1400mm Long Counterblade for Flexible Panel Bender

The 1400mm Long Panel Bender Counterblade is a precision fixed lower support tool designed for flexible panel benders and automated sheet metal bending centers. Installed beneath the sheet, it works with the upper blankholder to clamp, support and position the material accurately along the programmed bending line.

This counterblade has an overall width of 128 mm, an overall height of 65 mm and a reinforced load-bearing height of 40 mm. Its extended 1400 mm construction provides a longer continuous supporting surface than the previous 1000 mm model, making it suitable for larger panels, long enclosures and extended flange-bending applications.

During the bending cycle, the blankholder clamps the sheet against the counterblade. The counterblade remains the stable lower reference while the upper or lower bending blade follows its CNC-controlled trajectory to form the projecting flange.

The tool is manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel and receives overall quenching and through-hardening to HRC46–52. For a 1400 mm counterblade, careful control of material preparation, heat treatment, machining and straightness is essential to maintain consistent support across the complete working length.

WYS Machinery can manufacture replacement and customized counterblades according to original tooling drawings, physical samples, machine mounting dimensions and customer workpiece requirements.

Key Features

• Fixed lower support tool for flexible panel benders
• Extended continuous length of 1400 mm
• Overall width of 128 mm
• Overall height of 65 mm
• Reinforced load-bearing height of 40 mm
• Longer working surface than the 1000 mm model
• Suitable for long panels and extended bending lines
• Works with the upper blankholder to clamp the sheet
• Provides a stable reference for upper and lower blade movements
• Multiple mounting holes support installation and alignment
• Manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel
• Overall quenched and through-hardened
• Finished hardness of HRC46–52
• Available as replacement or customized panel bender tooling
• Custom lengths, mounting holes and profiles available

Technical Specifications

Function and Working Principle

The counterblade is the fixed lower component in the panel bender tooling system. It supports the sheet from below and works with the blankholder to define the bending line.

During a typical bending cycle:

• The sheet is positioned over the counterblade.
• The upper blankholder moves toward the material.
• The sheet is clamped between the blankholder and counterblade.
• The counterblade provides stable lower support.
• The upper or lower bending blade forms the projecting flange.
• The blankholder releases the material after the bend.

The counterblade does not perform the main forming movement. Its purpose is to provide stable support, accurate sheet positioning and a consistent lower reference.

Difference from the 1000mm Counterblade

The 1400 mm version expands the available clamping and supporting length while retaining the principal profile and working function of the shorter model.

40mm Load-Bearing Section

The 40 mm load-bearing height is the reinforced structural section responsible for receiving and transmitting supporting and blankholding forces during the panel bending cycle.

This section helps provide:

• Stable support beneath the sheet
• Reliable transfer of blankholding force
• Structural rigidity across the working length
• Consistent reference height
• Resistance to repeated operating loads
• Reduced risk of unwanted tool deformation

The required load-bearing dimensions can be customized for different machine structures and operating conditions.

128mm Support Profile

The 128 mm width provides a broad structural profile for reliable support and machine installation. Its tapered upper geometry positions the working area near the bending line, while the stepped lower section provides clearance for mounting and surrounding machine components.

This profile can be customized according to:

• Machine installation dimensions
• Blankholder geometry
• Required bending-line position
• Upper and lower blade trajectories
• Mounting-hole arrangement
• Workpiece and flange geometry

1400mm Continuous Support Length

The extended 1400 mm length is the main characteristic of this model. It provides a continuous lower reference beneath long sheet metal components.

Advantages include:

• Longer uninterrupted supporting surface
• Suitability for extended bending lines
• Reduced need for multiple short sections
• Consistent reference geometry across larger panels
• Easier alignment for appropriate long-tool installations
• Support for long doors, cabinets and enclosure panels

The actual usable bending length depends on the panel bender configuration and tooling installation.

Straightness and Alignment Requirements

Long counterblades require careful dimensional control because variation across the working length can influence sheet contact and clamping consistency.

Important inspection points include:

• Straightness across 1400 mm
• Parallelism of supporting and mounting surfaces
• Consistent working height
• Mounting-hole position
• Profile uniformity
• Heat-treatment deformation
• Alignment with the upper blankholder

WYS inspects the critical dimensions according to the confirmed drawing and customer requirements.

42CrMo Material and Heat Treatment

The counterblade is manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel and undergoes overall quenching and through-hardening to HRC46–52.

