LVD is one of Europe’s best-known press brake brands, and its machines use dedicated tooling configurations that require the correct mounting and working geometry. If you run an LVD press brake — or take on LVD-style work — you need dies that match that system exactly. This guide explains what LVD press brake tooling is, the sizes and specifications Sieor offers, and how to choose the right LVD-compatible dies for your machine.
What Is LVD Press Brake Tooling?
LVD press brake tooling is the set of punches and dies designed to work with LVD press brakes and their corresponding tool holders. In practice, the term most often refers to the bottom dies, or V dies, that sit in the machine’s tool holder. The required die angle, height, radius, and mounting geometry must all be compatible with the machine and bending application.
SIEOR manufactures LVD-compatible dies under the Sieor-LVD System, with product configurations designed around the corresponding LVD tooling geometry. SIEOR’s current LVD press brake tooling range includes 26° and 78° dies in different radius and height combinations, allowing buyers to select tooling according to their machine and bending requirements.
Why 26° and 78°? LVD’s Two-Angle System
SIEOR’s LVD press brake tooling range includes two main die angles: 26° and 78°. These two configurations serve different bending requirements rather than representing two angles that cover every possible LVD application.
The 78° die is commonly used for general bending applications, including 90° bends in air bending. The 26° acute die provides a sharper included angle and can be useful for applications involving acute bends or situations where additional over-bending is required to compensate for springback.
The appropriate LVD press brake tooling should still be selected according to the material, thickness, required bend angle, tooling geometry, and machine setup. The die angle alone does not determine the final bend angle or inside radius.
The 26° Acute Die: Springback and Acute Bends
The 26° die can be useful when working with materials that exhibit noticeable springback, such as certain stainless steels and high-strength materials. High-strength, springy alloys recover after the punch lifts, so a part bent to 90° in a standard setup may finish more open than the target angle. An acute-angle die can provide additional angular range for over-bending when the machine setup and material require it.
It is also suitable for applications requiring an acute bend angle. When a drawing calls for an acute bend, the 26° tooling configuration can provide the appropriate die geometry for that operation. However, the final bend angle and required bending force depend on more than the die angle. Material thickness, material strength, bend length, V-opening, punch geometry, and machine capacity must also be considered when selecting the tooling.
The 78° Die: A Common Choice for 90° Bending
The 78° die is a common configuration for standard press brake bending applications, including 90° air bending. Its included angle is below 90°, which provides the tooling geometry needed for the bending operation and allows the operator to adjust the ram depth to achieve the required angle.
In air bending, the sheet contacts the die shoulders and the punch tip, while the final bend angle is controlled primarily by punch penetration. Therefore, one 78° die can be used for different target angles within the limits of the tooling, machine, and material by changing the bending depth. The resulting inside bend radius should not be described as being fixed solely by the die’s groove-bottom radius. In air bending, the V-opening, material thickness, material properties, punch geometry, and bending depth all influence the final inside radius.
LVD Die Sizes and Specifications
SIEOR’s LVD press brake tooling range covers 26° and 78° configurations with different radius and height combinations:
| Angle | Radii available | Heights | Load rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° | R1.0, R2.0, R3.0 mm | 159–194 mm | 400–1200 kN/m |
| 78° | R1.0 mm | 180–194 mm | SIEOR product-specific rating |
The specifications above are based on the LVD products currently listed by SIEOR. The 26° range includes R1.0 mm, R2.0 mm, and R3.0 mm options, while the listed 78° products use R1.0 mm radii. Heights include 159 mm, 180 mm, and 194 mm depending on the product.
Every die is machined from 42CrMo4 alloy steel. SIEOR lists the 26° R1.0 mm × 159 mm LVD tooling at 400 kN/m, while the 26° R3.0 mm × 194 mm tooling is listed at 1200 kN/m. The load rating is product-specific and should be checked against the actual die specification rather than assumed from the angle or height alone.
Material and Precision
All of SIEOR’s LVD press brake tooling listed on the current product pages is made from 42CrMo4 alloy steel. The material is used for its combination of strength, toughness, and wear resistance, while SIEOR emphasizes precision grinding, heat-treatment technology, and dimensional control for press brake tooling.
That precision matters most on the 26° acute die, where a narrow opening concentrates force at the groove. A precisely ground, properly heat-treated acute die resists chipping and marking, and it holds its angle far longer than a soft or roughly finished die.
Precision is particularly important for replacement tooling because consistent tool geometry helps maintain stable bending results and reduces variation during production. SIEOR states that its press brake tooling is produced to micron-level standards for stability and performance.
LVD-Compatible Tooling vs. OEM Dies
One question every LVD owner faces is whether to buy OEM dies or compatible LVD press brake tooling. OEM tooling is made by or for the machine builder and is generally selected when the buyer wants original-brand tooling. Compatible tooling, like the SIEOR-LVD System, is manufactured for compatibility with the corresponding LVD tooling requirements and can provide an alternative sourcing option.
The key is matching the clamping and alignment geometry, not just the angle. A compatible die must match the machine’s holder, working height, angle, radius, and other relevant dimensions. SIEOR’s LVD press brake tooling range is specifically presented as Sieor-LVD System tooling, rather than simply generic V dies.
