What Is a 3 Axis Press Brake? Complete Guide to Structure, Benefits & Selection

1. Introduction

The press brake is a kind of metal sheet, bending and forming equipment, it through the pressure generated between the upper film and the lower film, to process the plate, can bend out the set shape, and in the manufacturing industry, there are many applications, is one of the core equipment of plate forming.

The 3 axis press brake is the entry point for most companies, which can not only meet the needs of most parts processing, but also control the initial and maintenance costs. This article will mainly introduce what a 3 axis press brake is, and which three axes are 3 axis press brakes, and make a detailed analysis of these three axes, and also introduce the working principle of 3 axis press brakes, as well as its advantages and disadvantages, and tell you how to choose the right press brake for you.

2. What is a 3 axis press brake?

Definition of 3 axis press brake

A 3 axis press brake is a device that realizes precise bending by controlling three independent axes of motion, of which three independent axes are X axis, Y axis and R axis/V axis.

Among them, the X axis is used to control the front and back movement of the back gauge, the Y axis is used to control the up and down movement of the slider, and the R axis is used to control the up and down movement of the back gauge, some manufacturers will use the compensation axis (V axis) as the third axis, its main role is automatic compensation, it is coordinated with the other three kinds of coordinated movement, so as to improve the accuracy of bending.

Basic structure of 3 axis press brake

Comparison points with traditional 2 axis press brakes

For complex parts processing, it is usually recommended to have a 3 axis press brake, its main advantage is that it can bend complex geometries, can achieve multiple bends, and the angle and position of the bending are very accurate, the fixture can also be flexibly adjusted, and can also reduce manual intervention, improve production efficiency, and its cost is also lower than the price of four axes and above.

3. Detailed explanation of the functions of each axis of the 3 axis press brake

Y axis (or Y1/Y2)

It is mainly responsible for the vertical positioning of the plate, as well as the movement between the upper die and the lower die, and also affects the clamping degree of the die, as well as the position of the plate in and out.

Some models can divide the Y axis into Y1 and Y2, equipped with two servo motors respectively, and independently control the two sides of the slider, which can achieve more accurate positioning, as well as the clamping degree of the slider, which can ensure the consistency of the bending angle.

X axis

The X axis mainly controls the front and rear movement and positioning of the back gauge, and it can accurately position the plate to the position to be processed through the movement of the X axis. Moreover, it can also be automatically and quickly positioned, which can avoid manual errors and improve production efficiency, so that the bending accuracy will be more accurate.

R-Axis (or V-Axis)

The R axis mainly controls the up and down movement of the rear feed, which can achieve additional compensation and angle adjustment, through the adjustment of the position of the rear feed, can improve the accuracy of the edge of the workpiece, and the R axis can compensate for the bending path to reduce the error, and it can also support multiple processes of continuous bending, reduce the repeated change of tools, not only that, the V axis can achieve automatic compensation, so as to ensure the accuracy of the bending angle.

4. How does a 3 axis press brake work?

Working principle

The 3 axis press brake should accurately control the three axes of X axis, Y axis and R axis through the CNC control system, so that the slider, press brake sheet follower and back gauge can cooperate to achieve high-precision bending.

Brief process

First, put the metal sheet on the middle line between the upper die and the lower die, clamp and fix the plate through the clamp to ensure that the plate will not move in the process of bending, and then the upper die and the lower die, form a fixed bend of the plate, through different tools, to determine the angle of bending and the bending radius.

Then under the operation of the CNC control system, the slider passes through the Y axis, begins to move downward, the upper die gradually presses the plate into the notch of the lower die, and then the X axis, Y axis and R axis, 3 axis move together to complete the positioning, angle control and pressure control, when the slider is lifted, the shape of the bending has been formed, some models have a V axis, it has a deflection compensation function, can ensure the uniformity of bending, when the bending is completed, open the fixture, take out the finished product.

Advantages of 3 axis collaboration

Through the X, Y, R 3 axis linkage, it can complete the complex shape of Z-shaped, stepped, and crimped, and the R axis plays a supporting role when avoiding the bending, which can reduce the artificial spacer, and repeatedly adjust the height, and through the 3 axis coordination, most of the workpieces can be bent out of the required shape at one time, which can reduce the cost and time of secondary processing, not only that, but also reduce the error of human eye judgment, it can also be closed-loop control, and keep the positioning stable. At the same time, it is consistent with the workpiece of the same batch.

5. What are the core advantages and limitations of 3 axis press brakes?

Advantages

Limitations

Typical application industries and part types

Sheet metal processing factories are often used in manufacturing, mechanical equipment shells, sheet metal shells, cabinets, etc., and in home appliance manufacturing, can bend washing machines, refrigerators and other metal shells, the construction industry can manufacture doors and windows, decorative plate forming, it can not only carry out single bending, but also multi-curve bending, generally suitable for bending thin materials, as well as materials with medium bending radius.

