Automatic indexer for a sheet bending brake

摘要

An automatic indexer a portable sheet bending brake having a first longitudinally extending member forming a clamp surface, a second longitudinally extending member movable with respect to the first member for clamping sheet material against the clamp surface, and a third member pivotally coupled to the second member for bending sheet material clamped between the first and second members over a bending anvil on the forward edge of the second member. The indexer includes a pair of slides having means for mounting the slides parallel to each other and spaced from each other lengthwise of the clamp surface on the bending brake. A pair of carriages are each slidably disposed on one of the slides, and a bar extends longitudinally between the carriages for engagement with an edge of sheet material inserted between the first and second members of the sheet bending brake. The carriages are resiliently biased toward the clamp surface of the sheet bending brake, and means are coupled to the carriages for relating distance between the anvil to the edge of sheet material in engagement with the bar. This distance is either a direct measure to the edge of the anvil for forming indexed bends, or an offset distance with respect to the anvil for indexing the sheet material for a cut employing a manual slitter that cuts the material at a predetermined offset distance from the anvil edge. Thus, the indexer automatically squares the cut or bend to the edge in engagement with the indexer, and automatically positions the bend or cut with respect to the anvil edge as controlled by the indexer.