| accuracy |
The exactness of a measurement compared to the desired result. |
| air cylinder |
A pneumatic actuator that converts compressed air into mechanical energy. |
| angle bracket |
Metal components that are attached to a press brake for the purpose of increasing the width of the bed or ram. |
| approach speed |
The speed at which the ram moves from the open height to the pinch point. Approach speed is also called rapid approach. |
| back gage |
A press brake component that locates the workpiece from a point on the inside of the press brake. |
| bed top width |
A press brake specification that indicates the width of the bottom die area. The bed top width limits the size of the parts you can bend on a press brake. |
| bend depth |
A variable that describes how deep a bend is formed during a press brake operation. |
| bending speed |
The speed of the ram as it advances during the first part of the stroke height cycle. The bending speed is also called the forming speed or the press speed. |
| centimeters per minute |
In the metric or SI system, the number of centimeters that a press brake ram travels in one minute. Centimeters per minute is abbreviated cpm. |
| clearance |
The unintended space between two press components that forms as the result of wear. |
| closed height |
The vertical distance measured from the ram nose to the bed when the ram is fully closed. Closed height is also called the shut height. |
| CNC control |
A combination of software and hardware that directs the operation of a computer numerically controlled press brake. |
| compressor |
A component that pressurizes ambient air and directs it into a pneumatic system. |
| consistency |
The measure of how well a press brake can sustain its positioning over time. Consistency is also called repeatability. |
| crowning |
The process of damaging and deforming the bed of the press brake. Crowning can occur if full tonnage is exerted over a small, concentrated area of the bed. |
| cycle |
The time it takes for current to flow, pause, reverse direction, and pause again in an alternating current. |
| deflection |
The unintended movement or repositioning of a press brake component, such as a die, due to mechanical force or movement. Deflection of a die can cause inaccurate bends. |
| depth |
A press brake specification that indicates its front-to-back horizontal dimensions. |
| distance between housings |
The length in inches between the housing uprights. |
| down-acting |
Characterized by ram movement with the work portion of its cycle being performed on the way downward. Down-acting is also called downstroking. |
| downstroking |
Characterized by ram movement with the work portion of its cycle being performed on the way downward. Downstroking is also called down-acting. |
| dwell |
The duration that the press brake ram spends at the bottom of the forming stroke. Dwell is often used to account for float on hydraulic press brakes. |
| electric hydraulic press brake |
A hydraulic press brake that uses an electric motor for rapid travel. |
| electric mechanical press brake |
A mechanical press brake that uses an electric control on the mechanical flywheel to allow multiple speeds in a single stroke. |
| electric press brake |
A press brake that uses an electric motor drive to power the press brake with a high level of control. |
| electronic-hydraulic position press brake |
A hydraulic press brake with an electronic sensor that reads the position of the ram to control the amount of float in the hydraulic cylinders. |
| emergency stop |
Used for emergencies only, the control button that automatically shuts down all machine functions. |
| feature |
A press brake component designed to increase capability. Press brakes may have features built in or may have them added to the original configuration as options. |
| float |
The time it takes for the hydraulic cylinders to build up pressure and finish the bend during the bending portion of the press brake cycle. |
| flywheel |
The device on a mechanical press brake that spins continuously as the press is powered up. The flywheel stores the energy necessary to cycle the press when the clutch is engaged. |
| foot switches |
An operator control that requires press brake operators to insert their feet into a guard, and press buttons with their feet in order to move the ram. |
| footprint |
A specification that indicates the amount of floor space a machine occupies. |
| forming speed |
The speed of the ram as it advances during the first part of the stroke height cycle. The forming speed is also called the bending speed or press speed. |
| frequency |
A measurement of the number of complete AC cycles that occur in one second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz). |
| front gage |
A press brake component that locates the workpiece from a point outside the throat depth of the press brake. |
| gage |
A press brake component that allows the completion of high-quality parts within an acceptable tolerance by helping locate the workpiece in relation to the ram. |
| height |
A press brake specification that indicates its vertical dimensions. |
| hertz |
A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. Hertz is abbreviated Hz. |
| horsepower |
A unit of power used to describe motor strength. One horsepower equals 33,000 ft-lbs of work per minute, or 746 watts. |
| hydraulic cylinder |
A hydraulic actuator that converts hydraulic energy into linear mechanical energy. |
| hydraulic press brake |
A type of press brake that is powered by a hydraulic pump to move hydraulic cylinders and cycle the ram. |
| hydraulic pump |
A mechanical device used to move liquids in a hydraulic system. |
