The 128mm Wide Panel Bender Counterblade is a precision fixed lower support tool designed for flexible panel benders and CNC panel bending centers. Installed beneath the sheet metal, it works with the upper blankholder to clamp, support and position the material along the programmed bending line.

The counterblade has an overall width of 128 mm, an overall height of 65 mm and a 40 mm load-bearing height. Its broad upper profile provides a stable supporting reference, while the stepped lower geometry creates the required mounting and machine clearance. The standard tool length is 1000 mm.

During the bending cycle, the upper blankholder moves toward the sheet and clamps it against this fixed counterblade. Once the material is secured, the upper or lower bending blade follows its CNC-controlled trajectory to form the projecting flange. The counterblade remains the stable lower reference for the complete operation.

Manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel, the tool receives overall quenching and through-hardening to HRC46–52. Precision machining and controlled heat treatment help provide reliable structural strength, wear resistance and dimensional stability during repeated industrial panel bending cycles.

WYS Machinery manufactures standard and custom panel bender counterblades according to original tooling drawings, physical samples, machine mounting dimensions and customer-specific sheet metal applications.

Key Features

Fixed lower support tool for flexible panel benders
Overall width of 128 mm
Overall height of 65 mm
Load-bearing height of 40 mm
Standard tool length of 1000 mm
Manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel
Overall quenched and through-hardened
Finished hardness of HRC46–52
Wide supporting profile provides a stable sheet reference
Stepped geometry provides mounting and operating clearance
Multiple mounting holes support secure installation
Works with the upper blankholder to clamp sheet metal
Establishes a stable reference along the bending line
Suitable for replacement and custom panel bender tooling
Custom lengths, hole patterns and profiles available

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value
Product Type	Counterblade / Fixed Lower Support Tool
Tooling Category	Panel Bender Tooling
Application	Flexible Panel Bender / CNC Panel Bending Center
Overall Width	128 mm
Overall Height	65 mm
Load-Bearing Height	40 mm
Standard Length	1000 mm
Material	42CrMo Alloy Steel
Heat Treatment	Overall Quenching / Through-Hardening
Hardness	HRC46–52
Installation Position	Fixed Lower Position
Main Function	Sheet Support and Bending-Line Reference
Mounting Method	Multiple Mounting Holes
Custom Length	Available
Custom Hole Pattern	Available
Custom Profile	Available
Machine Compatibility	According to Confirmed Interface Dimensions

Function and Working Principle

The counterblade is one of the core components in a flexible panel bender tooling system. It provides a stable lower surface beneath the sheet and works with the blankholder to establish the bending line.

A typical panel bending cycle includes the following coordinated functions:

The sheet is positioned by the panel bender.
The blankholder moves toward the sheet.
The material is clamped between the blankholder and counterblade.
The counterblade supports the sheet from below.
The upper or lower bending blade forms the projecting flange.
The blankholder releases the sheet after the bend is completed.

Because the counterblade remains a stable lower reference, its dimensional accuracy, straightness and alignment directly influence sheet positioning and bending consistency.

Role in the Complete Panel Bender Tooling System

Tooling Component	Main Function
Blankholder Tool	Clamps the sheet from above
Counterblade	Provides fixed lower support and bending reference
Upper Bending Blade	Produces controlled downward bending
Lower Bending Blade	Produces controlled upward bending
Special Panel Bender Tools	Support special clearance or forming requirements

Unlike a conventional press brake lower die, a panel bender counterblade does not contain a traditional V-opening. It supports and secures the flat sheet while the bending blades move around the established bending line.

40mm Load-Bearing Height

The 40 mm load-bearing height refers to the vertical working section that receives and transfers the clamping and supporting forces during the panel bending cycle.

This reinforced section helps provide:

Stable support beneath the sheet
Reliable transfer of blankholding force
Resistance to repeated clamping loads
Consistent positioning along the bending line
Structural rigidity across the working length
Reduced risk of unwanted tool deformation

The required load-bearing section can be customized according to machine structure, tool installation and working conditions.

