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CNC press brake programming · Lesson 3 of 4

CNC press brake programming: methods and worked application

The method from drawing to a checked, saved program, worked blank, gauge and penetration numbers from the Cincinnati charts, simulation and sequence rules, and an AFS drip edge written as a feature list with both angle readings.

You will be able to: Apply a documented method to build and check a press brake program for a simple part, recording inputs, units, assumptions, simulation and first-part inspection, and write an AFS profile as an ordered feature list.

11 min · 11 slides · 7 questions

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Slide 1 of 11

The documented method

Drawing; actual thickness confirmed; tooling; sequence; backgauge per step; simulate; safety settings; first part measured.

A first part out of tolerance is corrected and re-checked. During the run, Cincinnati says to correct only after two or more consecutive bad bends. Then decide on saving.

Each step leaves a record: the input, its unit and its source.

From drawing to a checked, saved program, and the AFS folder data pathTwo flows. Press brake: drawing and material; confirm the actual thickness; tooling from the library; bend sequence; backgauge position per step; simulate for collisions; review speed, mute point, stroke and force; first part; measure the bend angle; if the first part is not in tolerance, correct and re-check it, looping back to the first part; once it is in tolerance, run on, and during the run correct only if two or more consecutive bends are out of tolerance; decide whether to save and record it. AFS folder data path: draw in FlashDraft; live limit check; staff approval at AFS; sent to PathfinderEdge, with the returned profile number recorded; in the catalog the folder subscribes to; the folder collects it on its own poll; the first piece is checked against the drawing.CNC press brake (industry practice)Drawing and materialConfirm the ACTUAL thicknessTooling from the libraryBend sequenceBackgauge position per stepSimulate: any collisions?Speed, mute point, stroke, forceFirst partMeasure thebend angleFirst part intolerance?NoCorrect,re-checkYesDuring the run, correct only iftwo or more consecutive bendsare out of toleranceDecide whether to save; record itAFS folder data pathDraw it in FlashDraftLive limit checkStaff approval at AFSSent to PathfinderEdge; returnedprofile number recordedIn the catalog the folder subscribes toFolder collects it on its own pollFirst piece checked to the drawing

Two flows. Press brake: drawing and material, confirm the actual thickness, tooling, bend sequence, backgauge per step, simulation, safety settings, first part, the bend angle measured, then a decision: if the first part is out of tolerance it is corrected and re-checked, looping back to the first part; once it is in tolerance the run goes on, and during the run the program is corrected only if two or more consecutive bends are out of tolerance; then the save decision is recorded. AFS folder data path: draw in FlashDraft, live limit check, staff approval at AFS, sent to PathfinderEdge with the returned profile number recorded, in the catalog the folder subscribes to, collected by the folder on its own poll, first piece checked against the drawing.

The press brake flow follows Cincinnati and Bystronic; the thickness step is this module's own advice, because one gauge number can name several thicknesses. The AFS flow shows what is on record: it has no sequence step because how AFS's folder sequences a profile is not stated here.

Sources

Videos for this lesson

What this video shows: Per its description, the software proposes a bending program from 2D and 3D data, including NC code, with a 3D simulation and collision monitoring; manual changes are possible.

Video: TRUMPF Software: TecZone Bend - Offline Programming by TRUMPFtube, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

What this video shows: Per its description, AMS Controls' Pathfinder folding machine control uses automatic sequencing to make a simple drip edge. An AMS Controls demonstration, not AFS's Thalmann folder.

Video: Automatic Sequencing - Drip Edge by AMS Controls, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

Glossary

Offline programming
Building a press brake program away from the machine, from the drawing or 3D model: unfolding, tool choice, bend sequence and backgauge positions, as Bystronic describes it.
Bend simulation
A 3D run-through of the bend sequence in software that flags collisions between tools, machine and part before the program is sent; only as good as its tool data (WILA).
Bend allowance
The length of flat metal used up by a bend. Cincinnati's AE-103 chart gives BA = 1.57 x (R + T/3) for 15 ga and thinner mild steel at 90 degrees, as an approximation, and blank width = L1 + L2 + BA, where L1 and L2 are the flat leg lengths on either side of the bend, not outside (mold-line) dimensions.
Die penetration
How far the punch enters the vee die to make the angle. For a 90 degree air bend, Cincinnati gives about 40% of the vee opening.
Feature list
In AMS Controls' PathfinderEdge, the ordered list of Straights, Angles, Radii and hems that describes a profile from one edge of the blank to the other.