Sheet metal bending machines can amplify productivity, streamline operations, and enhance precision by applying heat, force, and automation to the metal bending process. Due to the extreme temperatures, bending metals, and extreme pressure, it’s incredibly important to use sheet metal bending rules for safety.
Read on to learn about the possible dangers of using an automatic metal bending machine and the most important safety measures and precautions you should always take when operating one of these machines.
What are the Risks of Using an Automatic Sheet Metal Bending Machine?
While operating an automatic metal bending machine is completely safe as long as you follow the top safety precautions, being careless can carry some risks.
The first danger comes with working with sheet metal in general: cuts and lacerations. As metal is bent, shaped, and cut, it can develop sharp edges that can slice your skin. This could cause potentially serious injuries.
Additionally, during the process, the sheet metal is exposed to heat, which means it gets very hot, and unattentive operators could risk burns. If you rapidly cool the metal, you could also be at risk of cold burns.
When working with sheet metals another danger comes from the particulates. These enter the air as the metal is processed, which means little microscopic fragments can enter your respiratory system. This can be dangerous, particularly with long-term operations.
All of these risks demonstrate the seriousness of following safety measures and precautions when using an automatic sheet metal bending machine.
Safety Measures and Precautions When Operating an Automatic Metal Bending Machine
You can find safety precautions in sheet metal workshop PDF docs that offer general safety tips, but these are the most important precautions that relate specifically to bending machine operation. By following these sheet metal bending rules, you can ensure safety for you, your team, and your industrial operations.
Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before even thinking about using a metal bending machine, you need to suit yourself with PPE including safety goggles, safety gloves, and steel-toed work boots. These will protect your toes, eyes, and hands from falling, dislodged, sharp, or hot metal materials. To protect yourself from inhaling metal particulates you can also wear an N95 mask.
Familiarize Yourself with the Machine

If you have never used bending machines, you must learn how to operate them and make sure that you know everything about them before starting. This includes bending machines in general as well as the specific model you will be using to allow you to address emergencies quickly and protect yourself during your first use.
Read the instruction manual, ask the manufacturer any questions you have, and view videos. If possible, attend professional training or learn from someone who’s used the machine before.
Warm Machine Up Before Use

In cold weather, it’s smart to warm the machine up for a few minutes before use. This can ensure that the machine doesn’t become stressed by extreme changes in temperature while also optimizing performance. To warm up an automatic sheet metal bending machine, simply turn it on and set it in motion before you begin actually production or processing of materials.
Utilize Proper Bending Sheet Metal Rules

By using the proper rules for a metal curving machine including placement of the metal, you can protect yourself, the people around you, and the machine itself. When placing a sheet, hold it parallel with the bender. Then, double-check before starting it so that it doesn’t dislodge and come back and hit your body, causing potentially serious injuries.
Watch Your Hands and Other Hazards

Mind your hands during operation to make sure they don’t get in the way of the metal or bending process. Be attentive the entire time to avoid serious injuries caused by the machine or the material you’re bending. Additionally, make sure you don’t have any jewelry, hair strands, or loose clothing that could snag on portions of the machinery.
Choose a Machine from a Reputable Maker

By choosing a machine from an industry leader like Accurl, you can reduce the risk of injury due to the reliability and expertise of the manufacturing process. Plus, you can leverage built-in safety features and helpful customer support for proper use that guarantees a safe, efficient, and high-performance bending process.
Conclusion
Following necessary precautions like wearing proper PPE, knowing the machine before use, being attentive and careful, and placing the sheet metal correctly can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury to you, your colleagues, and the machine. That way, you can create precise bends with high efficiency and performance without compromising your own well-being.
If you want to learn about the added safety features of Accurl bending machines, click here to request information!