

The mechanical press brake is the most basic type of press brake. It is based on a flywheel and clutch mechanism. Electric motors power the flywheel clutch assembly. Mechanical press brakes have a large tonnage capability. They can easily bend three times their rated capacity. Additionally, they have a simple build leading to simpler maintenance. However, a major drawback of these brakes is their inability to stop midway. Once a cycle starts, the ram will complete the entire cycle motion.

Hydraulic Press Brakes

The hydraulic press brake uses the dynamics of water pressure to create the force for the bending. There are multiple hydraulic oil cylinders to provide various bending settings. This provides a greater number of options and adds to the bending precision. However, a hydraulic press brake is highly sensitive. Their operation should never exceed the rated tonnage value. Additionally, there is the risk of fluid leaks from the cylinders.

Electric Press Brakes

Electric press brakes use multiple servo brakes to move the bending ram. The servomotors provide accurate control over the bending angle. However, electric press brakes have severe limitations in tonnage capability. Additionally, electric press brake does not perform well for high volume production. It is also known as a CNC press brake machine.

Hybrid Press Brake

Hybrid press brakes combine the operation of hydraulic press brakes and electric press brakes. These machines have automatic start and stop operation. Additionally, replacement of electric motors with hydraulics provide a higher bending force. However, they require complex maintenance in case of a breakdown.

Pneumatic Press Brakes

Pneumatic press brakes replace oil cylinders with air. Compressed air can provide a high bending force necessary for most materials. These brakes have a lower bending prowess compared to hydraulic press brakes. However, there is no risk of fluid leakage in the operation.

Box and Pan Brakes

Precision

Certain projects require more precision than others. Choosing a lower accuracy press brake for a high precision requirement can lead to rejection of most parts. Therefore, check the bending precision of the press brake before buying it. This value is generally listed in the product’s technical information page.

Material Thickness

Thicker materials are harder to bend. Check the thickest material that the press brake can bend. This will provide a better idea of whether it can adequately perform your operations. Different materials might have different thickness limits.

Bend Complexity

If your application requires multiple bends, choose a press brake that is capable of doing so. Otherwise, you might have to do multiple workpiece setups. This increases the setup time significantly, increasing the operating costs. It is better to invest these costs initially in a higher-capacity press brake.

Production Efficiency

Different press brakes have a difference in bending speed. Use this value to find out how many parts it can create for you in a day. Choose a press brake if it fulfills your daily production volume requirements.

Operator Skill Level

Complex press brakes can provide a higher range of features and automation. However, it also requires a higher skill level of the operator. Consider the skilled operator’s availability before choosing a complex press brake option.

How to Buy A Hydraulic Press Brake for Sale

Going on a Bender?

Want to bend some plate or sheet metal? Then you probably need a brake of some type, and if the metal is hard or thick enough, you will want a powered press brake for the job.

While some buyer somewhere might pick out a press brake based on a nice paint color, that’s probably not a realistic criterion for locating the right machine for your project at hand — not to mention anticipated future work. How do you find the perfect press brake? Let’s “brake” the process down into some essential points for consideration.

Not My Type

Before buying a press brake, you should become familiar with the different types of press brakes available.

• Mechanical press brakes are the original powered press brakes. They’ve been all but replaced by hydraulic press brakes, but buyers with minimal bending needs can still find used models available.
• Pneumatic press brakes are usually smaller brakes that run off of shop air and are used for extremely light work where accuracy isn’t as big of an issue.
• Hydraulic press brakes have been the mainstay of the metal fabrication world since the last quarter of the 20^th century and remain so today since they are stronger and cheaper than most electric brakes. The ram is moved by a system of hydraulic cylinders and is perfect for the shop with heavy workloads.
• Electric press brakes are becoming more common in the industry and are equipped with servomotors instead of cylinders, making them quieter and more energy efficient than their hydraulic counterparts. They also require less maintenance and are often much more accurate.
• Hybrid press brakes are hydraulic brakes equipped with electric motors which minimize the used of the hydraulic system for greater cost savings while still having full hydraulic power.

