Adjusting A Sheet Metal Brake

Check end to end clamp alignment by placing a test strip.

Adjusting a sheet metal brake.

Step 1 check clamping pressure by clamping test strips in the brake approximately 3 or 4 inches away from each end of the brake. There must be adequate area around the brake for free movement of the operator and the handling of large sheets of metal. Adjust by means of clamping handle adjusting nuts as shown. When hemming and flattening material where double or triple thickness is.

To tighten clamping pressure release the top nut and tighten the bottom nut. Do this on both sides of the brake. A sheet metal brake should bend sheet metal with much more ease than trying to do it by hand. Once again place the sheet metal strip 0 50mm from previous step between bender and bed but this time a little higher from the surface of bed bender.

For the following adjustment use test strips of metal each approximately 3 inches by 3 inches of the thickness being formed. If you are having a hard time with the bending action first check to see if a smaller piece of scrap metal can be easily bent. Allow 4 to 6 feet behind the brake 6 to 8 feet in front of the brake and 3 feet on either end of the brake. Set the clamping pressure so that it is enough to keep the material from slipping during a bend.

It is recommended that this adjustment be made for each thickness of material. Operate the brake and bend some material first before attempting any major adjustment. Adjust the brake so as to be adjoined to metal strip tightly. Radius set back refers to the distance between the leading edge of the clamp and the inside edge of the apron.

Use test strips of metal approximately 3 inches by 3 inches each of the thickness you will be forming for the following adjustments.