Sheet metal and metal bending

Metal bending or folding is a forming process in which no material separation occurs; instead, plastic deformation is applied to shape a metal sheet around a specific angle. It is a forming or pre-forming operation inherent to industrial stamping and metal manufacturing processes.

No matter the complexity of the part: at JOM, we are equipped to handle any type of sheet metal bending. All our bending operations are developed using CAD-CAM programming, providing solutions for all types of standard or custom metal bending requirements.

CNC press brakes: precision and custom capabilities

CNC sheet metal bending is one of our primary operations at JOM. It allows us to work with very tight and demanding tolerances, achieving significant cost savings on metal parts and guaranteeing a competitive price.

We have the support of a professional team with extensive know-how (both in engineering and at the operator level) that knows in detail the specific characteristics of the metal to be bent, its hardness, and its strength.

In-house tooling for custom dies and fixtures

Through the direct collaboration of our in-house tooling division, we design and manufacture custom tooling to fit our press brakes whenever a specific part requires it. Thanks to this integration, we can offer specialized bending and deep drawing with endless possibilities to achieve the customer’s desired outcome.

Machinery fleet for metal bending

We have a range of top-tier press brakes from leading brands such as TRUMPF and AMADA to respond to any requirement regarding thickness, length, and type of metal:

TRUMPF press brake (5130) 130 t
TRUMPF press brake 36 t
TRUMPF press brake 36 t
Presse-plieuse AMADA 80 t
Presse-plieuse AMADA 80 t

This fleet of sheet metal bending machines allows us to meet a wide variety of our customers’ needs in terms of sheet thickness, part length, and the type of sheet metal being bent.

In addition, we have a press shop for stamping, where—if the quantity of parts to be produced or their specifications require it—the bending process is also carried out.

Components of our industrial press brakes

Our machines perform linear bending operations on sheet materials using the following key elements:

Bed / Frame: Structural foundation supporting the machine, featuring two side uprights joined to form a gantry.
Ram / Beam: Located at the top, it executes a vertical stroke so the punch deforms the workpiece.
Bed / Table: Lower bench on which the bottom bending tooling is mounted and against which the ram presses.
Drive mechanisms: Double-acting hydraulic cylinders responsible for moving the ram.
Controls and accessories: Consoles, retractable stops, limiters, and automated positioning backgauges that define the type of bend to be executed.

Materials and application sectors

We bend all types of metallic materials, adapting to the technical specifications of every industry. Our bent sheet metal parts are in high demand across sectors such as:

Automotive and transportation
Electrical and electronics sector
Architecture and construction
Tools and industrial machinery

Bending procedures at JOM

Depending on geometric requirements and production volume, we apply different working procedures:

V-bending: The most common method, executed using a punch that exerts pressure on specific points of the sheet metal.
Air bending / Partial bending: Allows the sheet metal to be formed at a wide variety of angles for parts with complex geometries.
Stamp bending / Stamping: Used for high-precision parts requiring significantly higher speeds. It is carried out using stamping presses and qualified personnel for their design and operation.

Types of industrial bending (by deformation method)

In today’s market, we apply three methods depending on tool penetration:

Air bending: The sheet metal is pressed by the punch into the die cavity without touching the bottom. It allows bending multiple materials, thicknesses, and angles using a single tooling set. It is highly flexible and requires lower bending force.
Bottom bending / Bottoming: The sheet metal is pressed against the sides of the V-die (leaving a minimal air gap at the bottom). The angle directly depends on the tooling, which significantly reduces the effects of springback.
Coining: Involves using matrices and punches with matching angles that fully press into the material. Variations in thickness do not affect the result, providing maximum precision.

Technical considerations of metal behavior

During industrial bending, a press consisting of a punch and die is used to apply pressure. Two axes are created within the sheet metal: a neutral axis (the inner zone undergoing compression) and an outer axis (subjected to tension that performs the bend). At this point, a slight thinning at the center of the bend area is commonly observed.

To optimize the surface finish quality and the durability of the component, at JOM we take into account the following physical factors:

Grain direction of the metal: We execute the bend considering the grain orientation to guarantee superior mechanical performance.
Elasticity and springback: When subjecting the sheet metal to progressive pressure, the stress exceeds the yield strength, but elasticity is not completely eliminated. We compensate for this springback by relieving the compression zone or overbending slightly beyond the required value.