A Unique Off-the-shelf Forming Tool

Precise Rotary Forming Motion

• “Benders” transfer the vertical movement of any press into a precise, rotary forming motion. This allows the bender to easily overbend past 90° to counter material springback, a distinct mechanical advantage.
• READY Benders® give tool designers and metal stampers a way to produce tooling that holds consistent part angle tolerances, especially when higher volume production is required.

Standard In Stock Benders

• This catalog explains how standard benders form 90° bends in virtually any press working situation, from intricate progressive dies running at 250 spm, to large, fully automated panel forming machines.
• Our READY Bender® is designed specifically to replace most wipe tooling applications. This catalog explains why Benders are the better choice for you.
• Almost any length bend in practically any thickness of metal can be made using either in stock benders or by specifying your special requirements.

Special READY Benders®

• The bender is a highly efficient method of producing a wide range of different forms in metal. We make special benders, quoted by application. Use the worksheet on the back cover and fax prints for a quotation.

1. Benders increase part quality

• Hold + 1/2° angle tolerance, no “coining” required
• Overbend up to 120° in one press stroke
• Benders are more tolerant of material thickness variations
• Hold consistent leg heights, eliminate cams and re-strikes
• Hole locations near bends are usually not distorted
• Form prepainted and decorative metal without tool marks
• Ideal for forming high strength steel and aluminum
• Form narrow channels and short leg bends

2. Benders reduce tooling costs

• Less expensive than wipe tooling - compare the costs for yourself.
• Reduce operations and eliminate die stations
• Decrease forming tonnage by 50% to 80%
• The “Hemmer” reduces operations and costs

3. Benders work better in production and form metal consistently

• Compare the forming action:

Download PDF Version
of Catalog

READY Benders -
standard off the shelf

Wipe Tooling -
tryout and regrind

• self-contained form station

• costly extras needed

• rotary action is gentle

• material can hump or slide

• overbend for springback
• consistent angles, leg heights, hole locations

• bottom to “coin” radii
• inconsistent angles, leg heights, hole locations

• internal spring returns rocker

• scrapes and galls on up strokes

Features

1. Rockers: fully hardened (Rc 56 to 62), S-7 tool steel.
2. Saddles: machinable thru hardened steel; mounting holes left for diemaker to locate where needed. See mounting hole patterns on READY High Production Bender series.
3. Saddle socket is coated for lubrication and long life. Saddle has flush mount lube fittings.
4. Rockers and saddles are CNC ground for precision and interchangeability.
5. Rocker angle is 87° on all standard benders. This allows for 3° of overbend to produce consistent 90° forms in mild steel. Harder steel or larger part radii may require more overbend. Rocker angles can be specified at time of order or altered by the diemaker.
6. Designed to produce up to one million parts, ideal for most stamping dies.
7. In stock lengths: 12”, 24” and up to 36” long.
8. Segment stock lengths to reduce your tooling budget; quick delivery.
9. Custom lengths available, specify.

Dart Stiffeners ... Benders Make it Easy

Standard darts are shown below or you can specify your own angle and dowel size. Darts are rolled into the part during bending, reducing springback and stiffening the part. Darts are produced using dowels through the rocker and require relief grooves in the anvil. The side angles of the darts are a function of the angle and size of the dowel.

Darts are available as specifiable extras on all READY Benders®. Darts are central on a 45° angle unless detailed.

Tooth Benders ... Eliminate Part/Die Interferences

Tooth benders use special rockers to eliminate die/part interferences. Often the saddle needs to be made special without gibs in one piece. Send prints for a quotation.

Over Square Bends ... up to 120° in one press stroke

The READY Bender’s® ability to bend 30° beyond ninety (120° PA) is one of its greatest features. Customers buy standards and do this simple alteration themselves, adding a degree or two of overbend to the rocker. This easy alteration is done by grinding the bending jaw of the rocker, while not disturbing the working radius of the bending lobe (grind past centerline).

The "Hemmer"

• Eliminate Die Stations and Operations
• Use in Progressive Dies, Automated Machines

This patented tool can form a slightly open bend completely flat in one vertical press stroke. Use it to form UP or DOWN in high production stamping dies and automated machines. Eliminate the cam action “pre-hem” operation and do hems in two stations instead of three. We use full hard D-2 rockers and special READY High Production style saddles. This is a special bender, yet attractively priced. All hem applications should be quoted by READY. Fax prints and the worksheet on the back cover. We usually suggest a test-bend using your material to accurately predict results and select the right hemmer design. We charge a modest fee for this service, based upon the application.

Important Hemmer Functions

1. Diameter may be chosen more by leg height than material thickness.
2. Testing is highly recommended on all hem applications to help determine proper positioning.
3. Pressure pad needed to avoid sliding as hemmer contacts and flattens.
4. Maximum hemmer length is 12”. For longer lengths, butt end-to-end with .010” gap between saddles.

Pad Benders

Pads can help in many bender applications. By activating the bender on top of a pad, you isolate the rocker from the part on the critical holddown surface. NO CONTACT = NO MARK.

Important Pad Functions

1. Pads can be designed to match a part’s “irregular” shape on one side yet be flat and parallel on the surface that the bender contacts.
2. Eliminates rocker contact and impact on part holddown surface.
3. To protect a part cutout or hole from distortion due to its proximity to the bend line.
4. To eliminate humping of the material when the application dictates upsizing the rocker diameter. The pad provides holddown pressure close to the bend radius.
5. To match a standard rocker diameter to the Zee bend or offset vertical height. Allows use of standard rockers versus making specials.

When Using Pads, READY Technology Recommends:

1. Locate the pad and its shoulder screws/spools as close as possible to the tangency point of the radius. This location and bushings or guides will prevent the pad from tipping.
2. Springs to lift the pad should work separately from the spring return of the bender.
3. Additional part holddown may be required in some applications (pilots, die springs or nitrogen cylinders).

For More Information

For more information and specifications on Ready Benders ®, view the PDF version of the catalog.

Bending Without Tool Marks

READY Benders® normally leave a slight burnish or shine mark on both part surfaces. This is a big improvement over wipe tool scrapes and gouges.

Elimination of tool marks is not just for prepainted metal - one of our big success areas. Use of pads (bottom, left) and highly polished steel rockers are very successful on prepaint and other decorative surfaces. Depending on acceptable tool mark criteria, we have the solution to most situations. Test--bending is the safe approach. For a modest fee, we will form your material using our benders and send you a report with your sample for evaluation.

Solid Delrin® Rockers or Delrin® Inserted Rockers are used without pads on low to medium production applications.