Bending Machine Uses

We are a professional bending machine manufacturer with over 10 years of industry experience. Today, we would like to introduce you to the role of bending machine safety devices:

As an important equipment for sheet metal processing, bending machine has potential risks such as mechanical pinching, workpiece rebound, mold misalignment, etc. during its operation. The role of the safety device is to prevent accidents, protect the operator, and ensure the stable operation of the equipment. The following is an explanation from the protection function, technical principle and practical application.

1, Main safety devices and their functions

Optical protection device (grating)

The optical grating forms an invisible barrier in the working area of the bending machine by means of an infrared beam. When the operator's hand or other objects enter the dangerous area, the light beam is blocked and the equipment stops running immediately. This device effectively prevents crushing accidents caused by slider downward movement, and is especially suitable for manual operation scenarios with frequent feeding.

Two-handed operation buttons

The two-handed pushbutton requires the operator to press two switches at the same time at a certain distance apart for the bending machine to start. This design ensures that the operator's hands are in a safe position and avoids the possibility of the other hand resting in the danger zone when operating with one hand. Some devices also have a time delay function to prevent false triggering for short periods of time.

Emergency Stop Devices

Emergency stop buttons are usually bright red in color and are located in a number of easy-to-reach locations on the equipment. In the event of an emergency, pressing the button immediately cuts off the power source and brings the carriage to a quick stop. Advanced models are also equipped with redundant circuits to ensure that the Emergency Stop function is not affected by electrical failures.

Mold Safety Clamping System

This system secures the upper mold by means of a hydraulic or mechanical locking mechanism to prevent the mold from loosening or falling off during processing. Some machines are equipped with mold detection sensors that prohibit start-up if the mold is not properly installed, avoiding damage to the machine from empty strokes.

Angle monitoring and overload protection

CNC bending machines are equipped with angle sensors to detect bending angle deviation in real time. When the set tolerance is exceeded, the machine will automatically stop and alarm. The hydraulic system is equipped with a relief valve to relieve pressure when the pressure exceeds the rated value to protect the cylinder and mold from damage.

2, Technical realization of safety devices

Electrical control system

The safety device realizes signal processing through PLC or special safety relay. Input signals such as light grids and two-handed buttons are designed as dual circuit, so that a single line failure will not lead to failure of the protection function. The system regularly self-checks and triggers an alarm and locks the equipment in case of abnormality.

Mechanical linkage mechanism

While the old bending machines used mechanical stops to limit the travel of the slider, modern machines precisely control the lower dead center position by means of servo motors in conjunction with encoders. Hydraulic models integrate pressure sensors in the oil circuit to monitor load changes in real time.

Human-computer interaction prompts

The touch screen displays safety status information such as grating blocking position and mold not locked warning. Audible and visual alarms emit audio-visual signals when danger is detected, reminding personnel to stay away from the danger zone.

3, Management requirements in practical application

Daily inspection

Verify the sensitivity of the grating before operation and test the response speed of the emergency stop button. Regularly check the sealing of hydraulic lines to prevent leakage leading to insufficient pressure. Electrical lines of the safety device should avoid parallel arrangement with the power line to reduce interference.

Personnel training

The operator must understand the boundaries of each safety device. For example, light barriers do not protect the backstop area, and two-hand buttons are not suitable for automated production modes. Maintenance personnel must know how to reset the safety devices to avoid misinterpretation of the de-protected state.

Equipment upgrades

Older models can be retrofitted with retrofit safety packages, such as additional light barriers or replacement of the safety controller with one that meets the latest standards. When automating, re-evaluate safety zoning and add fence interlocks if necessary.

4, The development trend of safety devices

Intelligent Recognition Technology

Camera or LIDAR-based area monitoring systems can distinguish between workpieces and human bodies, reducing false stops. Gesture recognition has been implemented in some high-end devices, allowing near-machine operation in specific directions.

Predictive maintenance

By monitoring the current, vibration and other parameters of the safety devices, hidden problems such as grating aging and hydraulic valve stagnation can be detected in advance. After the data is uploaded to the cloud, manufacturers can remotely diagnose and provide maintenance recommendations.

Standardized integration

Modern safety design follows standards such as ISO 12100, integrating mechanical protection, electrical control and software management. Modular safety components shorten retrofit cycles and reduce maintenance costs.

Bending machine safety devices reduce operational risks through multiple protection mechanisms, and their effectiveness depends on proper selection, installation and maintenance. Enterprises should establish a regular inspection system, combined with personnel training and technology upgrades, to build a complete safety management system. With the development of intelligent technology, safety protection is changing from passive response to active prevention, but the operator's safety awareness is always an irreplaceable core element.

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