This manufacturing standard helps provide:

• Reliable mechanical strength
• Consistent hardness through the tool body
• Resistance to repeated clamping loads
• Improved wear resistance
• Stable supporting geometry
• A suitable combination of toughness and hardness

Heat-treatment control is particularly important for long tools because excessive distortion can affect straightness and alignment.

Role in the Complete Panel Bender Tooling System

Unlike a conventional press brake lower die, this counterblade does not use a V-opening. It supports the sheet while the bending blades move around the clamped bending line.

Typical Applications

This long counterblade can support the production of:

• Long electrical cabinet panels
• Control enclosures
• Switchgear systems
• Elevator doors and panels
• Metal doors and frames
• HVAC and ventilation panels
• Server and communication cabinets
• Storage cabinets and shelving
• Industrial equipment covers
• Stainless steel kitchen equipment
• Appliance housings
• Lighting enclosures
• Metal furniture components
• Long box-shaped sheet metal parts
• Multi-sided enclosures
• Customized industrial panels and profiles

Actual suitability depends on the machine model, sheet dimensions, material thickness, tooling arrangement and workpiece geometry.

Product Details and Manufacturing Quality

Each 1400 mm counterblade can be manufactured according to an original technical drawing, physical sample or confirmed machine-interface dimensions.

The production and inspection process may include:

• 42CrMo raw-material verification
• CNC profile machining
• Precision mounting-hole machining
• Controlled overall quenching
• Through-hardening
• Precision machining after heat treatment
• Width and height inspection
• Load-bearing section verification
• Mounting-hole position inspection
• Straightness inspection
• Parallelism inspection
• Supporting-surface inspection
• Final dimensional and visual inspection

Particular attention is given to straightness and working-height consistency across the complete 1400 mm length.

Replacement Panel Bender Counterblades

This product can be supplied as a replacement counterblade, fixed lower blade or lower support tool for flexible panel benders with a matching installation interface.

To confirm compatibility, customers should provide:

• Machine brand and model
• Original counterblade drawing
• Machine mounting dimensions
• Existing tool measurements
• Physical tooling sample
• Mounting-hole pattern
• Installation photographs
• Required working length
• Matching blankholder information

Compatibility should be confirmed using actual tool dimensions rather than assumed from the machine brand alone.

Standard and Custom Panel Bender Tooling

WYS Machinery manufactures complete tooling for flexible panel benders and CNC panel bending centers, including:

• Blankholder tools
• Relieved blankholders
• Counterblades
• Upper bending blades
• Lower bending blades
• Long continuous tooling
• Matched tool sections
• Special panel bender tools
• Custom replacement tooling

Available counterblade customization options include:

• Overall width and height
• Load-bearing height
• Working profile
• Continuous tool length
• Segmented construction
• Mounting-hole quantity and position
• Machine installation interface
• Heat-treatment requirements
• Surface treatment
• Special clearance geometry

WYS provides free tooling evaluation and design support based on original tooling drawings, physical samples or finished product drawings.

Why Choose WYS Panel Bender Tooling

• Long panel bender tools manufactured from drawings or samples
• 42CrMo alloy steel construction
• Controlled overall quenching and through-hardening
• Precision-machined supporting and mounting surfaces
• Attention to straightness on 1400 mm tooling
• Custom continuous and segmented lengths
• Replacement counterblades for flexible panel benders
• Complete blankholder and bending blade solutions
• Free tooling evaluation and design support
• Dimensional inspection before delivery
• Protective packaging for long industrial tooling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a panel bender counterblade?

A counterblade is the fixed lower support tool that works with the upper blankholder to clamp and position the sheet along the bending line.

How does this model differ from the previous counterblade?

The principal confirmed difference is its 1400 mm length. The previous model is 1000 mm long, while this version provides a longer continuous supporting surface.

Is the counterblade the same as a lower bending blade?

No. The counterblade remains fixed and supports the sheet. The lower bending blade moves against the projecting flange to perform an upward bend.

What does the 40 mm load-bearing height mean?

It is the reinforced structural section that receives and transfers supporting and blankholding forces during operation.

What material and hardness are used?

The tool is manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel, overall quenched and through-hardened to HRC46–52.

Can other lengths be manufactured?

Yes. WYS can manufacture customized continuous lengths, segmented counterblades or matched sections.

Can the mounting-hole pattern be customized?

Yes. The hole quantity, position and installation interface can be produced according to original drawings or samples.