sales@bramleyaerospace.co.uk

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CNC Press Brake Bending And Sheet Metal Folding

Bramley Aerospace provides sheet metal bending and metal folding services for aerospace, defence and advanced engineering customers.

Using our 225-tonne Bystronic CNC press brake, we form sheet and plate into brackets, panels, guards, covers, channels and fabrication-ready components. The machine provides a working length of 4,100 mm and supports prototype, one-off, low-volume and repeat production requirements.

Profiling, machining, welding, fabrication, finishing and assembly can also be managed through our wider in-house manufacturing services.

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Speak to Our Engineering Team

4,100 mm

bending capacity

225-tonne

press brake

UK based

experienced engineering team

Sheet metal bending for demanding engineering projects

Sheet metal bending turns flat sheet or plate into a three-dimensional component that can be fitted, welded, assembled or used as part of a larger structure.

For aerospace, defence and advanced engineering projects, the quality of each bend can affect fit, strength, alignment, welding access and the performance of the completed assembly. Bend position, internal radius, material thickness and springback all need to be considered before production begins.

Bramley Aerospace supports customers by reviewing:

  • Engineering drawings and CAD data
  • Material grade and thickness
  • Bend angles and internal radii
  • Bend lines and hole positions
  • Tolerance requirements
  • Component orientation and bend sequence
  • Welding, machining and assembly requirements
  • Inspection and traceability requirements

This practical review helps identify potential manufacturing issues before bending sheet metal, supporting a more controlled route into production.

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Why choose Bramley Aerospace for metal bending services?

Choosing a folding partner means choosing a team that understands how the formed part will be used, not just how it will be bent. Bramley Aerospace supports folding requirements with practical engineering input, wider in-house capability and a controlled approach to manufacture.

Engineering input before manufacture

We review each component in context rather than treating folding as an isolated process. Our team considers material behaviour, bend geometry, tolerances and how the part will be used or assembled.

Connected profiling and bending

Sheet metal bending can be planned alongside laser cutting, water jet cutting, guillotine cutting, drilling and other profiling processes. This helps maintain alignment between the flat profile, bend lines and finished component.

Further manufacturing under one roof

Formed parts can move into CNC machining, welding, fabrication, fitting, wet spray finishing and assembly. Keeping these stages together reduces supplier handovers and gives customers one accountable engineering team.

Support for bespoke requirements

Our metal folding services are suited to non-standard components, prototype work, one-off items, low-volume batches and repeat requirements. We can also support larger project-based fabrications and assemblies.

Controlled and repeatable manufacture

CNC control helps our team manage bend positions, sequences and angles consistently across individual parts and repeat batches. Requirements are reviewed against the agreed drawing and production information.

Responsive British engineering

Customers work with a UK-based engineering team that understands the importance of clear communication, practical problem-solving, traceability and dependable project support.
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In-house CNC bending technology

Bystronic Xact Smart 225/4100 CNC Press Brake

Our principal sheet metal bending machine is a Bystronic Xact Smart 225/4100 CNC press brake. It provides 225 tonnes of pressing force and a working length of 4,100 mm, supporting long folds, larger formed sections and repeat production requirements.

CNC control helps our team plan bend sequences and produce consistent angles and positions across individual components and repeat batches. The machine is supplied with tooling for a range of sheet and plate forming requirements.

Machine specification

  • Machine type: CNC hydraulic press brake
  • Year: 2018
  • Maximum pressing force: 2,250 kN, equivalent to 225 tonnes
  • Maximum bending length: 4,100 mm
  • Distance between side frames: 3,420 mm
  • Throat depth: 400 mm
  • Maximum backgauge range: 800 mm
  • Main motor power: 15 kW
  • Approximate machine weight: 15 tonnes
  • CNC control: ByVision Bending, subject to installed configuration

Sheet metal bending for components, equipment and assemblies

Bramley Aerospace provides sheet metal bending for aerospace, defence and advanced engineering applications. We support everything from individual brackets and covers to formed parts for larger fabricated structures, specialist equipment and complete assemblies.

