The benefits of purchasing a new metal folding machine

Sheet metal folders have been around for a long time in the manufacturing industry since the first models started populating workshops in the ’90s. They are used for bending sheet metal of various thicknesses and sizes, from different angles.

Metal folders perform metal bending, a process by which metal deforms when applying force to the subject, which causes it to bend at an angle and form the anticipated shape. This process works for a wide range of materials such as mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, etc. The machine clamps and forms the metal in the desired shapes, delivering several results such as V-shapes, U-shapes or others.

Sheet metal folding machines play an essential role in fabrication and manufacturing because of their precise, accurate, and aesthetic finish. New models and technologies erupting are evolving metal folders and making them a must for every fabrication shop.

Let’s discuss the key benefits of metal folding machines and what it means to have one in your plant

Ergonomic operations

Folding machines come with an integrated supporting back gauge. A back gauge’s main function is to position with precision a metal sheet for forming. It will support the weight of the sheet metal so that the operator does not need to. Their design cancels the need to push massive sheets through from the front of the machine, which is a tiring job and one that operators cannot do it accurately. A back support gauge also eliminates the need to have more than one operator monitoring the machine, making work more efficient.

Bidirectional Bending

Decades ago, bending beams swung only upward, which means they could only create a positive bend. If an operator needed to create a bend in the other direction, he needed to flip the whole piece. This can be easily done when operators are handling small size materials, but what about large pieces?

Turning and flipping is unnecessarily time-consuming. After all, the primary reason fabricators invested in a folding machine in the first place was to bend large parts. Thanks to new technologies, folding machines have a bidirectional (up and down) folding beam and can accomplish this with little to no manual intervention.

To learn more about our range of folding machines, please leave us a message or schedule a call with our team.

Accuracy

Sheet metal folders bend metal through compression and tension. The outer part of the sheet undergoes tension and elongates while the inner part compresses and shortens. This folding method makes it possible to achieve an accurate bending process in angle bends, complicated bends, or critical edges.

Another great ability of metal folding machines is to make small bends on large pieces of sheet metal. However, operators should respect the folder’s technical specs and profiles’ measurements at all times. This will provide that cutting accuracy and exact shape they’re looking for.

When they are combined well together, the sheet metal will turn out accurate and the process will be efficient. Any number that is not compatible with the kind of metal folder you have, will just overwork the machine, complicate your work, and leave you unsatisfied with the results.

You can learn more about the accuracy and diversity of sheet metal bending by asking for a machine’s folding capacity. Feel free to contact us and we will guide you toward the best solution.

Labour Efficiency

In folding, there are not many tooling changeouts that can create downtime in the setup. A folder’s tools can bend any angle and any sheet thickness that the machine is rated for. This maximizes efficiency in duty cycles and eliminates the need for frequent inspections of the device by operators, saving their time.

This, however, doesn’t mean that there are no tool changes or tool variety. Tool changes usually are needed to avoid the distortion of sheet metal during folding, especially in thicker materials of over 5 mm or other complicated workpieces.

The rotating combi beam is a technology that’s been around since 1987. This feature enables the machine with automatic tool changes, giving the ability to have a 30-degree sharp tool for linear bends. At the same time, gives the opportunity for 4-sided forming.

Aesthetics

Folding machines create a scratch-free outcome. A metal folder “air-bends”, meaning that the machine system doesn’t bottom or coin the material. Because of this, there is little to no wear in tooling for most folding applications.

Also, they can produce an aesthetically pleasing product without tearing, stretching, or cutting. When a sheet metal goes through a folding machine, be it fragile, bright, or coated, the product will be mar-free, without damages or spoils.

Reduced Labour

On a folding machine, the sheet metal lies in the bed of the gauging table. This allows a single operator to place and position the metal on the clamping beams and bending beams. This, in turn, can save on labour costs and reduce cycle times.

If you’re using a press brake to process a metal sheet, and you need two operators to manage that sheet of metal, this means you need a folding machine instead of a press brake. You will have less downtime and two workers that can contribute to other areas of the plant. But the differences between these two machines are much more than that. To learn more about them, read our dedicated article on the topic; “Do I need a press brake or a folding machine for my plant?”

Conclusion

A decade ago, metal folding machines couldn’t do what they are capable of doing now. And ten years later, new technologies will definitely make folding more effective and efficient. While CNC folding exists, experts say in the future, things will get even more automated, and way more digital. Folding machine systems will be easier to operate and require minimal human guidance, giving peace of mind in day-to-day productivity and more space for management and planning.

It is crucial to choose a piece of metal folding machinery, depending on your specific needs. If you’re considering investing in a new folding tool to increase your output quality, make sure to consult with professionals that will help you make the right decision.

Our experienced team at RS machinery can help you understand your key pain points, highlight your needs, and guide you towards the right fit for your business. Would you like to read more of our content?

Visit our website for more information, browse our folding automation product range, or request a one-on-one call with our consultants.