Behind the Scenes: The Making of Our Largest Press Brake

As you may have heard, we are currently amid our largest project yet – building a custom press brake with a bending length of 22.2 meters (73 feet) and press force of 5000 tons (or 5,500 US tons). Once completed, it will be the largest press brake ever built in the industry, breaking our own record from 2021, when we built a press brake with a bending length 20.8 (68 feet).  

The project holds significance for the whole metal fabrication industry, as it introduces a new standard of what is possible. This machine not only represents a leap in size and capacity but also underscores Ursviken’s expertise in pushing the boundaries of innovation in custom machinery. Ursviken is uniquely positioned to tackle projects that few press brake manufacturers are willing to take on, due to our track record of building large-scale custom machinery, highly developed manufacturing methods and the right equipment to handle heavy materials. 

As of now, the manufacturing process is underway, with some machine frames already completed. The delivery is estimated for the fall of 2024, reflecting the meticulous planning and execution involved in crafting a machine of this scale.  

“The first challenge our engineers had to take on was creating a design capable of withstanding the press beam weight of nearly 400 tons (440 US tons)” – Martin Edeljung, Production Manager at Ursviken Technology

The main challenges thus far have been directly related to the size of the machine. “The first challenge our engineers had to take on was creating a design capable of withstanding the press beam weight of nearly 400 tons (440 US tons),” says Martin Edeljung, Production Manager at Ursviken Technology. On the manufacturing front, logistics handling of heavy components, including raw material that is up to 320 mm (12.6”) thick and weighing over 1000 tons (1,100 US tons)in total, presented its own set of challenges. The transportation of these pieces to and within the factory during various production phases, from cutting to welding and milling, requires careful maneuvering due to their size and weight.  

Looking ahead, we can still expect to face challenges in the planning and final assembly stages. “Given the unique nature of this machine, everything must be tailor-made, adding complexity to the assembly process. The disassembly, transportation of the finished machine in parts, and on-site assembly, will require meticulous planning and coordination,” says Mr. Edeljung.