Hydraulic, Electric, or Hybrid Press Brake – How To Select?

Are you in the market for a fresh hydraulic press brake or a hybrid press brake? The initial and most crucial step is reaching out to your Sales Engineer. Schedule a virtual or face-to-face appointment to explore machine possibilities and their integration into your production workflow. Your Sales Engineer can guide you through control options, backgauges, material support, and automation features, as well as brainstorm machine capabilities that could boost growth and productivity.

Your Sales Engineer is equipped to aid in determining the appropriate tonnage and bed length to meet your requirements, drawing from extensive experience in problem-solving for metal fabricators and offering valuable insights gleaned from past projects.

When contemplating whether to invest in a Hydraulic, Hybrid, or Electric Press Brake, here are some key considerations:

Advantages of Hydraulic Press Brakes:

Look for machines with a sturdy foundation, energy-efficient technology, and automation options to streamline the bending process. A well-designed hydraulic press brake offers:

  • A wide range of options and configurations
  • Flexibility from basic to highly advanced machines
  • Budget-friendly options
  • Capability for high tonnages and lengths
  • Diverse tooling options, from standard to precision

For heavy-duty applications requiring 650 to 3000+ ton capacity, High-Tonnage Hydraulic Press Brakes are the ideal choice, featuring oversized components, robust gauging devices, and extended open heights/stroke lengths.

Advantages of Electric Press Brakes:

These brakes utilize electric motors that activate during the bending sequence and automatically shut off when not in use. The ram moves swiftly, halts at a predetermined position, creeps downward for bending, and swiftly ascends to repeat the process. Key benefits of electric brakes include:

  • High speed and productivity
  • Designs, like SafanDarley models, with minimal crowning requirements
  • Exceptionally high forming tolerances
  • Quiet and clean operation, enhancing the work environment
  • Energy savings

Advantages of Hybrid Press Brakes:

Combining hydraulic cylinder technology with servo-drive motors, hybrid press brakes offer the advantages of both hydraulic and electric brakes. They utilize hydraulics to aid bending while eliminating gear pumps. Similar to electric brakes, hybrids conserve energy by shutting off when not in use and can be 20-30% more energy efficient than hydraulic press brakes.

  • Comparable productivity to electric brakes with more size options
  • Reduced drive system maintenance compared to hydraulic brakes
  • Achieve high tolerances akin to electric brakes
Hybrid press brake
Hybrid press brake

Choosing the right press brake should align with your preferences and production goals, much like ordering at a restaurant. Leverage your Sales Engineer’s expertise to select the best machine for your workshop!

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Leave a Comment