Analysis of bending processes of sheet metal parts and improving them with new investments - a Finnish case study

Abstract

Bending is often a bottleneck when producing sheet metal parts. This empirical article deals with elements affecting the efficiency of bending process and the profitability of the investment in a new press brake in small batch production. A replacement investment in modern bending technology seems to be highly profitable for the company making small batch production. Attention should be paid specially for easy set ups to increase value adding time in production process. In such a case real pay-back times can be very short.