CNC Folding
Our CNC metal folding system is state of the art. Improvements in machine control design and no touch operation, in conjuction with multiple-station setup along the working width of the machine, has increasing the throughput capability and the overall versatility of folding equipment in our shop.
Our Capabilities:
- Accuracy 0.1 degrees
- Up to 11ga sheet folding capability
- Up to 13' folding lengths
- Up to 6" box tooling
- 60" CNC backgage
A CNC metal folding systems is used to bend and form metal. Parts with numerous bends and different bend angles, open or closed hems, and bends inside of the part can be finished with one setup and one handling. The bending and gauge positioning accuracy allow a wide range of parts to be fabricated with repeat precision to meet the demands of metal roofing contractors and architectural engineers. These systems incorporate automatic gauging, clamping, and pivot bending for accurate, versatile part production with repeat precision.
The main difference between a folding machine and a press brake is how they handle a work piece.
Press Brake: On a press brake, the flange is gauged and the rest of the part is rotated up. On a folding machine, it's the other way around the part is gauged and supported on the sheet support system and the flange is turned up.
Folding System: While folding machines may differ in speed, capacity, and accuracy, they all bend in the same manner:
- The material is positioned on a CNC, integrated sheet support back-gauging system.
- The material is clamped between upper and lower clamping beams.
- A folding beam sweeps upward to form the pre-programmed flange angle.
During bending, the folding beam rotates upward around its pivot point and then rolls away from the material. First you clamp the part, and then you bend the flange up to the desired angle. Because the movement between the tools and the material surface is nearly eliminated, folding causes little if any material surface damage. This is especially important when bending surface-sensitive material, such as stainless steel. Even lacquered and coated metals can be folded.
Folding machines do not allow the material to slip or move during the bending process, so they can bend perforated materials with repeatable flange dimensions.
The integrated sheet support and back-gauging system positions the part instead of the flange. Because the folding beam always references the material's edge instead of the flanges, variations in material thickness do not influence the folding result. Sheet size variations are folded into the first flange, so that all other flanges and the finished part's length and width dimensions are correct. On precision folding systems, the folding beam swings up to within 0.1 degree accuracy, adding to part quality and repeatability.
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