For fabrication shops replacing worn tooling or sourcing additional dies, compatible tooling can offer an alternative to OEM supply while maintaining the required tooling specifications. Buyers should confirm compatibility with their exact LVD machine and holder before ordering.
Maintaining and Replacing LVD Dies
Like any precision tool, dies wear over time. The first signs are usually visible wear or marking on the sheet, changes in bend consistency, or dimensional deviations in the finished part. Because these dies are made from 42CrMo4 alloy steel, they are designed for demanding press brake applications, but regular inspection is still important.
When a die does wear, replacement should be considered when the working geometry can no longer meet the required bending accuracy. Re-ground dies may change the original tool dimensions and should therefore be evaluated carefully before reuse.
For production shops that rely on repeatable LVD press brake tooling, keeping a suitable spare set of frequently used dies can reduce downtime when replacement is required.
How to Choose LVD Press Brake Tooling
- Match the angle to the job. Use the 78° die for common bending operations such as 90° air bending, while the 26° die can be selected for acute bends or applications where its geometry is suitable for over-bending.
- Match the radius to your drawing. Do not assume that the die’s nominal radius will directly equal the final inside radius in air bending. Consider the material thickness, V-opening, material properties, punch geometry, and required bend radius when selecting R1.0 mm, R2.0 mm, or R3.0 mm tooling.
- Match the height to your machine. SIEOR’s current LVD press brake tooling includes heights of 159 mm, 180 mm, and 194 mm, depending on the specific tooling configuration. Confirm the required height and holder dimensions before ordering.
- Check the load rating. Verify the die’s specified kN/m rating against the actual bending requirements and press brake capacity. For example, SIEOR lists 400 kN/m for its 26° R1.0 mm × 159 mm die and 1200 kN/m for its 26° R3.0 mm × 194 mm die.
- Confirm machine compatibility. Provide the press brake model, existing tooling dimensions, required angle, radius, and height when requesting a replacement or additional die. This helps ensure the tooling matches the machine holder and bending application.
- Buy from a precision manufacturer. SIEOR focuses on precision LVD press brake tooling, using alloy steel, heat treatment, precision grinding, and controlled machining processes for demanding sheet metal fabrication applications.
Applications
LVD press brake tooling is used wherever LVD press brakes are bending sheet metal: precision enclosures, machinery panels, brackets, and general fabrication. The 26° and 78° configurations in SIEOR’s current LVD press brake tooling range provide options for different bending requirements, from acute-angle operations to common 90° bending applications.
Typical applications include electrical cabinets, control panels, machinery components, stainless steel fabrication, and sheet metal guarding. The correct LVD press brake tooling configuration depends on the workpiece material, thickness, bend angle, radius, and machine setup.
FAQ
What angles does LVD press brake tooling use?
SIEOR’s current LVD press brake tooling range includes 26° acute dies and 78° dies. These configurations are designed for different bending requirements and should be selected according to the machine setup and application.
Is LVD-compatible tooling as accurate as OEM?
Compatibility and accuracy depend on manufacturing quality and how closely the tooling matches the required machine geometry and specifications. SIEOR’s LVD press brake tooling is manufactured under the Sieor-LVD System and is designed for LVD press brake applications. Buyers should confirm the required dimensions and compatibility with SIEOR before ordering.
What material is used for LVD dies?
SIEOR manufactures its listed LVD press brake tooling from 42CrMo4 alloy steel, with the products specifying this material directly.
Which die do I use for a 90° bend on an LVD machine?
The 78° die is a common choice for 90° air bending, but the final bend angle depends on the machine setup, material, punch geometry, die opening, and bending depth.
Do LVD dies fit other press brake brands?
Not necessarily. Press brake tooling compatibility depends on the machine’s holder, clamping system, tool dimensions, and working geometry. LVD press brake tooling should be used only when it matches the relevant machine and holder specifications.
What height LVD dies are available?
SIEOR’s current LVD press brake tooling range includes 159 mm, 180 mm, and 194 mm heights, depending on the angle and radius configuration.
How do I know whether I need the 26° or the 78° die?
Use the 78° configuration for common bending operations such as 90° air bending, while the 26° configuration is intended for applications requiring an acute-angle die geometry or additional over-bending capability. The final selection of LVD press brake tooling should also consider material, thickness, radius, bend angle, and machine capacity.
Conclusion
For shops running LVD machines, the right LVD press brake tooling is a combination of the correct tooling system, angle, radius, height, and machine compatibility. SIEOR’s current LVD range includes 26° and 78° dies with R1.0–R3.0 mm radius options and 159–194 mm height configurations, depending on the specific product.
By choosing 42CrMo4 LVD press brake tooling manufactured under the Sieor-LVD System, fabricators can source LVD-compatible dies for different bending requirements while maintaining the dimensional consistency needed for production. For exact compatibility, buyers should provide their LVD machine model and required tooling dimensions when requesting a quote.
Ready to equip your LVD press brake with precision tooling? Contact Sieor today for a fast quote, OEM pricing, and expert help matching the right 26° or 78° die to your machine.
