Sheet Metal Brake

Sheet Metal Brake
Dept: / Multi-department / Laboratory: / Student Machine Shop / Rm: / HML High Bay
Authored by: / ______
Dick Sevier, Research Support Engineer Date:
Reviewed and Approved by: / ______
Matt Lundgren, EH&S Lab Safety Officer Date:
Filename: / Sheet Metal Brake 14-Oct-11.doc / Revision: / 1
Procedure Type / Process/Protocol / Chemical / Hazard Class
Brief Overview & Scope / This procedure provides general instructions on how to use the sheet metal brake. The brake is used to make a straight fold in a piece of sheet metal. The material is placed between the die finger and the table and clamped into place. To create the fold, the apron handle is raised so that the bending angle comes from below the sheet metal and lifts it, creating a fold at the tip of the fingers. A counterweight system is used to reduce the force needed to raise the apron.The angle of the fold is determined by how high the apron handle is raised.
This document describes typical operations only; consult a shop supervisor if you need to perform an operation not described here. Maintenance and setup of the tool are beyond the scope of this document due to the skill required and diversity of tools and processes associated with these operations.
Potential Hazards /
  • Crush or other injury to fingers or handwhen placed between die fingers and table when clamping sheet metal.
  • Crush or other injury to fingers or hand when placed between bending angleand die fingers when apron is raised.
  • Injury due to falling counterweight if loose
  • Cuts to fingers when handling sheetmetal

Engr. Controls / none
PPE / Safety glasses, gloves, non-slip, close-toed shoes
Add'l Equipment, Tools: / none
Mat’ls, Supplies: / none
Add’l Training Requirements /
  • All mandatory shop training modules
  • Hands-on training for this tool

Special Requirements:
Handling & Facilities / n/a
Spill & Incident / n/a
Decontamation/ Waste Disposal / n/a
Sources/
References / Some content for this procedure have been taken from the user manual for National floor brake.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tool Components

General Tool Safety Rules

COMMON Tasks

1.Folding Sheet Metal......

2.Removing or Changing Position of Die Fingers......

3.Cleanup......

Tool Components
General ToolSafety Rules
  1. Safety glasses are required to use this tool.
  2. Before using, tie back long hair and tuck under shirt, roll up long sleeves, and remove loose clothing.
  3. WARNING:Take care to keep fingers away from bending angle as apron arm is lifted. Also, take care to keep fingers betweendie finger assembly and material when material is clamped.Failure to keep fingers and other body parts away from these areas may result in injury or loss of finger or body part.
  4. WARNING: Use gloves when working with heavy pieces of sheet metal or pieces with sharp edges, to prevents cuts to hands.
  5. Do not use any machine in which a guard or cover has been removed. Contact the shop supervisor immediately.
  6. Maintain a safe working area free of people or other obstruction of 5' on sides and 10' in front and 10' behind machine.
  7. Wear slip-resistant shoes to maintain a secure footing and balance.
  8. Take care to not allow the workpiece to become so hot it burns your fingers if it is handheld.
  9. Material limitations:
  • Max thickness: 12 gauge (0.113" / 2.9 mm max)
  • Max. width: 50"
  • Acceptable materials: mild (low carbon) steel, aluminum.
WARNING:Do not attempt to cut stainless steel, spring (high carbon) steel or brittle materials with this machine or injury and/or damage to equipment may result.
  1. If you have any questions about this tool or its use, stop what you are doing and ask a shop supervisor.

COMMON Tasks
1.Folding Sheet Metal
  1. WARNING:When handling pieces of handling sheet metal or pieces with sharp edges, put on leather or cloth gloves to keep from cutting your fingers.
  2. Mark a line where you would like to inside of fold the sheet metal.
  3. Raise both left and right clamp levers to lift the die fingers from the table.
  4. Slide thematerial between the table and die assembly until the mark shows at the edge of the die fingers.
  5. Lower both left and right clamp levers to clamp the material between the die fingers and the table.
  6. Stand in front of the machine, staying clear of the apron counterweight arms.
  7. Lift the apron lever up to bring the bending angle up to create the fold. Continue lifting until the desired angle is achieved. (Note: max angle is approximately 120 degrees).
  8. After the fold is made, raise both left and right clamp levers to lift the die fingers from the table and remove the material from the tool.

2.Removing or Changing Position of Die Fingers
  1. Your workpiece may have features (other folds, tabs, etc.) that may interfere with the die fingers as it is clamped in place.
  2. If possible, plan ahead on the sequencing of folds for your work to make sure all folds can be made. For example, fold shorter tabs or features before folding longer ones.
  3. When there is an interference with existing folds that require removal of some dies, loosen the bolts that hold those fingers and remove those dies and set aside.
  4. Loosen other dies and slide into the desire position. Take advantage of the different finger widths to best place fingers along the entire width of the fold. Create small, even gaps as needed between fingers to achieve fold width. Tighten bolts once in place.
  5. Make fold as described in previous section, but pay extra attention to make sure existing folds/tab do not interfere with die fingers.
  6. When done, replace die fingers in original position.

3.Cleanup
  1. There should be cleanup associated with this tool.

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