Size Matters

An important thing to remember is that you want to buy a bigger machine than your biggest job. If you buy a press brake with a capacity that’s rated to handle your largest anticipated part (both for length and for tonnage), you need to realize that your machine isn’t built to maintain its full capacity day-in and day-out. The rated capacity is really a “you can bend this once-in-a-while if you absolutely have to” limit.

Decide what your largest job will be, find a press brake that will handle it, then go one “size” (20-30%) bigger from that manufacturer, as far as tonnage goes. It really wouldn’t hurt to go a couple extra feet in length as well, as you never know when a slightly longer part will need bending.

It May Take Two to Tango

Speaking of length, if you have really long but fairly lightweight parts, there’s no need to buy a huge brake just to meet your length requirement. Most good press brake manufacturers will build their CNC brakes in such a way that they can be combined into a tandem configuration of two side-by-side brakes of the same working height that can be run from a single control.

This same type of synchronous operation can often be used with brakes in a trio or even a quad configuration, so check with your press brake distributor to see if that’s available. Multiple smaller brakes can often be less expensive than a single massive one to achieve the same length. (This would be a good place to mention that you have to be sure to take into consideration your shop space, not only for the size of your new machine, but also how your workflow is going fit around it.)

Now You’re Just Deflecting

When you work with metal fabrication machines, understanding the concept of deflection is important. Deflection is the degree to which a structural element like a machine frame is temporarily deformed under a load. In the case of press brakes, it refers to the displacement or flexing of the ram and the bed while pressure is being directed through them into the work piece. This in turn can be transferred into the part being made, causing a slight arcing or bowing of the final product.

Knowing the deflection limits of the press brakes you are looking at will help you decide on the best one for your money. The amount of deflection a brake has increases exponentially when you move to longer models. Basic press brakes will require shimming to maintain a parallel bend in your finished part, while more sophisticated machines can have some sort of deflection compensation built in, such as a crowning system.

You Need to Apply Yourself

“What is my application?” is the single most important question you can ask yourself when buying a press brake. Regardless of cost, you need to match your machine to your projects, including your best guess at future jobs.

What parts will you be making? How accurate do they have to be? Will there be a lot of one-off parts, or will you be producing the same pieces over and over? How will the workpieces be loaded and unloaded? Knowing what you want to accomplish with your new press brake is critical in buying one.

Got Metal?

Understanding not only what the finished part will look like, but what it is made from is essential. The metal fabricator needs to look at the types of material that will used in each of the bending jobs on the new press brake. What is the longest piece of each metal? The shortest? The thickest? The thinnest?

Any special characteristics of each metal — such as texture, elasticity, yield or increased tensile strength — also have to be factored in when calculating bends. Deflection figures into material as well as machines, so while you might know what type of press brake is required to bend a certain length and thickness of mild steel, the load requirement for stainless steel increases by about 50%, while soft aluminum might require 50% less.

A Ton to Know

Press brakes are a little different than leaf brakes in that they are measured in lengths and tons, rather than lengths and metal thickness. The nature of the bending process on a press brake —bending metal between a punch and a die under great pressure — differs from the simpler folding process of manual brakes.

Calculating the correct tonnage for your needs might sound like rocket science, but most manufacturers offer a press brake bending chart to figure it out fairly easily (side note: if your purchased brake doesn’t have such a chart mounted on it, be sure to affix one for the daily use of your operators). Most tonnage charts will be based on air bending mild steel, so they won’t be accurate for different materials or different bending processes, like bottom bending or coining.

A Bend to Die for

In order to read a press brake bending chart, you don’t just need to know the length and thickness of your specific material, you need to know the inside radius of your finished part, and you also have to look at what V-die will be needed. The wider the V-die opening, the less tonnage will be required to bend the same material.