| hydro-mechanical press brake |
A press brake that uses hydraulic cylinders to drive a mechanical arm through the ram stroke. |
| inches per minute |
In the English system, the number of linear inches that a ram travels in one minute (ipm). |
| leaf brake |
A type of press brake that forms metal by raising and lowering a leaf bar. The leaf brake is a lighter-duty press brake used for lighter gauge steel. |
| light curtain |
A type of presence-sensing device that uses an optical mechanism to create a continuous beam of light around hazardous components. When the beam is interrupted by the operator's body, hand, or object, the machine stops cycling. |
| locator |
A press brake component that allows the creation of parts by locating the workpiece accurately relative to the ram. |
| manual control |
A press brake control that requires complete hands-on operation. |
| mechanical press brake |
A type of press brake that is powered by a spinning flywheel that stores energy. A mechanical press brake cycles when its clutch is engaged. |
| motor |
A machine that converts one form of energy, such as electricity, into mechanical energy or motion. |
| network capable |
A press brake option that allows personnel to deliver information to the press brake control via a computer network connection. |
| offline programming |
A press brake option that allows personnel to program a press brake away from the machine. |
| open height |
The vertical distance measured from the ram nose to the bed when the ram is opened to its maximum. |
| optical receiver |
A component of a light curtain that senses the beam of light from the transmitter. When the beam of light is broken, the press brake stops. |
| optical transmitter |
A component of the light curtain that projects the beam of light. When the beam of light is broken, the press brake stops. |
| option |
A press brake component or addition designed to increase capability. Options are extra features that are added to the original configuration of a press brake. |
| overall length |
The total length of the ram measured horizontally in feet or meters. |
| phase |
A measurement of the number of voltages in one cycle. Most electrical components are three-phase. |
| pinch point |
The point at which the top die touches the workpiece and presses it against the lower die. Pinch point is often called the retract depth. |
| pneumatic press brake |
A type of press brake that derives its power from an air compressor that moves air cylinders that supply force to the ram. |
| press speed |
The speed of the ram as it advances during the first part of the stroke height cycle. The press speed is also called the bending speed or forming speed. |
| prime mover |
The device that introduces energy into a power transmission system and converts the energy into the appropriate form. |
| ram |
The portion of the press brake that moves up and down to form and bend metal. |
| ram nose |
The part of the ram surface opposite the die clamp. On a press brake, the ram nose and the die clamp hold the die. |
| rapid approach |
The speed at which the ram moves from the open height to the pinch point. Rapid approach is also called the approach speed. |
| rapid retract |
The speed at which the ram moves away from a completed bend. Rapid retract is usually about 10 times faster than the hydraulic bending speed. |
| rear guarding |
A fence-like safety component that prohibits access to dangerous moving press brake components. If the rear guarding is opened, press brake operation ceases. |
| repeatability |
The measure of how well a press brake can sustain its positioning over time. Repeatability is also called consistency. |
| retract depth |
The point at which the top die touches the workpiece and presses it against the lower die. Retract depth is often called the pinch point. |
| return speed |
The speed of the ram as it retreats from performing a bend, at the second part of the stroke height cycle. |
| shipping weight |
A press brake specification that indicates its heaviness. |
| shut height |
The vertical distance measured from the ram nose to the bed when the ram is fully closed. Shut height is also called the closed height. |
| specification |
A description of an essential physical and technical property of a machine. Specs are the principle indicator of machine capability. |
| stroke height |
The vertical distance the ram travels as it cycles. The stroke height is the difference between the open height and the shut height. |
| three-phase |
A continuous series of three overlapping AC cycles offset by 120 degrees. Three-phase power is used for all large scale distribution systems. |
| throat depth |
The horizontal distance in the housing cutaway measured from the ram centerline to the housing body. |
| tolerance |
The unwanted but acceptable deviation from a desired dimension. Increasingly accurate dimensions require tighter tolerances. |
| tonnage |
A press brake specification that indicates the amount of force the press brake is able to deliver when performing a bend. |
| up-acting |
Characterized by ram movement with the work portion of its cycle being performed on the way upward. Up-acting is also called upstroking. |
| upstroking |
Characterized by ram movement with the work portion of its cycle being performed on the way upward. Upstroking is also called up-acting. |
| voltage |
The electrical force or pressure that causes current to flow in a circuit. Voltage is measured in volts. |
| volts |
The basic unit of measurement for electrical "pressure" or potential. |
| width |
A press brake specification that indicates its left-to-right or side-to-side horizontal dimensions. |