The Yorkshire Laser and Fabrication team have more than 24 years’ worth of experience in CNC punching and with CNC folding machinery.
Our folding department is equipped with the latest technology meaning we are able to offer a range of different metal folding solutions, allowing us to select the most efficient and appropriate method to suit the individual needs of our customers.
We’re also extremely proud to have a workforce with a wide variety of tooling experience in different metal folding techniques and materials including specialists in hemming, deep goose necks, window tools, joggle tools, radius tools and various other form tools.
No matter the requirement, we’re sure to find a tooling solution to match.
What is CNC folding?
CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) folding is a manufacturing process that is carried out by a CNC machine and CNC press brakes and is also referred to as CNC bending. The press brake machine used in this process has a bending force of 32 tonnes so is capable of bending sheet metal work with ease. For this reason, most brackets, enclosures, electrical boxes and metal components are formed through the CNC folding process.
The CNC folding and bending process
Our press brake machinery has the strongest bending force and is used for bending sheet metals and plates. A piece of sheet metal is bent into shape when it is forced between two tools by a press brake. The upper tool, called the punch, pushes the sheet metal against the bottom tool, called the die enabling folds and holes to be produced to exact specifications.
The movement of the punch and die is controlled by the press brake, providing force via the use of hydraulic rams and electrical motors. The size and angle of the die as well as the punch are determined by the thickness of the sheet metal being used and the angles of the desired bend. Once the machine is operating, the punch forces the metal into the die and creates a shape.
Our machines have a fixed bottom bed and a down-stroking top rail and a CNC press brake with a programmable console into which the necessary data is entered. This controls the position of the backstop which in turn, controls the height and length of each bend. It can also quickly alter the height between the bottom bed and top rail, allowing the user to easily remove parts when formed. Because of the sophisticated technology, once the console is programmed, it can repeatedly form multiple bends with an extremely high degree of accuracy.
Yorkshire Laser’s CNC folding capabilities
All of our presses are top-of-the-range machines, allowing us to provide premium quality CNC folding services. We have three presses in total, all of which are programmed offline and guarantee total accuracy and quality results. Yorkshire Laser’s CNC folding capabilities include the following:
- Dynamically adjustable crowning to ensure bend accuracy the full length of the part;
- Dynamic pressure referencing to sense variations in material strength and thickness;
- Super-efficient high-speed hydraulic rams to speed up component time;
- Quick action tool clamping to dramatically reduce set-up times;
- Digi pro and BIS bend angle measurement devices to ensure parts are consistently bent to exactly the right angle;
- Perform multiple bends on complex parts
- Precision forming capabilities with simple parts and intricately designed components
- High volume production and reduced cycle times
- Full 3D controllers linking to offline 3D software generated programmes
- Easier and faster manufacturing process for prototypes and one-off components
- Up to 4 metres wide and 220 tons in hydraulic pressure
- Huge range of standard and non-standard tooling
- 24 hours a day, 5 days a week production
From design art to manufactured part with CNC folding
‘From art to part’ is the concept of designing a part in model space and then running this component through the press software, allowing us to quickly generate an accurate part blank size. As well as this, a folding programme that the operator can download on the press will highlight what tooling to use and how to fold the part.
The theory behind this concept is to get away from the bad old days of making a part, checking if it is suitable and then throwing it away before making another one with a slight adjustment. If you have an assembly with a lot of parts, you can only imagine what a long, slow and tedious scenario this is!
Look what our customers have to say
Luckily this is a thing of the past for Yorkshire Laser’s customers as our combination of expertise, software capability, steel fabrication, and laser cutting equipment and tooling guarantees you cost-effective results.
“Yorkshire Laser & Fabrication’s manufacturing advice together with having an all-round capability and on-time delivery is of great help to us.” – Alastair Coulbeck (managing director of a specialist supplier to the motor trade).