For example, if you decide that you need a press brake that can bend 10 feet of 1/4″ mild steel, you would consult an air bending tonnage chart, which would show you that the standard for bending 1/4″ material is a 2″ V-die. It would also tell you that it’s going to take 15.5 tons per foot to bend it. Multiplying 15.5 by 10 for your length gives you 155 tons, which means you will need at least a 155-ton press brake with a minimum of 10′ of bed length for your metal bending job.

What the Flange?

Another factor in determining the correct press brake is knowing what the flange lengths will be in your finished parts, since V-die widths limit the sizes of the flanges that can be bent. If the part you are wanting to bend has a 1″ flange length, then the standard 2″ V-die won’t work, since the flange would fall into the die while being bent. Your press brake bending chart will show you what the minimum flange length has to be for each V-die.

In our example of air bending 10 feet of 1/4″ mild steel, if you determine that you need to use a 1-1/2″ V-die to accommodate your flange length, you will see that significantly more tonnage will now be required to make the bend. In this case, you’d have to increase from 15.5 to 22.8 tons per foot, meaning that you will now need a minimum of a 228-ton brake to bend your part.

Well, That’s Deep

Your flange length can also affect the required length of your press brake as well. If you have a 3′ long flange length, then you will be bending that length of material back into the press brake. If the width of the metal is 10′ then a 10′ wide brake won’t be wide enough to allow for that size of flange, since the distance between the side frames of a press brake is almost always less than the length of the bed.

The side frames on a 10′ press brake are usually around 8 feet apart and would prevent a 3′ flange on 10′ material from being bent back inside of the machine, as the throat (the C-shaped opening cut into both side frames) wouldn’t be anywhere close to that deep. So, you would probably need at least a 12′ press brake that has 10′ between the frames to bend that length of flange.

I’ve Seen the Light

Traditionally called “daylight,” the open height of the machine also needs to be looked at when determining the right press brake for your needs. While standard open height may work fine for you, you may want to consider ordering a brake that has a larger open height with a longer stroke depending on your jobs and the tooling you are using. If you will be bending large flanges, you may find that you can’t easily remove the part from a press brake with standard open height.

All of the dimensions of the working area of a press brake — open height, stroke length and throat depth — have to be taken into consideration when buying the right machine.

To CNC or Not to CNC — That Is the Question

Will you want to buy a CNC press brake? That depend on how many axes you will want to control on your brake, and how easily you want to do it. Your Y-axis is the up and down movement of the ram on your press brake, but with most CNC hydraulic press brakes you will be able to control each hydraulic cylinder (called Y1 and Y2) independent of each other.

A back gauge is important to have on a press brake, as it will measure the flange length, or the distance from the punch and die to the edge of the metal (X-axis), allowing you to place your bend at the correct spot. You can usually set the horizontal position of the back gauge (Z-axis) and even its height (R-axis). If you opt for separate fully powered, CNC-controlled back gauges on your press brake, then your operator can independently set the positions of the left (R1, Z1, X1) and the right (R2, Z2, X2) back gauges right at the control and have them adjust automatically during the bending process, vastly saving time. Functions like powered crowning or controlling a sheet following system can also be automated through a CNC control.

Beyond the ABCs

Understanding the different axes and why you would want to control them will help you pick out your best brake. Having a Y1 axis that is controlled separately from a Y2 axis allows both sides of the ram to come down exactly parallel to the die for an accurate bend angle on a long workpiece. Being able to raise a back gauge up and down (R-axis) is important if you are going to be making multiple bends, such as putting a 45° bend into a piece of material and then making another bend further into that same piece.

Will you be running small parts on your press brake? If, for example, you will be alternating between 2′ and 10′ wide pieces on your brake, you may want powered Z1 and Z2 fingers, so you won’t have to keep manually adjusting the width of the fingers for each different bend. Will you be bending on an angle? If, for example, you will be bending a flange that is 3″ deep on one side and 2-1/2″ on the other side, then you may want a Z-Prime axis — also known as a Delta X-axis — so that you can adjust your press brake on an angle with one fixed finger and a second one that can adjust plus or minus 5″ (separate Z1 and Z2 axes can accomplish the same thing).

