Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About Our Press Brakes
Have questions about our products and how they can help you get your project done with precision? Get answers to common questions below or contact us today for questions not covered here.
Questions and Answers About Press Brakes For Sale
Find answers below or Reach Out Today for answers about financing, technical support or general support.
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Do you offer training?
We offer training on every machine we sell at no extra charge. Training options include: Onsite full day training in our Texas facility, online/phone training, self directed training video library. Of course every brand new machine includes assisted startup and initial training on the machine via Zoom and/or phone. The fabricator and 2D precision series brakes are easy enough to learn that we can do it remotely. The precision 3D brakes, its recommended that you visit our Texas training center for a full day of hands on training.
What is the warranty?
2 years full machine, 5 years on structure.
Where is the machine made?
40,000 SqFt inventory located 50 miles south of Dallas, in Corsicana, TX. This facility serves as our training center, as well as new machine and parts inventory. The machines are designed, spec’d and supported in the US, and manufactured in Asia with global components.
What tooling comes standard?
All machines come standard with Segmented Mini Gooseneck punch set, and segmented 4 way V die that is setup to bend a range of materials from thin sheet metal up to 1/4″. Additionally the FATMAX machines include a large selection of tooling that expands the bend capacity up to 1″ plate.
What about extra tooling?
We do not sell extra tooling, but can recommend several US based tooling companies that stock most common tooling upgrade that will work good on the bend/force brakes. Once you purchase a machine, we will provide the top 3 tooling companies we recommend. The bend/force brakes use Euro style tooling.
What are the dimensions of the Machine?
Request a spec sheet via the contact form on the machine you are interested in. The last page shows machine weight and dimensions.
What are the Power Requirements?
Fabricator series brakes are 220-240v Single phase and use a 30-40amp breaker. All other machines are 3phase. Request a spec sheet for the machine you are interested in and refer to the last page where motor size in KW and amp draw is reflected. The 3ph machines can support 208v, 220v, 240v, 480v 3ph.
Can a Phase Converter be used?
Yes. We do not make exact recommendations for size, but you can request a spec sheet and use the motor size and amp draw reflected on the last page, and use that information to provide to the phase converter mfg, and they will properly size the unit. For lower cost rotary converter, American Rotary is a very reputable company offering cost effective converters. For a more robust solution, consider a solid state unit from Phase Perfect.
Do you offer financing?
We offer financing through Stearns Bank. See the financing link for more information. We also accept financing from other qualified lending institutions. Please keep in mind, that we do not accept any commission or kickbacks from banks or lending institutions, and other than recommending Stearns bank because they are easy to work with and have good rates for people that have good credit.
Can we upgrade the machine later?
For the most part, its more cost effective to just trade in the machine and upgrade to the one that has the features you are seeking, rather than trying to upgrade the controller or add axis’s, etc.
Do you take trade-ins?
Only for machines that we originally sold. Its common for us to sell a small machines, and 2 years later the customer want to upgrade to something larger. If the original machine we sold has been maintained and is in good condition, we will help promote it and find a new buyer for it as a used machine, and sell you an upgraded machine. This usually helps save on shipping the machine back to us and saves everyone money.
What are the different Axis's?
2 Axis Fabricator machine = X and Y axis
4+1 Axis Machine = X, R, Y1, Y2 + Crowning
6+1 Axis Machine = X, R, Y1, Y2, Z1, Z2 + Crowning
8+1 Axis Machine = X1, X2, R, Y1, Y2, Z1, Z2 + Crowning
What is the difference between Fabricator and Precision Series?
Fabricator Series brakes have very basic features and offer a lower cost and are perfect for hobbyist or small fabrication shops that need to make basic bends in low production. The precision series are targeted more for higher production shops. The precision machines offer many advanced features that allow the machine to perform at a high level with X and Y position repeatability to .0005″.
Fabricator Series benefits/limitations:
Benefits:
– Low cost of entry with basic forming capability
– Single phase power
– Full warranty, training and support
– Machine can be traded in later to support upgrades
Limitations:
– Only a 2 axis torsion bar machine
– Limited support for off center bending
– Only moderate production speeds
– No crowning compensation
– No homing switches, requiring occasional manual calibration
– Minimal tools to assist with bend allowance calculation
– No independent control/correction of Y1/Y2 deviation (right/left sides may not be equal)
– No support for CAD file import
Precision 2D benefits and limitations:
Benefits:
Even though the sheet metal styling and color combinations look similar to the fabricator brake, they share almost none for the same components. The precision series brakes are superior in every way.
– Power on demand Electro-Hydraulic hybrid Y axis ram configuration with independent cylinder control Y1/Y2
– Optional dual Y axis gearbox configuration for even more refined control of the Ram cylinders
– Robust tool set for bend allowance calculation and full part bend simulation with tool collision detection
– Highest level of speed, accuracy, repeatability
– Supports high production, many customers achieving 100,000 bends per year or more
– Off center bending is supported
– Dynamic crowning compensation is standard
– 4+1 Axis configuration on DA53T models
– 6+1 Axis configuration on DA53X models
Limitations:
– Higher cost than Fabricator series
– 3phase only
– Does not support CAD file import (only Precision 3D supports this)
Precision 3D Benefits:
– the 3D machines share many of the same hydraulic and motion control components as the Precision 2D
But additionally supports the following:
– Allows for importing 2D and 3D CAD files (2D .dxf, 3D .stp, and many other formats)
– 6+1 Axis is standard with optional 8+1 axis available
– Automatic file import
– Automatic tool selection and station assignment
– Bend simulation and collision prevention
– Real time 3D graphical display of production parts to assist operator with forming operations, minimizing operator error
Limitations:
– Higher cost
– Harder to learn, requires hands on training in Texas facility
– More limited and harder to manually override the internal protections and algorithms (this can be good and bad)
– More complicated machine, which means more points of failure and complication
– Requires a 3D skilled designer and operator (Solidworks or Fusion360):