Components we form

  • Brackets and mounting plates
  • Panels, guards and protective covers
  • Trays, channels and formed sections
  • Housings and enclosures
  • Structural and support components
  • Fabrication-ready folded parts
  • Cut and folded parts for welded assemblies

Applications we support

  • Aircraft staging and access equipment
  • Handling and transportability equipment
  • Jigs, fixtures and inspection equipment
  • Trolleys and component cradles
  • Fabricated structures and frames
  • Specialist machinery and production equipment

Materials we work with

Our sheet metal bending and metal folding services can support:

  • Mild steel
  • Carbon steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Aluminium
  • Other suitable sheet and plate materials, subject to technical review
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Our sheet bending process

Our process helps customers move from initial requirement to formed component with practical checks built in before manufacture starts.
01

Send your requirement

Share your drawing, CAD file, sketch or project brief, along with the material specification, thickness, quantity, bend details, tolerance requirements and any follow-on manufacturing needs.
02

Technical review

Our team reviews the component geometry, bend positions, material behaviour, tooling requirements and proposed bend sequence. We also consider whether the part will require machining, welding, coating, inspection or assembly.
03

Production route agreed

We confirm a suitable manufacturing route based on the requirement. This may involve sheet metal bending as a standalone service or combine profiling, folding and further in-house production.
04

CNC bending and further manufacture

The component is formed using the Bystronic Xact Smart CNC press brake. Where required, it can then move into drilling, machining, welding, fabrication, fitting, finishing or assembly.
05

Inspection and delivery

Completed components are checked against the agreed production information before delivery. Inspection records, material traceability, documentation and specific handling requirements can be reviewed at the start of the project.

From prototype development to repeat production

Bramley Aerospace supports sheet metal folding at different stages of the engineering process.

Customers may require a prototype to check fit and function, a one-off formed component for a bespoke assembly or a small batch for development and testing. We can also support repeat requirements where controlled bending and consistent communication are important.

Because design support and manufacturing sit closely together, our team can review manufacturability before production and advise on a practical route from flat profile to completed component.

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Inspection, traceability and controlled manufacture

Sheet metal bending requirements are reviewed against the agreed drawing, material specification, bend details and tolerance requirements before production begins.

Completed components are checked against the agreed production information before delivery. Where required, material traceability, inspection records, documentation, finish requirements and specific handling arrangements can be considered as part of the manufacturing route.

Keeping profiling, bending, machining, fabrication and finishing within one engineering team also provides clearer accountability across the wider project.

Request a Sheet Metal Bending Quote

Request a sheet metal bending quote

Have a drawing, CAD file or metal bending requirement to discuss?

Send us the material specification, thickness, dimensions, bend details, quantity and tolerance requirements. Please also include any downstream processes such as cutting, machining, welding, finishing or assembly.

Our engineering team will review the information and advise on a suitable manufacturing route.

Request a Sheet Metal Bending Quote
Speak to Our Engineering Team

Sheet metal bending FAQs

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What sheet metal bending services does Bramley Aerospace provide?
We provide CNC sheet metal bending for brackets, panels, guards, covers, channels, formed sections and fabrication-ready components. Work can be supplied as a standalone service or integrated with profiling, machining, welding, finishing and assembly.
What is the difference between sheet metal bending and sheet metal folding?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both describe forming flat sheet or plate into an angled or shaped component, commonly using a CNC press brake and suitable tooling.
What press brake machine do you use?
We use a Bystronic Xact Smart 225/4100 CNC press brake, manufactured in 2018. It provides 225 tonnes of pressing force and a working length of 4,100 mm.
Which materials can you bend?
We can review mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium bending requirements. Suitability depends on the material grade, thickness, component dimensions, required radius and bend geometry.
Can components be cut before bending and welded afterwards?
Yes. Components can be laser cut, water jet cut, drilled or otherwise profiled before folding. After bending, parts can move into machining, welding, fabrication, fitting, finishing and assembly.
What information should I provide for a quote?
Please provide a drawing, CAD file or sketch together with the material specification, thickness, quantity, bend angles, internal radii and tolerance requirements. Include any cutting, machining, welding, coating or assembly requirements where applicable.

Supporting Services

Folding is often one stage in a broader manufacturing requirement. Bramley Aerospace can support additional services in-house, helping customers move from cut and formed material to finished part, fabricated item or complete assembly with clearer control and fewer supplier handovers.

Laser Cutting

Our CNC fibre laser cutting service produces accurate profiles, holes and cut features before bending, helping maintain alignment between the flat component, bend lines and finished form.
Explore Laser Cutting Services

CNC machining

Laser-cut blanks and profiles can move into CNC milling, turning, drilling and other machining operations where tighter features or three-dimensional details are required.
Explore CNC Machining Services

Water Jet Cutting

For thicker materials, heat-sensitive metals or profiles better suited to a cold-cutting process, our water jet cutting service provides a practical alternative to laser cutting.
Explore Water Jet Cutting Services