Structural analysis and optimisation of press brakes

A model of the bending process in Press Brakes is established using Timoshenko beam theory. Expressions for the workpiece bending error are derived that explicitly consider the influence of shape, dimensions and initial deformation of the machine structural components on its bending accuracy. The minimization of the bending error is formulated in terms of optimisation problems that are solved numerically using a genetic algorithm. The methodology presented in this paper permits the analysis of existing Press Brake design solutions, the optimisation of their performance and the development of new solutions.