COVO ENGINEERING REFERENCE
Press Brake Knowledge Center
The COVO Knowledge Center contains 57 published engineering guides organized into six practical topics: bending basics, tooling selection, setup and accuracy, special forming, materials and tool care, and process planning.
Content reviewed:
Bending Basics
Core bending methods, geometry and calculation principles.
- Punch and Die Geometry: The Variables That Shape Every Press Brake Bend
- Press Brake Bending Basics: A Repeatable Setup Logic for New Operators
- How to Read a Press Brake Drawing Before Choosing the Tooling
- Air Bending and V-Die Opening: A Practical Way to Choose the Working Width
- Sheet Metal Bending Operations: 8 Press Brake Forming Methods Explained
- Air Bending vs Bottoming: Press Brake Bending Operations Explained
- Press Brake Bend Line Explained: L, X and Bend Deduction
- Press Brake Bend Development: Flat Length, Deduction and Hem Dimensions
- Press Brake Springback, K-Factor and Flat Length: A Practical Guide
- How to Calculate Sheet Metal Flat Length: Bend Allowance, K-Factor and Worked Examples
- How to Use a Press Brake Bending Rule: V-Opening, Minimum Flange, Radius and Tonnage
Tooling Selection
Punches, dies, systems, clamping and accessories.
- How to Select Press Brake Tooling That Fits the Part, Machine and Production Run
- Press Brake Punch Profiles: Straight, Gooseneck, Acute and Radius Options
- Standard Press Brake Die Selection: A Clear Route from Thickness to Tool
- Press Brake Clamping Systems: How the Interface Affects Accuracy and Changeover
- European Press Brake Tooling Systems: Choosing the Right Interface for Your Fleet
- Changing a Press Brake V-Opening: What to Check Before Switching Dies
- Press Brake Tooling Accessories That Make Setup More Repeatable
- Universal Press Brake Adapters: Where Compatibility Ends and Risk Begins
Setup & Accuracy
Installation, alignment, inspection and repeatability.
- Press Brake Tooling Setup Checklist: From Clean Surfaces to First Article
- Press Brake Die Holder Alignment: Preventing Angle Drift Across the Bend Line
- How to Install Press Brake Dies for a Clean, Repeatable First Bend
- Press Brake Bending Accuracy: Separate Tooling, Material and Machine Causes
- Parallelism and Crowning: Why Long Press Brake Bends Drift at the Center
- Press Brake Backgauge and Tooling: Align the Reference Before You Bend
- Sheet Metal Angle Measurement: How to Read a Multi-Range Angle Gauge
- Press Brake Angle Control: Springback, Overbending and In-Process Measurement
Special Forming
Custom, radius, mark-free and dedicated forming tools.
- When Can a Press Brake Die Be Modified? A Precision-First Decision Guide
- Radius Press Brake Tooling: When a Dedicated Profile Beats Bump Forming
- How to Control Press Brake Bend Radius Across Different Materials
- Large-Radius Press Brake Bending: Design the Sequence Before the Tool
- Bending a 2-Inch Radius on a Press Brake Without Cracks or Visible Steps
- Press Brake Forming Tools: Turning a Profile Drawing into a Controlled Sequence
- Deep U-Bending Tools and Press Brake Sequence Guide
- Curl and Rolled Edge Forming on a Press Brake: Sequence, Clearance and Control
- Mark-Free Stainless Steel Bending: Protecting Visible Surfaces Without Losing Repeatability
- Why Adhesive Tape Is Not a Reliable Substitute for Mark-Free Bending Tooling
- Custom Press Brake Tooling Design: From Drawing Review to Approved Production Tool
- How COVO Designs Special Forming Tools to Solve Complex Press Brake Problems
- Z-Bending Tools: One-Stroke Offset Forming for Sheet Metal Parts
- One-Stroke Hat Channel Forming Tool: Four Bends in One Cycle
- Oscillating Dies for Press Brakes: How Rotating Supports Improve Bending
Materials & Tool Care
Material behavior, manufacturing quality and maintenance.
- Press Brake Die Selection for Aluminum: Reduce Galling, Marks and Unstable Angles
- Forming UHMW and Other Engineering Plastics on a Press Brake
- When to Replace Press Brake Tooling: Wear, Damage and Quality Signals
- Galling on a Press Brake V-Die: Remove the Cause Before the Mark Spreads
- Press Brake Tooling Maintenance: A Short Routine That Protects Accuracy
- What Makes Press Brake Tooling Durable? Material, Heat Treatment and Inspection
- Steel Grades for Press Brake Bending: Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Weathering Steel
Process Planning
Bend sequencing, force planning and digital engineering.
- Press Brake Bending Methods: When to Use Air Bending, Bottoming or Hemming
- Press Brake Bending Force: Estimate Tonnage Before You Load the Tool
- Press Brake Bend Depth: How to Reach the Angle Without Chasing the Program
- Sheet Metal Bending Sequence Guide: How to Plan the Correct Press Brake Bending Order
- BendPilot: A Visual Workflow for Smarter Press Brake Planning
- Press Brake Bending Force: How to Estimate Tonnage Before Production
- Press Brake Bend Sequences: A Practical Strategy for C-Profiles and Deep Returns
- Sheet Metal Door Panel Corner Design: 5 Flat-Pattern Options for Easier Bending