Press & Shear understands that press brakes are the workhorses of sheet metal fabrication. However, their immense power necessitates prioritising safety to protect team members and the user’s capital investment. Here are some key safety measures put forward by Press & Shear, a specialist in the supply of sheet metal and fabrication machines, to implement in press brake operations.

The first tip is to invest in high-quality light curtains or laser scanners to create a safety zone around the press brake’s pinch point. These systems will automatically stop the machine if an operator enters the zone unexpectedly.

Ensuring all press brake operators undergo comprehensive training is also recommended, covering safe operation, potential hazards and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Press & Shear can provide targeted training programmes tailored to specific machinery and applications.

Another piece of advice is maintaining a clean and organised work area around the press brake to prevent slip, trip and fall hazards. This activity includes keeping tools and materials stored away when not in use.

It is also worth implementing a programme for regular inspections and preventive maintenance of press brake safety devices and hydraulic systems. The team of service technicians at Press & Shear is here to assist with this crucial aspect of safety.

Ergonomic practices are a further recommendation, which involves the use of mechanical lifting aids like hoists or cranes for handling heavy sheet metal. This will minimise the risk of strain and musculoskeletal injuries to operators.

Then of course there is PPE. Metalforming shops should enforce the use of appropriate eye protection, cut-resistant gloves and steel-toed safety shoes.

More information www.pressandshear.com

New to the Engineering Technology Group’s (ETG) Fabrication Division is the Durma AD-Servo range of press brakes, which the company says can increase productivity by up to 60% and reduce energy consumption by up to 72%, credit largely to variable-speed drives. In addition, the AD-Servo series incorporates stress-relieving technology for the precise and long-term operation and stability of the machines.

Designed to make less noise with control of position, pressure and load pressure, AD-Servo press brakes feature an open/closed hydraulic circuit and four-quadrant operation. Further features include a bell housing and coupling, power unit, valve block, prefill valve, cylinder, servo controller, Indra-Drive C Software and linear scales.

The AD-Servo series is available in 17 variants with a bending force from 100 to 600 T and a bending length from 2.55 m on the smallest machine to 6.05 m on the largest. A wealth of options provides ETG customers with a distance between columns from 2.2 to 5.1 m with a stroke from 265 to 365 mm. The AD-Servo line-up also gives customers a choice of table widths, axis dimensions, Y-axis rapid and working speeds, and much more.

With over 1000 machine installations across the UK in virtually all sectors at users ranging from small businesses to world-class OEMs, ETG is excited to service Durma customers, who the company says will benefit from the same high levels of service and technical support enjoyed by existing ETG customers.

More information www.engtechgroup.com