Press Brake FAQ

The main difference is the tool’s mounting tang. Each tool style has a unique way of attaching to the machine’s ram: hydraulics, pneumatics or manual clamps. All three styles offer families of fixed-height tools made from the same tool steels and heat-treated to the same standards.

European Precision Style offers the lowest purchase price and the largest variety but generally has much longer setup times. The overall tolerances are .0008″ for European Precision Style versus .0004″ for American Precision Style and Trumpf Willa Style. European Precision Style requires moving the clamp plates from the front to the back to reverse a tool. Further, European Precision Style requires manually seating the tools each time when a new setup is completed. Other than price, the big advantage of European Precision Style is that its tang isn’t symmetrical, allowing the tool to be set in an off-center position. This allows for greater clearance on the backside of the tool when forming.

Both American Precision Style and Trumpf Wila Style have symmetrical tang geometry, which allows for faster set-ups when changing a punch to the reverse position. The Trumpf Wila Style tang uses buttons to hold the tools in place before seating. American Precision Style with Maglock uses a magnetic system to seat the tools. Magnets are the safest. Buttons can fail and unexpectedly drop tools onto an operator if not carefully managed and maintained.

But remember, a press brake just goes up and down. Adapters can allow any machine and tool style to work in any environment. Utilizing a wide range of punches and dies across all three product lines can make you a top-tier fabricator.

V-opening is first determined by multiplying the material thickness (MT) by the 6-12x rule. Using air bending terms, for material 0.5 mm-2.5 mm use 6xMT; for material from 2.5 mm-8 mm use 8xMT; for material 8 mm-10 mm use 10xMT; and for material greater than 10mm use 12xMT.

You also need to consider the minimum flange size required for bending. Sometimes we have to “cheat” on the 6-12x rule to achieve a smaller bend, but keep in mind that you need to calculate and confirm a tonnage test before moving forward. Never go below 6xMT to ensure the bending is safe and to eliminate the risk of a die exploding.

Choosing a die opening can also be for aesthetic reasons. Some want a part with a tight bend, while others may want a bend with a larger radius. Also, if you are using a punch to drive an inside radius, you may need to choose a larger die to compensate for the space the large-radius tool will take up in the die. Also remember part marking: if a minimal flange can be achieved with larger shoulder radii, choose a die with the largest available shoulder radius.

Mate’s CleanBend works by forming material into a “V” shape by using cams in the lower die that follow the bend. In contrast, a standard V-die drags the material across the shoulder radius, which can create unwanted marks on the back side of a sheet.

Thanks to cams in the lower die that follow the material, we do not need a piece of material to cross the full width of the V, so with CleanBend we can achieve smaller flanges because we only have to go approximately halfway over the center line of the theoretical Vee opening.

What can the CleanBend die achieve that a traditional Vee die cannot? The answer in short is: smaller flanges, minimal to no part marking, angular bends (bends that run 45 degrees across a part from corner to corner), and greatly reduced hole distortion when bending holes and cutouts near an inside bend line.

Mate Precision Technologies’ 100% customer satisfaction guarantee means that if you are not fully satisfied with the product’s performance at any time, we will do whatever is necessary to address your concerns, including offering a full refund with no questions asked.

Mate press brake tooling is sold directly by Mate Precision Technologies. You may go here to get a quote, send an email to orders@mate.com or call us at 763-421-0230.

Mate Precision Technologies offers an extensive standard product line that can be delivered.

Yes, Mate Precision Technologies works with many of our customers to create custom press brake tooling specific to their needs.

It depends on the complexity of the design among other things. Some will take longer than others. Your Mate application specialist will be able to provide more information.

Mate Precision Technologies manufacturers press brake tooling at our company headquarters in Anoka, Minnesota.

Mate Precision Technologies’ products are produced from tool steels and with heat treatment processes that have been refined and proven for more than 30 years to provide the best tool performance and tool life.

Maglock is only available in American Precision Style tooling.

Mate Precision Technologies’ offers a variety of specials and accessories for our American Precision style, European Precision Style and Wila Trumpf Style tooling. Please see the Specials or Accessories tabs available on the main page of each type of tooling.

Mate Precision Technologies’ press brake tooling is only available for sale in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Please use our website’s “Find a Representative” tool to find your local representative.

You can find your local sales representative on our website’s “Find a Representative” tool.

Mate has a variety of accessories for our American Precision, European Precision and Wila Trumpf style tooling, including die adapters and extensions, punch adapter and polyurethane films/holder.

Mate press brake tooling is sold directly by Mate Precision Technologies You may go here to get a quote, send an email to orders@mate.com or call us at 763-421-0230.