In addition to being a trusted manufacturer of polyurethane products in different forms and shapes, we also produce high-quality steel press brake tooling through our subsidiary, Press Brake Tooling.
This means we are a one-stop shop providing standard and custom press brake punches and dies for the best in performance and technology. Learn more about our steel press brake tooling options, the types available, and some common applications for them.
What is Press Brake Tooling?
In sheet metal fabrication, a press brake is an invaluable tool for forming and bending materials into shapes, angles, channels, and other forms. The tooling on a standard press brake has two complementary parts:
- Upper Punch: This tooling is shaped to create the desired profile or feature in the sheet metal, such as a radius, angle, or channel. It is attached to the top of the ram and applies downward force on the sheet metal to deform it into the desired shape. The sheet metal rests on top of a bottom die tool, and the punch moves down onto the sheet.
- Bottom Dies and Die Holders: This tooling is installed at the bottom of the press and holds the metal sheet securely in place as the upper punch presses down on the material. The die provides a “stop” for the punch at its lowest point.
Press brake tooling is available in a variety of shapes and dimensions to create many different angles, shapes, and features. This process is highly repeatable, which means workpieces are formed with little variation from one to the next.
Press Brake Tooling Materials
Tooling can be made from a variety of materials depending on the properties of the sheet metal it is used with. For example:
- Harder metals: Titanium and stainless steel exert greater force on tooling, making carbide-coated or high-strength tools necessary. This also extends tool life.
- Softer metals: Soft metals, such as aluminum, can be deformed with softer tooling. Softer punches or dies can also prevent surface flaws like scratches or galling.
Our steel press brake tooling is made with tool steel, which is very hard and durable for metal fabrication processes. All of our precision ground, American-style press brake tooling is made with induction-hardened 50-56 HRC steel or through-hardened to 45-50 HRC steel. They are ground to a standard tolerance of .0008 in., include a fixed-reference center line, and are available in 36 in., 18 in., and sectionalized 36 in. lengths. Our general purpose dies, including air and bottoming dies, are made from pre-hardened, chrome-carbon die steel that is heat-treated to 255-285 Brinnell hardness, or 24-31 Rockwell C hardness.
Types of Steel Press Brake Tooling
Press brake punches and dies are available in a range of shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of applications and part features.
Acute angle: For air bending, especially 30º hits for hemming.
Arc: To create specific arcs.
Bending knife: Helps avoid making multiple bends.
Forming: To form complex shapes in one operation.
Gooseneck: Creates a return flange with a deep relief.
Standard: Narrow design to exert higher tonnage for thick materials.
4-way: A different groove size on each side of the die replaces multiple single-V dies for faster changeover.
Impression-free die: Helps avoid tool marks.
U-shaped: Creates u-shaped channels.
V-shaped: Can include single, double, or multiple V bends.
Steel Press Brake Tooling from Polyurethane Products
Polyurethane Products provides a comprehensive selection of punches and dies to meet your requirements. In addition, air and bottoming dies are available to accommodate part features made with top-only punch contact (i.e., air die) or with sharp corners (i.e., bottoming die). Our tooling selection includes:
- Standard punches and dies (85, 88, and 90 degrees).
- Acute angle punches and dies.
- Gooseneck punches (88 and 90 degrees).
- Aircraft type punches.
- Quick change V-dies.
- 30 degree punches and dies.
- Flattening and hemming dies.
- 4-way dies and die holders.
- Offset dies.
We also offer custom radius dies, which can be produced in any radii and to customer requirements. This economical tooling can be used with any type of sheet metal material. Some advantages of our radius tooling include:
Consistency
Tooling creates smooth bends without lines or kinks.
Versatility
Can form any size radius by changing the steel punch and using the same bottom die.
Quality
Creates smooth surfaces that are completely free of defects.
Speed
Reduces setup times and is considerably faster than bump forming for creating large radius bends.
Applications for Press Brake Forming
Press brakes are used to fabricate many parts and components used to house, contain, or enclose equipment and wiring. They are also used to make smaller panels, channels, and strips with specific angles, curves, and other features. Some common examples include:
Appliance Manufacturing
Suitable for pre-polished 304 or 316 stainless steel; mar-free bending; sharp 90º bends and limitless radius bends.
Architectural Column Covers
Pre-painted or pre-polished aluminum or stainless steel when used with a Smart Pad® Urethane Radius Pad.
Architectural Structures
Pre-polished 316 stainless steel elements on building façades for low-maintenance and corrosion protection.
U-trough Bending
A custom radius punch can bend sheet metal up to ¼ in. thick, with only four or five hits to achieve perfect arc shapes, various radii, and no blend lines.
Contact the Experts at Polyurethane Products
At Polyurethane Products, have the knowledge and expertise to provide custom steel press brake tooling that meet your requirements. We work hard to keep lead times short and always prioritize excellent customer service. In addition to steel tooling, we offer a large selection of high-quality products including sheets, rods, bars, tubing, and metal forming tooling made from durable polyurethane materials.
Contact us to learn more about our tooling products and manufacturing capabilities, or request a quote to start your order.
Have a Question?
You have questions, we have answers. Contact us today. Our skilled customer service specialists can help you make the right choice in polyurethane applications.