How to Choose a Press Brake
A Complete Guide for AUstralian Manufacturers
Choosing the right press brake starts with understanding your required tonnage, bending length & materials to be processed.
Investing in the right press brake can reduce set up times, improve bending accuracy and increase profitability.
Choose a press brake supplier with an in-house service department with a factory trained team to guarantee efficient service.
If you are researching how to choose a press brake, you are likely planning to upgrade your sheet metal fabrication capability or replace an ageing machine. A press brake is one of the most important machines in a fabrication workshop, and choosing the right one can significantly impact productivity, accuracy, and profitability.
With many models available on the market — from basic manual machines to fully automated CNC systems — selecting the right press brake can be confusing.
This guide explains the key factors Australian manufacturers and fabrication shops should consider when selecting a press brake, including machine capacity, automation, tooling, and long-term return on investment.
We will also reference several modern machines such as the Ermakasan Microbend, Speedbend and Powerbend Pro, which are commonly used in Australian fabrication workshops.
Why Choosing the Right Press Brake Matters
A press brake is not just another piece of equipment. It often becomes the central production machine in a sheetmetal and plate fabrication shop.
Choosing the wrong machine can lead to:
- Production bottlenecks
- Poor bend accuracy
- INcreased set up times
- Increased labour costs
- Tooling limitations
- Reduced machine lifespan
On the other hand, selecting the right press brake allows a workshop to:
- Produce consistent bends with minimal rework
- Dramatically reduce setup times
- Increase throughput with high speeds
- Versatilty, handle a wider range of jobs
- Increased capacity in both thickness and length of bend
- Reduced downtime
- Improve profitability
For Australian fabrication businesses dealing with labour shortages and rising production costs, investing in the right press brake is increasingly important.
1. Understanding your Bending Capacity Requirements
The first step in deciding how to choose a press brake is understanding the tonnage and bending length required for your work.
Press brake capacity is generally defined by two main factors:
Bending Force (Tonnage)
Typical examples include:
- Light fabrication: 40 – 80 tonne
- General sheet metal work: 80 – 160 tonne
- Heavy fabrication: 200+ tonne
For example, the Ermakasan Microbend series is commonly used for light to medium fabrication, making it ideal for workshops producing smaller components or precision parts.
Bending Length
The bending length determines the maximum width of sheet that can be bent.
Common press brake lengths include:
- 1250 mm
- 2500 mm
- 3100 mm
- 4100 mm
- 6100 mm
Many Australian workshops choose a 3.0 or 4.0 metre press brake as it provides flexibility for most fabrication work without taking up excessive floor space.
2. Consider The Types of Materials you will Bend
Another important factor when learning how to choose a press brake is understanding the materials you will be working with. Different materials require different bending forces and tooling.
Common materials used in Australian fabrication include:
- Mild steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
- High tensile steel
For example, stainless steel typically requires more tonnage than mild steel, while aluminium requires less. A machine such as the Ermakasan Powerbend Pro offers high rigidity and advanced CNC control, making it suitable for workshops that regularly work with tougher materials or thicker plate.
3. Decide on the Level of Automation
Automation plays a significant role in press brake productivity.
When deciding how to choose a press brake, you should consider the level of automation your workshop requires.
Entry Level CNC
Entry-level CNC press brakes are ideal for workshops that want improved accuracy but do not have the volume of work to justify going all in. We would always recommend, even on an entry level machine, to invest in a Five Axis CNC Press Brake (Y1,Y2,X,R and Crowning)
A common misconception in fabrication workshops is that because they carry out jobbing work—where each job may be different—a more advanced CNC machine is unnecessary. As a result, some workshops invest in machines with very basic control systems that lack graphical programming interfaces and have limited CNC axis capability.
While these machines may appear adequate initially, they often become inefficient in practice. Limited CNC functionality means operators must frequently make manual adjustments when changing between jobs, which increases setup time and reduces productivity.
In many cases, a better long-term solution is to invest in a mid-level CNC machine with at least five controlled axes. This allows operators to quickly reprogram the machine for different jobs using the control system, rather than relying on manual mechanical adjustments. The result is faster setup, greater flexibility, and improved efficiency when handling varied fabrication work.
Machines such as the Ermakasan Microbend provide excellent accuracy while remaining cost-effective.
They are ideal for:
- Small fabrication shops
- Shops that do not need to bend over 1.2m length
- Shops that may have a bigger machine but require a ‘quick and easy’ solution for brackets and small jobs
- Maintenance workshops
- Jobbing shops with varied work
Mid-Level CNC
Mid-range machines such as the Ermakasan Speedbend provide faster operation, higher repeatability and improved production efficiency.
These machines typically include:
- Multi-axis CNC control such as Cybtouch 12 or Delem DA58
- Five Axis Control; Y1, Y2, X, R and CNC Crowning
- Faster ram speeds
- Automatic backgauge systems including R axis (up and down)
- Improved productivity for batch work
The Ermaksan Powerbend Pro is commonly used in fabrication environments producing medium volume components.
High-End CNC Systems
For high productivity fabrication environments, advanced machines such as the Ermakasan Powerbend Pro offer significantly greater capability.
These machines may include:
- Multi-axis CNC control systems (Delem DA69T with offline software)
- Advanced bending software
- Offline programming
- Complex part production
- Faster setup times
- Larger daylight and stroke length for more versatility
For larger Australian manufacturers, this level of automation can dramatically increase output.
4. Evaluate the CNC Control System
The CNC control is essentially the brain of the press brake.