128mm Wide Support Profile

The 128 mm overall width provides a broad structural profile for stable support and tool installation. The tapered upper shape positions the working area near the bending line while the lower stepped structure provides clearance for mounting and surrounding machine components.

The profile can be modified according to:

Machine installation dimensions
Bending-line position
Required working clearance
Blankholder geometry
Upper and lower blade trajectories
Customer workpiece requirements

Continuous 1000mm Length

The standard length of this counterblade is 1000 mm. Consistent straightness and working height across the full length are important for uniform contact with the sheet and accurate alignment with the upper blankholder.

Alternative options may include:

Customized continuous lengths
Multiple matched tool sections
Segmented counterblade construction
Special end sections
Custom mounting-hole arrangements
Replacement sections for existing tooling systems

42CrMo Material and Heat Treatment

The counterblade is manufactured from 42CrMo alloy steel, selected for its combination of strength, toughness and resistance to repeated mechanical loading.

The complete tool undergoes overall quenching and through-hardening to HRC46–52. Controlled heat treatment helps provide:

Consistent hardness across the tool body
Reliable structural strength
Resistance to deformation under clamping loads
Improved wear resistance
Dimensional stability during repeated operation
A suitable balance between hardness and toughness

Critical supporting and mounting surfaces are machined according to the confirmed dimensional requirements.

Typical Applications

This fixed lower counterblade can support the production of sheet metal components for:

Electrical cabinets
Control enclosures
Switchgear cabinets
Elevator 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
Box-shaped sheet metal parts
Multi-sided panels
Customized precision enclosures

Actual application capability depends on the panel bender model, complete tooling configuration, sheet material, material thickness and workpiece geometry.

Product Details and Manufacturing Quality

Each counterblade can be manufactured from an original technical drawing, machine-interface drawing or physical tooling sample.

The manufacturing and inspection process may include:

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

For a 1000 mm long counterblade, uniform working height and accurate alignment are essential for consistent contact with the blankholder.

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 mounting interface.

To confirm compatibility, customers should provide:

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

Machine compatibility should be determined from the actual mounting dimensions and profile rather than assumed from the equipment brand alone.

Standard and Custom Panel Bender Tooling

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

Blankholder tools
Counterblades
Upper bending blades
Lower bending blades
Fixed lower support tools
Blankholder segments
Special panel bender tools
Custom replacement tooling

Available counterblade customization options include:

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

Customers can provide original tooling drawings, physical samples or finished workpiece drawings. WYS offers free tooling evaluation and design support to help develop a suitable panel bender tooling solution.

Why Choose WYS Panel Bender Tooling

Panel bender tools manufactured from drawings or samples
High-strength 42CrMo alloy steel
Controlled overall quenching and through-hardening
Precision-machined supporting and mounting surfaces
Custom continuous and segmented lengths
Replacement counterblades for flexible panel benders
Custom mounting holes and working profiles
Complete blankholder, counterblade and bending blade solutions
Dimensional inspection before delivery
Customized packaging for long industrial tooling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a counterblade on a panel bender?

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

Is a counterblade the same as a lower bending blade?

No. The counterblade provides fixed lower support. The lower bending blade moves against the projecting flange to produce an upward bend.

Is a counterblade the same as a press brake lower die?

No. A press brake lower die normally has a V-opening. A panel bender counterblade supports the sheet while the upper and lower bending blades perform the forming movements.

What does the 40 mm load-bearing height mean?

It refers to the vertical structural section that receives and transfers supporting and clamping forces during the panel bending cycle.

What material and hardness are used?

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

Can the mounting-hole pattern be customized?

Yes. Hole quantity, hole position, overall length and installation profile can be manufactured according to original drawings or physical samples.

Can the counterblade be supplied in other lengths?

Yes. WYS can supply customized continuous lengths, matched sections or segmented counterblade configurations.

How is machine compatibility confirmed?

Compatibility is confirmed by checking the tool profile, mounting dimensions, hole pattern, working height and alignment requirements.

Counterblades

128mm Wide Panel Bender Counterblade with 40mm Load-Bearing Height