Modification Of An Existing Metal Sheet-bending Machine

The machine used for bending operation is called sheet metal bending machine. This machine can be used to perform any type of bending. It consists of heavy beams, which are coupled together to bring about any shape of bending after the flat sheet has been marked out to a specific dimension of bending. This machine is extensively used in our community today by steel fabricators and production workshops for the fabrication of iron gates, security doors, burglary proofs, Louvre frames etc. (Oyewole and Agada 2000).
The street metal bending machine has great importance. It is used for bending metal sheet into shape and it is also used for giving out design.
1.2    Historical Review and Classification of Bending Machines
Over the years tremendous efforts have been made both in the study, design and development of tolls and machinery employed in manipulating sheet metal into desired shape mostly by bending.
The earliest approach to bending sheet metal to desire shape involves the use of stakes (thick or strong sharpened stick driven into the ground as a support, boundary, mark etc.) alongside hand tools of wood or rubber mallet, bench socket positioned at right angle to the craft-man. Stakes are of different types and forms corresponding from the type of bend to be made. The finishing achieved from this is generally poor and not very accurate. It’s other dements lie in the much labour required and limitation of the length of the sheet that can be bent.
To overcome these demerits and boost the fabrication industry, machine to carry out the bending operation were thereby developed. Bending machine in use include pinch bending rolls, power operated pyramid rolls, lock forming machine, Timman’s Jenny, Swing beam. The cramp folding machine; had operated geared bending machine, the box is the most versatile and easy to operate of all bending machines.
A top Vee-shaped blade descends on the plate, forming the necessary bend in vee- shaped bottom die. Top blades could be in varying width thus allowing box forms to be produced.