Modern CNC systems provide:
- Automatic bend calculations
- Graphical programming
- Bend sequence optimisation
- Tooling libraries
Advanced controls allow operators to program complex bends quickly, reducing setup time and operator error.
For Australian workshops experiencing skills shortages, intuitive CNC controls can make it much easier for operators to learn the machine.
Machines such as the Ermakasan Powerbend Pro often feature advanced CNC systems designed to simplify complex bending operations.
5. Tooling Capability
Another key factor when deciding how to choose a press brake is tooling.
Press brake tooling determines the shapes you can bend and the materials you can process.
Important tooling considerations include:
Tooling standard (European / American)
Tooling availability in Australia
Tool changeover speed
Tooling cost
European style tooling often referred to as ‘Promecam style’ is commonly used in modern press brakes and provides excellent versatility.
Many Australian fabrication shops prefer machines compatible with standard European tooling, as this ensures access to a wide range of tools from multiple suppliers.
It is advisable to meet with your Press Brake supplier to review your bending work prior to purchase so you don’t end up with a machine that can’t bend a job because you do not have the right tools. Call us to discuss your needs today.
6. Machine Build Quality and Rigidity
The construction quality of the press brake frame directly affects bend accuracy.
A rigid machine frame ensures:
- Consistent bend angles
- Reduced deflection
- Longer machine life
High-quality press brakes such as those produced by Ermakasan use heavy-duty welded frames designed to maintain accuracy over many years of operation.
For fabrication shops performing precision work, machine rigidity is particularly important.
7. Backgauge capability
The backgauge system positions the sheet metal before bending.
A simple backgauge may only move in one axis, while more advanced systems can move in multiple axes. The axis in and out is X axis, and up and down is the R Axis. We would strongly recommend R Axis as tooling heights change, the job you are bending will have different reference edges to reference against as the profile develops. Also on a quality machine with a tooling library, the CNC R Axis will manoeuvre the backgauge fingers around the punch and die to avoid collision.
More advanced systems allow:
- Faster setup
- Improved repeatability
- Greater versatility and more complex part production
- Higher accuracy
- Improved cycle times per bend and per job
Modern press brakes such as the Speedbend and Powerbend Pro often include multi-axis backgauge systems that significantly improve productivity.
8. safety features
Safety is a critical factor when purchasing any press brake.
Australian workplaces must comply with strict safety standards.
Modern press brakes should include:
- Laser safety systems
- Light curtains
- Emergency stop systems
- Safety PLC controls
Laser guarding systems are particularly common on modern CNC press brakes because they allow safe operation while maintaining productivity. Allowing the operator to hold material close the bending line.
9. Consider Long Term Service and Support
When investing in a press brake, the purchase price is only one part of the equation.
Australian businesses should also consider:
Local spare parts availability
Technical support
Service technicians
Training
Very few machinery dealers have their own service technicians and most rely on sub-contractors. Ensure your supplier has their own factory trained team so you can be guaranteed efficient service every time.
Working with a reputable supplier ensures the machine remains productive for many years.
Reliable brands such as Ermaksan are widely used globally and supported in Australia by Power Machinery.
10. Think about Future Growth
One mistake many fabrication businesses make when deciding how to choose a press brake is selecting a machine that only meets their current requirements. If your business grows, your press brake must be able to handle increased production.
It is often better to invest in a machine with:
- Slightly higher tonnage and longer length
- Additional CNC axes
- Upgrade capability
Customers rarely regret buying a bigger machine. 20 years ago big machines were slow and cumbersome to use but with current technology a 320T is almost the same speed as a 60T machine.
Machines such as the Ermaksan Speedbend and Powerbend Pro offer scalability for workshops expecting future growth.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Press Brake
Choosing the right press brake requires careful consideration of your production requirements, materials, automation needs, and long-term business goals.
To summarise, when deciding how to choose a press brake, you should evaluate:
- Required tonnage and bending length
- Material types and thicknesses
- Automation and CNC capability
- Tooling compatibility
- Machine rigidity and build quality
- Backgauge capability
- Safety features
- Local service and support (this is extremely important)
Machines such as the Ermakasan Microbend, Speedbend and Powerbend Pro provide a range of options suitable for different fabrication environments, from smaller workshops through to high-production manufacturing.
Selecting the right press brake will not only improve productivity but also ensure your fabrication business remains competitive in the Australian manufacturing industry.
Comparing Ermakasan Microbend, Speedbend and Powerbend Pro
| Feature | Microbend | Speedbend | Powerbend Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Workshop Use | Requirement for small parts and brackets | Medium production fabrication | High production manufacturing |
| Automation Level | Entry level CNC press brake | Mid-level CNC with higher productivity | Advanced CNC system |
| Production Speed | High | High | High |
| Typical Capacity Range | <40T | 60 - 2000T | 60 - 2000T |
| Bending Lengths | 1000 - 1250mm | 2000 - 6100mm | 2000 - 6100mm |
| CNC Control | User friendly CNC for single programming | Advanced CNC with multi-axis control | High-end CNC with complex programming capability |
| Backgauge Options | Standard backguage options. X and R | Multi-axis backgauge options | Advanced multi-axis systems |
| Ideal for | Small parts, light fabrication | Batch production and general fabrication | Complex parts and higher production |
| Investment Level | Lower capital investment | Mid range investment | Higher investment for maximum productivity |
Contact Power Machinery for Expert Advice
If you would like help selecting the right machine, call or email the team at Power Machinery Australia can help you evaluate the best press brake solution for your application. With more than 50 years experience, and our own in-house Service Department, we have the knowledge and expertise to assist you in making the right decision for your business.