Next-generation press brake operators

It’s a given that a skilled press brake operator in Middle East & Africa is tough to find. Be it a small or large company, product-line or contract manufacturer, they all seem to have the same problem finding, recruiting, and retaining good, experienced press brake operators.

But think about this: Have you changed the job requirements of your operators as your press brakes have modernised? While some skills, like reading drawings and using measuring equipment, always will be required, other skill requirements have changed as the machinery has changed.

The evolution of all metal fabrication equipment over the past three decades has turned the industry upside down. CNC laser cutting, high-definition plasma cutting, high-speed punching, CNC press brakes, and robotic welding cells have replaced shears, single-station turrets, manual welding cells, and many other operator-driven machines. Technology advances have given us more efficient systems, but they also have left companies reeling to find workers to take full advantage of these tools.

Modern press brake operation

CNCs and, more recently, PC-based controllers have revolutionised fabrication equipment across the board, and the press brake is no exception. Changes mainly have been market-driven. Gone are the days when shops could afford large inventories and part runs in the thousands. Lean manufacturing has driven lot quantities from the thousands to less than 100, and often a single part. This has meant that the machinery must be more flexible, easier to set up and quicker to program.

For press brakes, this has translated into high accuracy. Operators can take advantage of air bending; multi-axis backgauge systems so that gauging of virtually any shape is possible; hydraulic clamping units for fast tool changes; automatic crowning systems to eliminate shimming; and offline programming so the operator does not have to program at the machine.

Skill requirements, then and now

Those fortunate enough not to remember the days of manual setup may ask, “How could setup possibly take an hour or more?”

It most certainlyAir Jordan