In modern manufacturing, high-precision large-scale CNC bending machines are widely used in the metal processing industry. Their main advantage lies in the efficient and precise bending of sheets into the required shapes. However, the choice of mold is crucial to the work efficiency and bending quality of the bender. This article will explore in detail how to choose the right mold to ensure the performance of a high-precision bending machine.
1. Understand the bending process and function of the mold
1.1 Operating principle of the bender
The CNC bender clamps the sheet metal through the upper and lower molds and bends it under pressure to a specific angle. The upper mold is generally movable, while the lower mold is fixed on the machine tool. During the bending process, the shape, size and material of the mold directly affect the precision and surface quality of the product.
1.2 Basic composition of the mold
The mold is mainly divided into an upper mold and a lower mold. The upper mold is responsible for applying pressure and the lower mold provides support. Choosing the right mold can not only improve processing efficiency, but also extend the life of the mold.
2. Key factors in mold selection
2.1 Material selection
2.1.1 Selection based on bending materials
According to the properties of the processed material (such as steel, aluminum, etc.), the corresponding mold material is selected. Some common casting materials include:
High speed steel: It has good wear resistance and is suitable for processing materials with higher hardness.
Alloy steel: has good toughness and strength and is suitable for most metal materials.
Plastic mold: suitable for bending light metal or non-metallic materials.
2.1.2 Wear resistance and solidity
The wear resistance and strength of the mold directly affect its service life. Under high load conditions, highly wear-resistant materials should be selected to reduce wear.
2.2 Mold geometry
2.2.1 Mold shape and bending angle
The geometry of the mold determines the angle and radius of the bend. For different bending requirements, the mold design should also be different:
V-shaped mold: suitable for most conventional folding and easy to adjust the folding angle.
U-shaped mold: used for bending requiring a larger radius.
Special Mold: A mold designed for special shapes to meet particular bending needs.
2.2.2 Width and height of the mold
The width and height of the mold must correspond to the thickness of the material to be processed. Thick plates require wider and taller molds to ensure stability and precision during the bending process.
2.3 Precision of mold processing
The precision of mold processing directly affects the quality of bent parts. High-precision molds can ensure the consistency of bending angles and dimensional accuracy of folded products. When choosing a mold, the following points should be considered:
Tolerance requirements: Select the mold processing precision according to the tolerance requirements of the product.
Surface Finish: A high quality mold should have a good surface finish to reduce friction and damage during the bending process.
2.4 Saving mold
Economics is also an important factor when selecting molds. Although high-quality molds may cost more, their high yield and low failure rate can often reduce overall production costs in the long run. Users should holistically consider the initial investment and long-term usage costs of the mold.
Choosing the right mold is crucial to the performance of a high-precision, large-scale CNC bending machine. By carefully analyzing material properties, mold geometry, processing accuracy, economics and other factors, users can effectively improve the efficiency and product quality of bending processing.
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