Press Brake Sheet Follower: Smart Support for Long, Thick, Thin Sheets

1. Introduction

In the modern sheet metal fabrication industry, press brakes enable precise and efficient bending, where sheet followers are essential for press brakes. This component not only improves the efficiency of turning, but also ensures the safety of the whole body, and it can prevent the plate from falling.

In this article, I will describe in detail what a press brake sheet follower is, and give a detailed description of its working principle, advantages and its daily application, so that we can understand how press brake sheet follower play a decisive role in our processing and production process.

2. What is a press brake sheet follower?

2.1 Definition of press brake sheet follower

The sheet follower mainly plays the role of supporting the plate in the process of bending, and it is a device installed on the brake press. Its function is mainly to prevent the deformation and movement of materials due to gravity or uneven force in the process of bending, avoid the accuracy caused by manual operation, and can improve the efficiency of processing and save operating costs, ensuring the quality of bending.

2.2 Main functional features

2.2.1 It is very suitable for large plate bending tasks

When processing large plates, multiple workers are required to operate, but if the press brake sheet follower is used, only one press brake operator is needed, the entire bending process can be easily completed, and it can also stably support large plates, effectively alleviating the problem of plate deformation, which not only reduces labor costs, but also reduces work intensity and improves production efficiency.

2.2.2 Equipped with automatic rotation and manual lifting shafts

The press brake sheet follower of the press brake can flexibly adjust the front and rear of the platform and the height adjustment, and can match different bending angles and the length of the plate. This reduces the workload of the operator and allows the operator to focus on the placement and alignment of the plate, which can effectively reduce the risk during operation.

2.2.3 Scratch-free surface with brush and roller table

Usually when bending thin plates, it is easy to sag, resulting in errors or deformation in the angle of the plate, so brushes, balls, etc. will be used on this, which can effectively protect the surface of the workpiece and prevent scratches, so as to improve the overall product quality and reduce secondary processing.

2.2.4 Independent PLC control with closed-loop feedback

The press brake sheet follower has independent PLC control, which can provide real-time feedback on the position through the laser sensor, and can work with bending precisely. For large workpieces such as electrical cabinets, manual operation is more troublesome, but the press brake sheet follower can be easily solved.

2.2.5 No electrical modification required, easy to install

The press brake sheet follower is operated independently through external power supply, and the installation is relatively convenient, will not interfere with the CNC control system and other parts of the brake press, can be processed quickly, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

2.2.6 Intelligent following function

It has built-in intelligent algorithms that can automatically detect and adjust the position of the board, and the operator does not need to perform additional programming, making its operation relatively simple.

2.2.7 High-precision sensor

It is equipped with high-precision sensors that can know the position of the plate and the bending angle in real time, so as to improve the quality of bending.

2.3 Sheet and slave structure of brake press

Sheet material followers are usually composed of support platforms, control systems, sensing components, servo drives and other components that work together to automatically adapt to different situations for production.

2.4 Press brake sheet follower alias

The press brake sheet follower is also called the front plate support, front support, front material support, front sheet followers, front sheet supports, sheet metal frontal supports, front supporter, etc.

3. The main advantages of press brake sheet follower

3.1 Automatic positioning

Because the press brake sheet follower has a material support system, it can automatically adjust and position the plate, and can also ensure that the plate is placed in the corresponding position during the bending process, which can improve the bending accuracy.

3.2 Improve bending accuracy

Usually thin plates are easy to deform during the bending process, so the press brake sheet follower will provide support under the plate to ensure that the bending angle of the plate is consistent with the expectation, thereby improving the quality of the product and reducing secondary processing.

3.3 Improve work and production efficiency

Because the sheet follower can be automatically positioned and supported, it can improve production efficiency, reduce human error, and shorten the entire processing time.

3.4 Suitable for complex shapes

Since the sheet follower has a follow-up support system, this function can handle complex shapes of plates and can be accurately positioned throughout the bending process, thus completing high-precision bending.

3.5 Versatility

The sheet follower has a drive pallet system, which can be used for different types, thicknesses, and sizes of plates, making the brake press more flexible and versatile.

3.6 High compatibility

Since the press brake sheet follower has a plug-and-play function, it can be quickly installed and is generally compatible with any brand of press brake.

3.7 Reduce the scrap rate of materials

Because the front support material can reduce the waste caused by manual error or material movement, especially the more expensive plate, greatly reduce the production cost and improve the work efficiency.

3.8 Reduce labor intensity and operator fatigue

Because the front drag material can automatically bend the material, it reduces the labor intensity of the staff, effectively relieves the fatigue of the operator, and reduces the personnel danger caused by bending.

3.9 Enhance security and reduce operational risks

If there is no plate tracker, large plates may slide, rebound, or easily cause injuries to operators, which can effectively improve the safety of operations and reduce operating accidents.

3.10 Assist in large-size and heavy plate operations

For bending large or heavy plates, traditional workers may not be able to accurately support them. The front defeeding can support large and heavy plates very well, and will not cause the plate to move, ensuring the stability of the plate in the process of turning, so as to complete efficient and complex bending.

3.11 Extend the life of the equipment and facilitate maintenance

Because the press brake sheet follower can reduce the wear of sliders, dies and backstocks, it can effectively extend the service life of the press brake, and the maintenance cost is reduced due to the design of lubrication parts.

4. How does a press brake sheet follower work?

4.1 Working principle

The press brake sheet follower mainly uses sensors, servo control and PLC programming system to make them cooperate with the brake press to ensure that the press brake achieves high-precision bending.

4.2 Operation steps

First of all, the operator needs to put the plate on the front support, and then adjust the height and position of the plate through the servo motor, as well as the movement of the front support up and down, back and forth, so that it is aligned with the brake press.

