Press-brakes are machines for bending sheet-metal. These machines are generally built up
out of a stationary lower beam and a vertically moving upper beam connected by a frame.
Conventional press-brakes are driven using one hydraulic cylinder at each end of the moving
upper beam. Because the workpiece is made between these actuators, both beams are exposed
to three-point bending. Deflection of the beams lead to unwanted variations in the bend-
angle along the length of the workpiece. To reduce this deflection, SAFAN has introduced
a patented pulley and belt drive system for the upper beam. The actuators now create a
distributed load rather than two local forces, reducing the deflection to 2% of the original
situation. This report concentrates on improving the lower beam.