Choosing the Right Press Brake: Electric vs. Hydraulic - krrass

When a company decides to replace their outdated press brake in the fabrication business, they often face a dilemma of choosing the right one. The reason for this confusion lies in the diverse technological advancements of press brake available in the market today.

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Currently, we have electric, hybrid, and traditional hydraulic press brake. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, which, if carefully examined, can help you find the perfect press brake to suit your needs. In this article, we will focus on the comparison between the standard electric brake and the hydraulic press brake.

Electric VS Hydraulic press brakes

1. POWER CONSUMPTION AND EFFICIENCY

Experts suggest that electric press brakes use approximately twice as much electrical energy as hydraulic press brakes to achieve the same tonnage. However, the hydraulic motors, pumps, and oil used in hydraulic press brakes keep the machine running continuously, even during idle periods. Therefore, electric brakes are more efficient and consume less power since the motor operates only during bending and turns off during idle time.

2. COST

Maintaining hydraulic press brake, such as oil and filter changes, fixing seal and line leaks, etc., adds to the expenses of using hydraulic press brake. Additionally, due to the variable viscosity of the hydraulic press oil, the angle achieved at the beginning of the day may differ from that at the end of the day. This can result in more scrap material being produced, as additional trials are needed for the same bend. Moreover, the continuous energy consumption by the gear pump during idle time increases the cost of using hydraulic press brake. To enhance efficiency, some people install energy-saving features like timers and variable displacement pumps. These mechanisms stop the main motor during idle time to reduce costs, and should be considered when purchasing a hydraulic press brake.

3. SPEED

Hydraulic press machines have a faster approach speed compared to electric presses but have slower ram acceleration and deceleration during positioning due to the oil-powered motor. As a result, electric presses have a quicker output with higher bending speed.

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4. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

As mentioned earlier, hydraulic pumps operate continuously even when the machine is turned off. If you prioritize fuel efficiency and cleaner energy, hydraulic pumps may not be the best option. Furthermore, hydraulic presses generate noise throughout the day while in operation, whereas electric presses are silent when not in use, with only the sound of the spinning ball screw when in operation. In terms of immediate environmental concerns, hydraulic presses (although not frequently) can also cause oil spills in the fabrication shop, which can have detrimental effects on the local community. These factors, combined with the lower power consumption of electric press brakes, make them more environmentally friendly compared to traditional hydraulic press brakes.

5. ACCURACY

Electric press brakes offer higher precision than hydraulic press brakes. Experts claim that electric press brakes can achieve accuracy up to 0. inches or 1 micron, while hydraulic press brakes can reach accuracy up to 0. inches (10.16 microns).

The advantage of hybrid motors

Hybrid press brakes also utilize hydraulics but without gear pumps. They typically incorporate a servo electric drive that controls the flow to the cylinders. On electric press brakes, electric motors regulate the ram’s movement through belt or gear mechanisms that drive ball screws. Generally, hybrid or electric press brakes are up to 20 to 30 percent more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic press brakes. Although electric machines have relatively high bending speeds, they are not as fast as hydraulic machines in terms of approach or retraction speed. However, they provide a great middle ground between the two types and can achieve accuracies of up to 4 microns. KRRASS offers some of the finest press brakes on the market. While electric and hybrid models have their advantages, KRRASS heavy-duty brakes are ideal for high-tonnage applications. For more information, please visit KRRASS’s Hydraulic Press Brakes.