The Right Tool for the Job

Without tooling, a press brake is just an oversized doorstop. Tooling is what does the job once the pressure is applied, so make sure you have the right tooling to complement your new press brake. Somewhat worn conventional tooling from your old manually operated brake probably won’t cut it with your brand-new CNC press brake, where precision-ground tooling is highly recommended.

You will probably want to get a press brake with a universal die rail. It has two C-flanges on it to hold a 4-way V-die, but it also has a groove down the center, which will allow you to also buy single tooling with an American-style tang that will sit down in the slot. If your operator is going to be bending the same thing all the time using standard tooling, then you probably only need a 4-way V-die on the bottom that can rotated when needed.

If your operator is going to be making many different bends in different material and will be changing tooling frequently, you need to consider whether you want them to take the time to use a wrench to put the tooling in the clamps (seating the tooling manually each time) or would it be more cost effective to order a tooling system for your new press brake? Some tooling systems have upper tooling clamps with a power pack that releases the tooling with a push of a button. The tooling can be pulled out, a new one inserted, and with another push of a button the new tooling is locked and seated and ready to go. The same type of option can be purchased for the bottom tooling as well.

All the Bells and Whistles

Once you’ve calculated your size and axis requirements for bending and picked out your tooling, there are still many options to look at in order to choose the right press brake for your needs, such as front sheet supports, extended length back gauges or robotic loading and unloading. Please keep in mind, however, that every upgrade to your brake comes at a cost that has to be weighed against the convenience and efficiency you will get from those optional accessories.

One important area to look at is the type of safety guarding systems you will want. A good press brake dealer will always provide at least the minimum equipment that is required for safety, but there are other factors you should look at, such as how automated and how user-friendly you want your machine to be. These choices have a bearing on the safety options that you need to consider. If you only want the most basic laser package that projects a beam across the bottom of the tooling, you have to realize that it can be somewhat cumbersome at times. While it is effective and works, it can get in the way during tooling changes. There are more sophisticated safety lasers that you can upgrade to, such as systems that are monitored through the control, making them much more user-friendly.

Operator Error

You’ve heard the saying, “A tool is only as good as the hands that wield it”? Well, that applies to really big and expensive tools like press brakes, too. If you are moving up from more basic equipment to your first CNC press brake, you will likely either need to provide extensive training to existing personnel or add a trained operator to the payroll. Either way, you should figure those costs into your overall budget for your new press brake.

Your operators have to know how to safely run a press brake and be dedicated to doing so. They also have to keep press brake maintenance clearly in mind and take daily steps to clean tooling and perform other preventative tasks. Shop costs can skyrocket when damage, accidents and injuries occur because a press brake operator doesn’t strictly following set procedures along with some common sense.

I Know a Guy Who Knows a Guy

Knowing everything there is to know about press brakes won’t do you much good if you don’t have a good supplier that you can trust. Get some recommendations for press brake dealers from people you know in the industry, check them out and find an experienced one that is knowledgeable and patient and offers quality machine, regardless of price tag. You will likely want to find a company that offers tooling, replacement parts, maintenance packages and repair services all under the same roof, so they can become your one-stop-shop for all things press brakes long after the sale is complete.

Once you find a good press brake provider, plan to stick with them, even if you are required to look elsewhere for bids on future machines. A good machinery salesman is like a good doctor or dentist — they will get to know you and your needs over the years and will be able to make recommendations specifically for you that keep your best interests in mind.

Conclusion

Hydraulic press brakes are crucial in producing high-quality metal products, making them especially valuable in industries such as aerospace and automotive. For those seeking top-tier press brakes, KRRASS offers an extensive selection of hydraulic press brake for sale, designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries. KRRASS’s equipment is renowned for its effectiveness and reliability in manufacturing processes.