Tooling performs 90-degree bends on a punch press

Mate Precision Tooling’s new VariBend™ is a flexible, multipurpose tool that bends sheet metal tabs at any angle up to 90 degrees in 1-degree increments. It eliminates secondary operations usually performed on a press brake.

The tool produces form heights of about 0.300 to 0.700 in. Programmed as a normal forming tool (regular forming or as an upforming tool), it operates with CNC punch press accuracy, the company states. With each machine stroke, the upper forming tool meets the sheet metal surface as the lower die moves up to create the desired bend angle.