How many press brake tooling standards are there?
Four families cover almost every press brake in service: Amada, Trumpf / Wila, American precision and European (Promecam). They differ in tang size, punch height, segment lengths and clamping, and they are not interchangeable without adapters.
Comparison of the four tooling families
The table below puts the four families side by side. Use it to narrow down which family a machine belongs to before measuring in detail.
| Family | Tang or shank | Segments | Clamp | Typical machines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amada | 13 mm tang | 835 mm sets | Amada clamp geometry | Amada and compatible machines |
| Trumpf / Wila | 20 mm safety tang | 100 / 415 / 835 mm | Hydraulic or mechanical, pin retention | Trumpf, Wila, Bystronic |
| American | 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shank | Varies, often 1 in to 12 in | Separate punch holder | Accurpress, Cincinnati, Pacific, Wysong |
| European / Promecam | 13 mm tang | Commonly 415 / 835 mm | European clamp, ≈ 60 mm die body | LVD, SafanDarley, Adira, Bystronic |
Why are segment lengths different between families?
Segments let a tool set be assembled to match the bend length, and each family standardised its own set. A segmented set can be built up for a long bend or broken down for short bends and to clear an obstruction.
- 835 mm full length: the common nominal set length for Amada and European tooling.
- 100 / 415 / 835 mm: the Trumpf / Wila set, which makes up lengths flexibly.
- American: sections are usually specified by the job rather than from a fixed set.
- Mixing lengths: permitted within a family and set, provided the segments seat properly and the load is spread.
Which tooling standard is best?
None is better in the abstract; the machine decides. A machine's clamp, ram geometry and controller are built for one family, and working outside it costs repeatability, safety features and time.
| Family | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Amada | Very wide availability, many profiles | Easily confused with European tooling |
| Trumpf / Wila | Safe tool retention, accurate height repeat | Higher tool cost |
| American | Heavy-section dies, robust for thick plate | Bulkier setup, fewer tool holders |
| European | Wide choice, good value, easy to source | Lower load per metre on light dies |
Do the families share any dimensions?
Only the nominal tang of roughly 13 mm is shared, and even then the heights differ. Everything else, including the segment set, the clamp and the die body, is family-specific.
Related technical pages
Tooling compatibility guide
The measurement method that turns this table into a decision.
Tang and shank sizes compared
The interfaces themselves, explained.
Amada compatible tooling
Family one, in detail.
Trumpf / Wila compatible tooling
Family two, in detail.
Next step
Tell us the machine and we will confirm the family and quote tooling made for it.
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