Metal Fabrication 101: Press Brakes

Press Break at Cogbill Construction
Plate bending, also known as sheet bending or metal bending, is a common and often critical metal fabrication process used to reshape flat metal plates into curved or angular forms. It involves applying force to a metal plate to induce plastic deformation, causing the material to bend or form into the desired shape.
Press brakes are an example of such machinery commonly used by metal fabricators to bend and shape metal sheets. They work by using a hydraulic or mechanical press to exert force on a metal sheet or plate, which is placed on a die. The die is designed to create the desired bend or angle in the metal, and the press applies the necessary force to achieve the desired result.
Bump-Rolling a Large Plate with Cogbill Construction 300 Ton Press Brake
Bump-Rolling a Large Plate with Cogbill Construction 300 Ton Press Brake
Press brakes come in various sizes, capacities, and configurations, and can bend sheets of different thicknesses and widths. They can also be equipped with various types of tooling, such as punches and dies, to create different shapes and angles in the metal. Some brakes are manually set, while others more advanced ones can be CNC (computer numerical control) controlled, for easy operation and repeatability.

Press brakes are used in a variety of metal plate fabrication applications, from creating simple bends in sheet metal to forming complex parts and components for machinery, vehicles, and other industrial equipment. They are commonly used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace, and others.

In addition to creating precise bends and angles, press brakes also offer several other advantages in metal fabrication. They can be used to create consistent, repeatable results, allowing for efficient production of large quantities of metal parts. They can also be used to create complex shapes and curves, making them versatile tools for a wide range of metalworking applications.
Pipe Clamp Fabrication at Cogbill Construction
Pipe Clamp Fabrication at Cogbill Construction

At Cogbill Construction, we take pride in our diverse range of bending capabilities, where each brake has its own distinct design, capacity, and tooling capabilities. While hand brakes prove efficient for bending thin sheet metal (gauge material), our hydraulic brakes at 350-ton capacity can seamlessly handle plates up to 1.5 inches in thickness, depending on plate length.

Our press brakes are extensively uses in various metal fabrication applications, manufacturing components such as electrical enclosures, brackets, panels, covers, signage, handrails, and guardrails. Moreover, our expertise extends to crafting ductwork, HVAC components, staircase components, lighting fixtures, reinforcement pads, pipe clamps, pipe hangers, metallic wear pads, strainers, cones, transitions, cyclones, chutes, trays, and so much more.

One of our standout achievements lies in our innovative in-house tooling for our hydraulic press brakes. Through this specialized tooling, we have perfected the art of “stamping” parts in a single step. This approach has significantly slashed production time while substantially enhancing productivity, quality, and safety. For instance, what once required 15-20 bending steps taking up to 30-45 minutes, can now be accomplished with a single pressing step, requiring no more than 30 seconds. To see this remarkable process in action, watch here in this video.

Manufacturing the Top of a Tank by Cogbill Construction
Manufacturing the Top of a Tank by Cogbill Construction

For comprehensive details on our bending capabilities and other fabrication services, we encourage you to reach out to Cogbill Construction, Phone: 409-768-1419 Email: Sales@CogbillConstruction.com

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