When the brake press bends the plate, the plate will follow the movement of the press brake, and move appropriately, so as to ensure the stability of the plate, the front drag material is operated independently, and the other system of the press brake is not connected with the electricity, after the bending is completed, the plate will be safely removed, and the bending of the plate will be observed.

5. What are the main types and configurations of press brake sheet followers?

5.1 Cantilever press brake sheet follower

It is mounted directly on the frames on both sides of the brake press and is supported by a cantilever. It is usually necessary to be equipped with a servo motor for movement, which can support the adjustment of the angle.

It is mainly used in large plate bending, suitable for high-precision batch production, and usually needs to be used with CNC press brakes. Its advantage is that it mainly does not take up space, can be directly connected to the rack, and has better resistance. And it is exposed to the outside for easy repair.

5.2 Trolley type press brake sheet follower

It mainly has an independent base, with walking wheels, which can be moved flexibly in different press brakes, and it can be manually or electrically lifted to support the platform, which is generally used in small and medium-sized enterprises, for mass production, and multiple machines can share a set of press brake sheet followers.

5.3 Types of Applicable Materials

Plate followers are generally suitable for steel, aluminum and other metals. When bending steel, it is necessary to consider the thickness, hardness and bending radius of the steel to avoid damage to the plate due to excessive bending, while aluminum is light, and may be deformed in the process of bending, so an appropriate bending radius is required, and aluminum needs to protect its surface to prevent scratches.

6. Application of press brake sheet follower

6.1 Longboard bending

6.1.1 Application scenarios and challenges

In the process of bending, due to the longer plate, it is easy to sag due to its own weight, resulting in uneven bending angles and easy errors. Therefore, usually the operator needs to lift the plate manually, which is easy to cause the operator to be unsafe, and is generally used in aviation and construction.

6.1.2 Follower features

It provides support to the plate so that it can operate synchronously with the slide of the press brake, preventing deformation due to the sliding of the plate, improving the accuracy of bending, and reducing secondary processing.

6.2 Bending of thick plates

6.2.1 Application scenarios and challenges

Because thicker plates are difficult to handle when bending, they need to be manually placed and difficult to position accurately. If it is operated manually, it is easy to cause bending errors and affect subsequent assembly. It is generally used in high bridges and construction machinery.

6.2.2 Follower features

It can provide stable support, and can avoid the sliding of the plate, causing accidental injuries to personnel, and can also achieve automatic tracking and adjustment through the intelligent control system, so as to improve the accuracy of bending.

6.3 Bending of ultra-thin plates

6.3.1 Application scenarios and challenges

In the process of bending, the thin plate may rebound due to uneven force, which will eventually affect the quality of molding, and is generally used in the home appliance industry, machine shells, etc.

6.3.2 Follower features

It can automatically adjust the angle of the support, reduce the rebound of bending, and prevent scratches on the surface of the material, which can affect the appearance of the finished product.

7. Factors that should be considered when purchasing a press brake sheet follower

7.1 Compatibility with different brake press models

First of all, it is necessary to confirm that the sheet follower is compatible with the model of the existing press brake. Different brands of press brakes require different types of interfaces and control logic. Secondly, it is necessary to ensure that the equipment can be seamlessly connected to the press brake to avoid later changes. Finally, you need to query the information to confirm whether the equipment is suitable for different models.

7.2 Load Capacity

First, it is necessary to ensure that the selected follower can bear the weight required by the plate, and secondly, it is necessary to confirm the follower, the supported bending angle, which can ensure that the complex turning angle is completed, and finally according to the size of the material being processed, the appropriate table size and extendable length are selected to provide the necessary plate support.

7.3 Control System

Since the follower is equipped with an independent control system, it can quickly receive signals. The high-end models also have a human-machine interface, which is easy to operate and monitor, ensuring that operators can quickly adjust and achieve accurate cutting through real-time monitoring.

7.4 Platform Material

Due to the different materials, some materials may be relatively thin, which is easy to cause scratches on the surface, so it is necessary to be equipped with rollers and brush surfaces, which can effectively avoid scratches and damage to the plate, and can also make the tool wear-resistant and rust-proof, so as to extend the service life of the equipment.

7.5 Ease of installation

Because the press brake sheet follower is plug and play, the installation is also more convenient and will not waste a lot of time, thus reducing labor costs.

7.6 Whether it is necessary to modify the original control system

First, confirm whether the original CNC control system needs to be changed, and if so, evaluate the technical difficulty and cost in advance.

7.7 Regulation and Safety

First of all, it is necessary to ensure that the press brake sheet follower meets the relevant standards of the industry, whether it is highly protected, whether it is equipped with panic buttons, overload protection and other safety devices.

7.8 Brand and after-sales service

First of all, it is necessary to confirm whether the manufacturer provides installation and commissioning, regular maintenance, and replacement of accessories, it is best to choose a good brand with a reputation in the bending industry, such as RAYMAX, and also need to consider whether there is after-sales, if there is a problem with the machine, this can be repaired at the door, so that the machine can run for a long time.

7.9 Budget and return on investment

In addition to the initial cost, operational costs also need to be considered. If you choose a high-quality press brake sheet follower, you can reduce the need for personnel, reduce the possibility of scrap, and improve production efficiency, so it is recommended to evaluate the return on investment based on your own situation, whether it is worth the investment.

8. Summary and suggestions

The above content shows what a sheet follower is, its advantages and its main application aspects. Since each company has different types of plates and different bending requirements, the equipped sheet followers need to be customized according to their own requirements.

However, RAYMAX has rich experience in sheet metal processing, it can be customized according to customer requirements, and also provides after-sales, as well as technical support, if you are interested in sheet followers, welcome to consult our raymaxtech.com website, we will provide you with professional services 24 hours a day.

9. FAQ