As a core component in sheet metal fabrication, the performance of press brake tooling directly determines bending accuracy, production efficiency, and the final product quality. Implementing a proper maintenance strategy not only helps extend the service life of the tooling, but also effectively reduces production costs, minimizes machine downtime, and significantly enhances the overall productivity of the factory.

Use Tools Made of Proper Materials and Operate Them Correctly

Different bending tooling materials—such as alloy steel,through-hardened steel, and fully quenched materials—have varying levels of strength and wear resistance, resulting in different load-bearing capacities. Therefore, in actual operation, it is essential to select a V-opening that matches the sheet thickness and bending radius, strictly avoid overloading or exceeding the maximum tonnage of the tooling, and use specialized tools for special bending applications. These measures fundamentally ensure bending accuracy and effectively extend the service life of the press brake tools.

 Keep the Tooling Clean and Inspect it Regularly

Metal chips, oil residues, and oxidation on the surface of the tooling are far from minor issues—they are critical risk factors that reduce product quality and accelerate tool wear. Therefore, daily maintenance must be elevated to a strategic level: clean the tooling every day to prevent debris from causing dents; perform regular inspections to eliminate cracks, nicks, and other potential failures at an early stage; and apply anti-rust oil before storage to fundamentally prevent oxidation. Though these actions seem small, they are essential management practices for ensuring smooth production, controlling long-term costs, and maintaining consistent high-quality output.

Store and Protect Tooling Properly

Improper storage can directly lead to irreversible damage such as rust, dents, or deformation of the tooling. To prevent this, the following professional storage standards must be strictly observed: First, the storage area should remain dry and temperature-controlled, free of corrosive substances to eliminate the environmental causes of rust. Second, protective spacers must be placed between tools during stacking or storage to completely avoid metal-to-metal contact and impact damage. Third, dedicated tooling racks should be used, with clear labeling for each set of tools to achieve standardized management and eliminate deformation or wear caused by disorganized storage.

Lubricate and Maintain Smooth Guide Surfaces

  The repeated contact between the upper punch and the worktable can cause rapid wear when lubrication is insufficient. Therefore, a standardized maintenance procedure must be : First, regularly inspect all contact surfaces for signs of wear; second, apply appropriate lubricating oil to key areas to reduce friction; and finally, ensure that all metal debris is removed after each operation to prevent any residue. These practices systematically protect machine accuracy and significantly extend the service life of the tooling.

Perform Calibration and Maintenance Based on Production Volume

To address accuracy deviations that occur after long-term use, factories must implement proactive preventive maintenance: establish a regular maintenance schedule based on tooling usage frequency; conduct periodic professional inspections of tooling straightness and angle accuracy; and perform timely grinding or repair when deviations exceed tolerance limits. These measures ensure that the tooling consistently operates in optimal condition.