Mate CleanBend Forming Technology


How Mate CleanBend Forming Technology Enables High-Quality Sheet Metal Forming

Mate Precision Technologies CleanBend™ forming technology is designed to enable high-quality sheet metal forming using rotating supports. The process mimics a folding operation. The result is a clean bend with minimal to no marking of the sheet metal.

Primary Uses and Applications of CleanBend

  • Bending a short flange
  • Bending a flange to a diagonal sharp
  • Bending across preexisting holes
  • Bending across a notch or gap
  • Bending sensitive or delicate materials
  • Bending highly polished materials
  • Bending painted or coated surfaces
  • Bending materials with foil or plastic coverings
  • Bending tread plate

Multiple Press Brake Styles Work with CleanBend

  • European Precision Style tooling configured with a rail for self-centering dies
  • European Precision Style tooling configured for insert-style dies
  • Wila Trumpf Style die holders
  • American Precision Style die holders (adaptor required)

Technology Sizes Available for CleanBend

The sizes of Mate CleanBend forming technology are defined by the equivalent V opening of a standard V die, and include the following:

  • 8mm (0.315″)
  • 10mm (0.394″)
  • 12mm (0.472″)
  • 15mm (0.591″)
  • 16mm (0.630″)
  • 24mm (0.945″)
  • 27mm (1.063″)
  • 30mm (1.181″)

Best Practices for CleanBend

  • Use an acute angle press brake punch
  • Use the center of the die to distribute the force as equally as possible across the die. Avoid side loading
  • Use at least 50% of the die to avoid concentrated loads, which can damage the tool and the machine
  • Check that the piece part is clean and burr-free
  • Follow recommended maintenance practices

Note: Not all sizes are available for all brake types

Mate CleanBend Force Factor and Maintenance

Force Factor Adjustment for Mate CleanBend

Because the springs that enable the Mate CleanBend™ forming technology to function also exert a resisting force to the downward force of the brake, an adjustment to the force calculation should be made. Using a standard V die and punch combination on a given material as a basis for calculating tonnage, increase the force value by the following factor to account for the effect of the springs.

  • Mild steel should be adjusted up by 1.5
  •  Stainless steel should be adjusted up by 2.0

How to Maintain and Lubricate CleanBend

  • Inspect and lubricate every 20,000 cycles of normal use
  • Every 10,000 cycles is recommended in dirty, extreme or heavy-duty environments
  • Lubricate and maintain all working surfaces, especially areas where rotation occurs
  • Keep working surfaces clean of dirt or shavings that can interfere with the smooth rotating action of the working surfaces
  • Lubricate springs and spring cavities
  • Use an industrial grade lubricant
  • Springs are accessible from the outside for easy maintenance and lubrication. No special tools are required

Step 1: Expose the rotating working surfaces for lubrication

Step 2: Cycle the brake to engage and rotate the die

lubrication-cb-pbt

Step 3: Distribute an industrial-grade lubricant over the exposed surface. Repeat every 20,000 cycles of normal use