European style press brake tooling — what is it?
European style press brake tooling centres on the 13 mm tang used by Promecam-derived machines, frequently with 60 mm or 80 mm die bodies and multi-V grooves. Modern European machines may also use the 20 mm safety tang, so the correct interface must be confirmed against the machine rather than assumed from the brand.
| Item | Reference value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Punch tang | 13 mm, or 20 mm safety tang on newer machines | Confirm which interface the clamp uses |
| Typical die body height | 60 mm / 80 mm | Also supplied in other heights to suit the machine |
| Multi-V grooves | commonly up to 4 openings | Lets one die body cover a thickness range |
| Bending method | Air bending is standard | Electric brakes favour precise, low-tonnage air bending |
| Machines often seen | LVD, SafanDarley, Adira, Bystronic | Also other Promecam-derived machines |
Which profiles are available?
Profiles are supplied to the standard dimensions of the system, so they can be combined with existing tooling of the same system. Special profiles, radii and offsets are produced to drawing.
| Profile | Angle range | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / straight punch | 28°–90° | General bending on electric and hydraulic brakes |
| Gooseneck punch | 30°–88° | Return flanges and box work |
| Acute punch | 28°–60° | Springback compensation |
| Radius punch | varies | Controlled radius on visible surfaces |
| Single-V die, 60 / 80 mm body | 30° / 88° | Precision air bending |
| Multi-V die | up to 4 openings | Thickness range in one body |
| Rolla-V (rotary) die | 30°–90° | Mark-free bending on coated sheet |
Why European machines reward good tooling
Electric and hybrid press brakes control ram depth very precisely and are usually run in air bending. That precision only pays off if the tooling is ground consistently: variation in punch height or tip radius between segments shows up directly as angle variation along the part. For this reason European style tooling is normally supplied precision-ground and matched across the set.
What to check before ordering
- Tang interface. 13 mm or 20 mm safety tang — do not assume from the brand.
- Die body height. Height must suit the machine bed and any crowning system.
- Groove set. Choose the V openings that cover your thickness range.
- Marking. For visible parts, consider a Rolla-V die or a non-marking punch.
Frequently asked questions
These are the questions buyers ask most often when specifying tooling for this system.
- Which press brakes use European style press brake tooling?
- LVD, SafanDarley, Adira and Bystronic machines are the most common, along with other presses derived from the Promecam design. Because modern European machines are also supplied with 20 mm safety tang clamps, confirm the actual interface on your machine.
- What tang size does European press brake tooling use?
- 13 mm is the traditional Promecam-derived tang. Many current European machines use a 20 mm safety tang instead. The two are not interchangeable, so identify the clamp on your machine before ordering.
- What is a 60 mm or 80 mm die body and does it matter?
- It is the overall height of the die body. The height must suit your machine bed and any crowning system, and it affects how much of the die sits above the bed. Confirm the correct height for your machine.
- Is European tooling suitable for electric press brakes?
- Yes. Electric and hybrid brakes are usually run in air bending with precise ram control, and they benefit from precision-ground tooling that is matched across the full set so that bend angle stays consistent along the part.
Confirm the system for your machine
Send the machine make and model, or a photo of the punch tang and the clamp, and we will confirm the tooling system and quote standard or special tooling.
Email [email protected]Related pages
The pages below cover the other tooling systems and the technical reference data used when specifying tooling.
- Amada compatible tooling — 13 mm tang, 835 mm segmented sets. The most widely used system in North America.
- Trumpf / Wila compatible tooling — 20 mm safety tang with locking pins, in 100 / 415 / 835 mm segments.
- American style tooling — 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shank punches and heavy-section dies for Accurpress, Cincinnati, Pacific and Wysong.
- Press brake tooling guide — profiles, shank standards and selection rules
- V-die opening selection chart — tonnage per metre and minimum flange