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When considering the overall costs of purchasing, maintaining, and operating a sheet metal equipment setup, a sheet metal fabrication service: KRRASS brand is your best choice. KRRASS has a tremendous reputation in the market due to its focus on consistency and quality at the most competitive price. Whether it’s press brake or any other application equipment, our team of experts has the right combination of industry knowledge and the latest tool to provide you with the best products and services on the market. Moreover, we set ourselves apart with our advanced system that is completely online. Just let us know what your product needs, request a quote, and start the process.
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I do fabrication work part time at my home shop as a hobby, with the occasional paying job that supplements my racing habit. In the past six months or so I picked up a customer that started off with a few small projects that have steadily increased in size and frequency. My most recent project includes a cabinet fabricated from 14 gauge mild steel, which has not been a fun thing to do with my apron brakes. They're rated for 14 gauge, but that's with the angle installed, so you lose the capability to do return flanges. It's also not fun to operate a box and pan brake at full capacity...stuff that's easy in 18 gauge is a challenge in 14. Assuming I keep him happy, it's likely more work of this nature is coming my way, plus the added capability wouldn't hurt on my own projects and might allow me to find some more outside work.

So, I have started doing some research on press brakes. Being that this is a sideline for me, I'm definitely going to be looking at used equipment. In the limited research I've done so far, it looks like a DiAcro 14-72 would be about the ideal machine for my application. I'm not looking to do huge quantities of heavy stuff, but the 35 tons would give me the ability to do limited amounts of 10 gauge or 3/16" for brackets and the like, as well as 14 gauge full width. I certainly would not turn down a 16-72 or 14-48 if I happened across one, either. I like the idea of the hydro-mech system on the DiAcro brakes, it seems like a good blend of hydraulic and mechanical characteristics.

Now I'm looking to answer some questions, like:

1. Are there other brakes out there I should be looking at besides DiAcro? I have seen a couple mechanical Niagara's and Wysong's with similar capacity. I doubt a real modern brake is going to fit in my price range, which is definitely less than $10K, and probably closer to $5K.

2. Since I'm buying used, what do I need to look for in a used press brake to tell if it's worth buying or not? I have quite a bit of experience with my apron brakes and jump shear, but I've never run a press brake beyond the attachment I've made for my press. It sounds like the DiAcro system is prone to leaks at the hydraulic motor that are annoying but not terminal. Are there other quirks with these that I need to watch for? What are signs of guaranteed abuse that mean I should keep looking for another machine?

3. How tough are these to move? It looks like a 14-48 DiAcro is about lbs and a 14-72 is closer to . Obviously there's a fair amount of that weight up high. I have moved both of my apron brakes (big one is a 10' x 14 gauge Chicago) and my 8' jump shear, as well as my mill and lathe, so I have a clue about moving equipment, but a press brake appears to be a whole different animal.

Thanks in advance for reading, and any advice you might have for me.

dkmc, I've read your thread. The frame with fork pockets sounds like a good thing. Does your brake seem reasonably well balanced when you move it? That's the biggest issue with my shear...with the back gauge on it, it's not only top heavy, but rear-heavy, making it tough to balance when putting skates under it. It sounds like a 14-48 would move reasonably easily with a pallet jack on your frame setup.

I would say yes, reasonably balanced, but then again, it doesn't matter as much with the fork pockets.
I've gone over uneven spots with it on the forks, and had it
'clang' a bit IN the pockets....somewhat UN-nerving, but
it stays captured nicely. I'm also probably a bit overconfident and reckless when moving it as a result...
Most times I put at least a 1" ratchet strap around the top and around the mast too. Going carefully with a helper steadying it on a pallet jack should be NO problem.

My very old Niagara 8ft x 16ga shear......whole different
animal as you say. The couple times I've moved that SOB even a short distance it caused me more stress and extended bullshit than any other machine in the shop.
Way top AND rear heavy, and every time it clears the ground you're sure it gonna crash. I end up with all sorts of chains and 2" straps around it to keep it from 'rolling' on the forks.
And then it still likes to 'slip' sideways and be all unpredictable!

What that shear REALLY needs is some sort of frame underneath to keep it from flexing, and as a lifting point. I do not want to have to shim and level it, and bolt it down to my old uneven barn floor. I'm trying to decide what to use for the frame. 4" or 6" U channel? Has to be stiff corner to corner so the legs of the shear don't twist. Hum....I'm starting another thread on this right now!

Curious question: What type of racing??