Mark-Free Thin Sheet Bending with 30° V18 Nylon Die
October 12, 2025
Mark-Free Thin Sheet Bending with a 30° V18 Nylon Die
Surface scratches can be unacceptable when bending stainless steel, aluminum and other appearance-sensitive sheet metal. For applications where the workpiece surface must remain protected, a conventional steel V-die may not provide the required finish.
For this application, WYS Machinery manufactured a 30° V18 single-V press brake die with a replaceable nylon insert. The nylon working surface prevents direct metal-to-metal contact between the sheet and lower die, helping achieve mark-free bending for thin sheet metal.
How Does a Nylon Die Prevent Surface Scratches?
During conventional V-die bending, the sheet contacts and moves across the steel die shoulders. This contact can create scratches or visible bending marks.
In this tooling, the sheet contacts the nylon insert instead of the steel die surface. The softer non-metallic contact surface protects the workpiece during forming and prevents scratching, making it particularly useful for parts with high surface-finish requirements.
A Cost-Effective Alternative for Mark-Free Bending
For suitable thin-sheet applications, a nylon insert die provides a more economical mark-free bending solution than Rolla-V tooling while achieving the required surface protection.
Another advantage is its replaceable insert design. When the nylon working surface becomes worn, the insert can be replaced while the steel die body continues to be used, reducing long-term tooling cost.
Best Suited for Thin Sheet Metal
The main limitation of this design is the load capacity and wear resistance of the nylon insert.
It is primarily recommended for thin sheet bending. When thicker plate or higher forming loads are involved, nylon wear can increase significantly and another tooling solution may provide better durability.
The appropriate tooling should therefore be selected according to sheet thickness, material, bending load and required surface quality.
Custom Mounting Structures
The tooling shown in this application uses a Single-V mounting structure, but WYS Machinery can modify the die according to different press brake and clamping requirements.
Available configurations can include Double-V, Multi-V and 60 mm wide base structures, as well as TRUMPF Type, WILA Type, BYSTRONIC Type and LVD Type interfaces.
The V-opening, angle, tooling dimensions, nylon insert and mounting structure can also be customized according to the customer's workpiece drawings and bending requirements.