6. 3 axis vs 2 axis, 4 axis, 6 axis press brake and above: how to choose?

2 axis press brake

2 axis press brake usually only has X axis and Y axis, its configuration is relatively simple, the cost is relatively low, suitable for intuitive bending, generally used in simple straight line, single angle, bending point less bending, and needs to be stable in the production line, the shape can not be changed frequently, the control of the two axis is more direct, and easy to maintain, but for complex bending is more limited, flexibility is not good.

3 axis press brake

3 axis press brake is generally to control X/Y/R three axes, it can bend complex workpieces, can meet the needs of most conventional bending, and can also bend a certain degree of curve, if the budget is limited, the 3 axis press brake is a better choice, its flexibility is relatively high, and its application range is relatively wide.

4 axis press brake

The common 4 axis press brake is X/Y/R/V, these four axes it increases the compensation of the bed, as well as the adjustment of the back gauge up and down, due to the function of V axis has compensation, it can further improve the consistency of the angle of the workpiece, thereby improving the accuracy of bending, generally suitable for fine rear guide control, as well as complex bending paths, and the stability of bending is also very high.

6 axis press brake

The 6 axis has more Z1/Z2 axis than the 4 axis press brake, which can make the rear feed move left and right, so as to achieve more accurate control of the backstock material, it can also improve the accuracy of complex contours, can support irregular bending, and can achieve automated processing, but its cost will be relatively high, generally suitable for complex multi-batch production.

8 axis press brake

The 8 axis adds X1/X2 and R1/R2 on the basis of the six axes, which can move left and right independently, as well as up and down independently, which can realize the precise control of the back gauge, can process irregular workpieces, and can also change the film automatically, as well as offline programming, but its cost is the highest, the programming is more complicated, and the technical requirements for the operator are very high.

Related Reading: Press Brake Buyers Guide: Expert Tips to Select, Compare, and Buy with Confidence

Forms

7. How can I tell if I need a 3 axis press brake?

Processing Requirements

First of all, according to the thickness and length of the plate, choose the appropriate machine weight and the length of the worktable to avoid incomplete bending due to insufficient press brake tonnage.

CNC system controller

When choosing a CNC system controller, try to choose multi-step bending, as well as automatic compensation, and the interface is relatively friendly and simple to operate, which can not only reduce the training cost of operators, but also improve work efficiency.

Mold Compatibility

It is necessary to consider whether the tool of the press brake can be replaced with a customized tool or a standard tool, so as to avoid limiting the bending due to the subsequent replacement of the tool, and a good tool can reduce wear and improve the accuracy of bending.

Brand and after-sales

It is recommended to choose an experienced brand manufacturer, such as RAYMAX, which not only has complete after-sales service, but also ensures that the equipment is relatively stable, if your workpiece is of medium thickness, it is recommended that you choose a 3 axis press brake.

Consider a 3 axis press brake

If you have a limited budget and few parts to process, and it is simple, it is recommended that you choose a 3 axis press brake, which is more cost-effective.

Consider higher axis counts

If you need multiple angles, many bending points, and are more complex, it is recommended that you choose a higher number of axes, which can not only speed up the work efficiency, but also achieve the consistent bending of the workpiece.

8. Summary and Purchase Suggestions

From the above introduction, it can be seen that the 3 axis press brake is a very cost-effective equipment, which not only takes into account flexibility, but also takes into account high precision, which can not only meet the needs of most sheet metal processing, but also control costs.

Generally, small and medium-sized enterprises have more choices, compared with 4 axis and above press brakes, 3 axis press brakes are more suitable for medium complex parts processing, if you want to process more complex and multi-bending workpieces, it is recommended to choose four axis and above press brakes. Compared with traditional press brakes, 3 axis press brakes can reduce manual dependence and improve production efficiency.

When you choose to buy, you need to know the specific outline of the processed workpiece, as well as the number of bending points, so as to evaluate whether the 3 axis press brake is suitable for bending, and then estimate the scale of processing.

When your budget is not sufficient, you can choose a 3 axis press brake, and if the follow-up budget is sufficient, you can expand to a four-axle press brake or more. It is recommended that you contact the press brake manufacturer to evaluate the workpiece on site to see if you can use a 3 axis press brake to bend, and then ask whether the number of axes can be added in the future, and whether it can be automated.

The press brake manufacturer can provide the experimental report of the bending of the 3 axis press brake for the same type of workpiece, as well as whether the processed material is in line with the actual application and whether the bending accuracy is accurate.

If you have any other confusion about the 3 axis press brake, it is recommended that you consult our RAYMAX website, we will answer you one-on-one, and make customized suggestions according to your situation.

9. FAQ