COVO · MANUFACTURING

From a steel blank, to a precise bend.

Follow the production of a press brake tool, from material and drawing review to the finished working profile. Each stage connects machining, treatment and inspection with the requirements of your bending application.

Arrange a factory visit · Explore the process
A grinding wheel finishing the working surface of a long tool
COVO manufacturing · Process in focus

THE PRODUCTION ROUTE

Six stages. One continuous standard.

Material preparation, machining, treatment, grinding, inspection and dispatch form a connected production route. See what each stage does and what needs to be checked before the next.

Stage 01

Material selection & preparation

A reliable tool starts with a clear specification.

Review the drawing, application and material batch before production. Punches and dies use 42CrMo4, lower-load dies and holders use C45, and nitrided tooling uses 39NiCrMo3. Stock is ultrasonically tested and supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate; forging and stress relief prepare a stable blank where required.

Steel grades
42CrMo4 · C45 · 39NiCrMo3
Material verification
EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate; ultrasonic-tested stock

Stage 02

CNC profile machining

Establish the geometry and its reference surfaces.

The profile is milled on four-axis CNC machining centres, with the shank and shoulder finished in one clamping to keep their relationship square. Rough machining establishes the main geometry and a controlled allowance for heat treatment and final grinding.

Machining centres
12 × four-axis CNC machining centres
Profile tolerance
±0.05 mm before grinding

Stage 03

Heat treatment

Balance a wear-resistant working face with a tough core.

The tool body is quenched and tempered to a strength of 1,100–1,200 N/mm². The working radius is induction-hardened to HRC 52–58 with a hardened depth of 3–5 mm, combining a wear-resistant edge with a tough core. These values describe the working-edge treatment, not every surface of every tool.

Working-edge hardness
HRC 52–58
Hardened depth & body
3–5 mm; body strength 1,100–1,200 N/mm²

Stage 04

Precision grinding & segmentation

Bring the working profile to its final form.

After heat treatment, height, shank and working faces are precision-ground over the full length. Height and straightness are held to ±0.02 mm over lengths up to 4,000 mm. Standard or custom segments are prepared with attention to end faces, burr removal and the fit of the tooling set.

Height & straightness
±0.02 mm over 4,000 mm
Working-face finish
Ra 0.8

Stage 05

Quality inspection

Verify the tool against the drawing before release.

Three CMMs and a 4 m straightness bench support dimensional inspection. Each tool is checked for height, straightness and angle; hardness is verified per batch. Drawing review and practical bend verification connect the measurements with the application, and reports are filed by serial number.

Inspection equipment
3 × CMM and a 4 m straightness bench
Traceable records
Height, angle and hardness reports linked to the serial number

Stage 06

Protection, marking & dispatch

Keep the tool identifiable and protected through delivery.

Complete the specified surface protection and fibre-laser marking of the model code, length and serial number. Black oxide options and OEM marking are arranged to the order. Tooling is protected with anti-rust oil and VCI film, then prepared in wooden crates with the required shipping documents.

Identification
Fibre laser: model code, length and serial; OEM marking as agreed
Protective packing
Wooden crates, anti-rust oil and VCI film

QUALITY AT RELEASE

Measured against the drawing. Prepared for your application.

Before marking, each tool is measured for height, straightness and angle, and hardness is checked per batch. Records are filed by serial number so the production and inspection information can be traced after delivery.

A tooling component with an inspection label and protective wrapping

  • Dimensions & geometry

    Height and straightness ±0.02 mm over the full length; angle and radius checked against the specification.

  • Material & hardness

    Working-radius hardness HRC 52–58, verified per batch against the material and treatment requirements.

  • Surface & working faces

    Ra 0.8 on the working faces, with final surface-condition checks before protection.

  • Records & identification

    CMM, material and hardness reports linked to tooling identification; document needs agreed before release.

  • ISO 9001:2015
  • CE-marked holders
  • EN 10204 3.1 material certificates
  • RoHS-compliant coatings
Discuss inspection requirements

BEFORE YOUR FIRST ORDER

Steel, hardness and the details that matter.

Five practical questions to help define a tooling order. Share your drawing and application when a requirement needs a more specific answer.

What material is used for the tooling?

Punches and dies use 42CrMo4 (1.7225); lower-load dies and holders use C45; tooling specified for nitriding uses 39NiCrMo3. Stock is ultrasonically tested and supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate. The final grade is confirmed with the drawing and order.

How are hardness and heat treatment specified?

The working radius is induction-hardened to HRC 52–58, with a hardened depth of 3–5 mm. The tool body is tempered to a strength of 1,100–1,200 N/mm². These values apply to the specified working-edge treatment; the final process follows the material and tooling drawing.

How are height and straightness tolerances agreed?

Working height and straightness are controlled to ±0.02 mm over the full ground length, up to 4,000 mm in one piece. The working faces have a finish of Ra 0.8. Confirm the required drawing dimensions, segmentation and fitting criteria with the order.

Can inspection reports and material documents be supplied?

CMM reports, hardness reports and material certificates can be supplied. Inspection records are linked to the laser-marked serial number for traceability. Agree the documents and any specific acceptance requirements before ordering.

What is the lead time for custom tooling?

Lead time is confirmed after the drawing, quantity, material, treatment and inspection requirements have been reviewed. Send the part drawing and press brake interface details to receive a tooling proposal and delivery schedule.

Ask a tooling engineer

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR TOOLING

See the process. Discuss your next part.

Arrange a factory visit or ask about a video walkthrough. For a tooling project, send the part drawing, material, thickness and press brake interface to start the discussion.

Contact COVO · Browse tooling
Back to top