In manufacturing and metal processing, in addition to the high requirements for the press brake machine itself and the operator, the press brake tooling is also crucial. Although the press brake tooling is a consumable, if we can use and maintain it correctly, the service life of the tool can be greatly extended.
Proper maintenance can not only improve production efficiency, but also reduce equipment failures and downtime, thereby saving costs. This article will introduce some practical suggestions on how to maintain the press brake tools to help you keep the equipment in the best condition.
3 reasons for the wear of press brake tools
In the process of using press brake machines, the wear of tools is inevitable. However, by understanding the main causes of wear, we can take effective measures to reduce wear and extend the service life of tools. The following are the three main reasons for the wear of press brake tools:
Improper storage of tools
If the press brake tools are not stored properly, the tools will be affected by environmental factors, which will accelerate wear. For example, the tools are exposed to humid or corrosive environments and are prone to rust and corrosion. In addition, if the tools are stored in unstable or uneven places, they may be damaged by friction or collision.
Therefore, a reasonable storage method is very important. According to statistics, the amount of losses in the bending machine mold development industry in terms of rust problems accounts for about 7.2% of the total output value of production enterprises. The impact of metal rust cannot be ignored.
Repeated operation of press brake tools without gloves
When operating a bending machine, repeatedly operating the tools without gloves will cause damage to the surface of the tools. The sweat and grease on the hands will corrode the tools, especially in the case of high-frequency operation, the surface of the tools may gradually be eroded and damaged.
To prevent this problem, operators should wear clean gloves to operate, reduce direct contact between the tool surface and the skin, and protect the surface integrity of the tool.
Metal flakes and residues left on the press brake tool after bending
During the bending operation, metal material chips and residues may adhere to the tool surface. If not cleaned in time, these residues will cause wear and scratches on the tool, affecting the accuracy and performance of the tool. For this reason, after each use of the tool, the metal flakes and residues on the tool surface should be carefully checked and cleaned to ensure the cleanliness and flatness of the tool surface and prevent the residue from continuing to damage the tool.
How to maintain and store press brake tools?
Special tool storage cabinet
Investing in a dedicated tool cabinet for press brake tools is an important measure to maintain the tools. Storing press brake tools in ordinary storage racks will expose them to dust and debris in the air, increasing the possibility of damage. In addition, ordinary storage racks do not provide good protection and the tools are susceptible to environmental influences.
Although handmade wooden storage units can provide individual slots for each press brake tool, wood contains moisture, which will promote rust and corrosion of tools. Therefore, handmade wooden storage units are not ideal.
Tool cabinets that store press brake tools horizontally and are separated by metal partitions are also not the best choice because the metal partitions may cause the tools to move when opening and closing drawers and placing punches and dies in and out of the cabinet, resulting in potential damage to the working surface of the tools.
Experience has shown that storing tools vertically in a press brake tool cabinet with individual tool slots using nylon, neoprene or polyurethane pads is the best way to store tools. This method not only stores tools in an orderly manner, but also provides the greatest degree of protection from potential damage.
Daily maintenance steps for press brake tools
1. Apply mold maintenance wax or maintenance oil to the tools, or apply it to an industrial scouring pad. It is very important to choose a scouring pad with moderate hardness and softness, because a scouring pad that is too soft may not be able to completely wipe the mold clean, and a scouring pad that is too hard may leave scratches on the mold.
2. The operator should wear gloves and hold the scouring pad to wipe along the height direction of the mold. When wiping, pay attention to only wiping in one direction, not rubbing back and forth, so as not to damage the mold surface.
3. After maintenance, wipe the maintenance wax or maintenance oil on the mold surface with a rag to ensure that the mold surface is clean and free of residue.
4. If there is no rust stain on the mold surface, you can spray the maintenance wax on the rag and then wipe the mold surface with the rag. This can prevent excessive maintenance wax from directly contacting the mold and keep the mold surface clean.
5. In the case of high air humidity or frequent use of the mold, it is recommended to perform maintenance every two days. On the contrary, in a dry environment or when the frequency of use is low, it can be maintained once a week. This flexible maintenance frequency can be adjusted according to actual conditions to ensure that the mold is always in good condition.
6. When loading and unloading the mold, the operator should wear gloves. This not only protects the hands, but also prevents the sweat and grease on the hands from corroding and contaminating the mold surface.
Things to note in bending work
In order to ensure that the bending work goes smoothly and extend the service life of equipment and tools, the following are some important matters that should be noted in bending work:
Clean the lower die groove and test
Before turning on the power of the bending machine, the iron chips in the lower die groove of the bending machine must be cleaned. This is to prevent the iron chips from damaging the mold and workpiece during the bending process. At the same time, before the formal bending, be sure to test to ensure that the equipment and mold are operating normally and check for potential problems.
Control the mold pressure
During the bending process, the downward pressure of the mold cannot exceed the bending critical point of the mold. If the pressure is too high, the mold may deform or even break. Therefore, the operator should reasonably adjust the pressure according to the material and thickness of the workpiece to ensure that the mold works within a safe range.
Choose the appropriate lower die groove size
When bending, the size of the lower die groove should be appropriate. A lower die groove that is too large or too small will affect the bending effect. An overly large lower die groove may cause inaccurate bending angles, while an overly small lower die groove may cause damage to the workpiece or wear of the mold. Therefore, the appropriate size of the lower die groove should be selected according to the specific size and requirements of the workpiece.
Clean the mold regularly and store it properly
After a day’s work, the bending machine mold should be cleaned to ensure that there is no residual metal chips or other impurities on the mold surface. For molds that are not used the next day, they should be properly placed in the mold cabinet to avoid environmental factors affecting the mold. This not only prolongs the service life of the mold, but also keeps the working environment clean and orderly.
About us
LMRM is the biggest press brake tooling manufacturer, committed to providing customers with high-quality and reliable bending machine tools. Our products use advanced manufacturing processes and high-quality materials to ensure that the tools can perform well in various working conditions.
Whether it is standard tools or customized solutions, LMRM can meet the diverse needs of customers and escort your production process. Choosing LMRM means choosing quality and trust.
