Why Does Bendmax Focus on Strict Process Control During Press Brake Tooling Production?

In sheet metal fabrication, press brake tooling quality directly affects bending accuracy, production efficiency, and the surface quality of finished parts. Even when using high-precision press brake machines, poor tooling can lead to inconsistent angles, premature wear, or surface marks on the workpiece.

To ensure consistent performance and long service life, Bendmax implements a strict 12-step production process. From raw material selection to final delivery, every stage is carefully controlled to guarantee stable tooling quality and reliable bending results.

Bendmax Press Brake Tooling Production Process (12 Steps)

1. Press Brake Tooling Design

The production process begins with professional tooling design. Bendmax engineers evaluate the customer’s bending requirements, including sheet thickness, material type, bending radius, and forming sequence.

Based on these factors, engineers determine whether standard tooling can meet the application or if custom forming tools should be developed to improve bending efficiency and precision.

2. Raw Material Selection

The durability of press brake tooling begins with the quality of its raw materials.

Bendmax uses forged 42CrMo alloy steel (42CrMo4) because of its excellent balance of:

• high strength

• strong toughness

• wear resistance

• fatigue resistance

To ensure material reliability, Bendmax provides material certification from suppliers and third-party testing verification.

3. Body Hardening

After material preparation, the tooling undergoes salt bath quenching and tempering.

This controlled heat treatment process stabilizes the internal structure and brings the tool body hardness to HRC 30–35, ensuring high structural toughness and reducing the risk of cracking under heavy bending loads.

4. CNC Milling

The tooling blanks are then machined using high-precision CNC machining centers.

This process ensures:

• accurate punch and die profiles

• repeatable production across batches

• tight dimensional tolerances

CNC milling forms the fundamental geometry required for further finishing operations.

5. Surface Deep Hardening

The working areas of the tooling undergo induction hardening.

During this process, the surface is heated to 850–950°C, significantly improving wear resistance. The working surface hardness reaches HRC 54–60, allowing the tooling to withstand repeated bending cycles without excessive wear.

6. Sandblasting

After heat treatment, the tooling surface is treated through sandblasting.

This process provides several advantages:

• improved resistance to surface scratches

• reduced internal machining stress

• better long-term stability

It also creates a uniform surface finish similar to that used by leading international tooling manufacturers.

7. Precision CNC Grinding

Grinding is one of the most critical stages in press brake tooling production.

Bendmax uses CNC grinding machines to finish key tooling surfaces with high accuracy, ensuring precise:

• bending angles

• radii

• heights

• V-groove geometry

This precision directly determines the consistency of bending results.

8. Segmented Tool Cutting

To improve flexibility in bending operations, many tools are produced as segmented tooling sets.

Standard configurations include:

• 835 mm solid tools

• 415 mm solid tools

• segmented tooling combinations

Segmented tools allow operators to quickly assemble tooling lengths for different bending applications.

9. Quality Inspection

Strict quality control ensures the accuracy and reliability of every tool.

Bendmax uses professional inspection equipment such as:

• Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)

• Contour measuring instruments

• Height gauges

• Straightness measuring tools

Finished tooling can achieve dimensional tolerances of ±0.02 mm, ensuring stable bending precision.

10. Laser Marking

Each tool is marked using laser engraving to clearly display key parameters, including:

• tooling code

• bending angle

• radius

• tonnage capacity

• length

This allows operators to easily identify and select the correct tooling during production.

11. Protective Packaging

Bendmax uses multi-layer packaging protection to ensure safe transportation:

1. Anti-rust oil coating

2. Greaseproof paper wrapping

3. Individual plastic sealing

4. Carton packaging

5. Reinforced wooden crates

This prevents rust, damage, or deformation during shipping.

12. Delivery and Logistics