The Acroform™ die insert is made of a specially formulated urethane and is designed to fit standard female press brake dies. This composition does not compress, but flows to form the shape of the male punch, literally wrapping the material around the punch, providing a scratch-free, accurate bend.

acroform inserts

See our YouTube Demonstration. This will help explain a few common questions regarding Acroform™ and how is it properly used with various applications. Acroform™ can save both time and money when making different and complex bends.

Just simply slip “Acroform” into an existing female die (Fig. A). Acroform™ sizes correspond to the nominal steel die opening – 1″ Acroform™ fits 1″ wide standard die. Use approximately 2″ longer Acroform™ length than length of bend. If long bends are being made, simply butt Acroform™ ends together (Acroform™ is available in up to 4′ lengths) using two-faced tape in the female die to prevent Acroform from separating at the joints (Fig. B). Press or die misalignment is not a problem as it is with hard steel dies.

Remember no-marks on stainless, aluminum, vinyl coated stock and pre-painted stock. Cracking is reduced and in many cases eliminated when forming difficult materials.

The Fastest Way to Short Flange Bending

For Example try forming these flanges in steel dies:

  • 5/16″ Leg, 90° Flange, 16 ga. M.S. 1″ wide “V” die
  • 1/8″ Leg, 90° Flange, 24 ga. M.S. 1″ wide “V” die
  • 1/16″ Leg, 90° Flange, .001″ Brass, 1″ wide “V” die
  • 5/8″ Leg, 90° Flange, 10 ga. M.S. 1″ wide “V” die

For guidance of the tonnage required with 1″ Acroform™ and a 90° bend in M.S.:

  • 20 ga. – 4 tons/ft. approximate
  • 16 ga. – 6 tons/ft. approximate
  • 14 ga. – 9 tons/ft. approximate
  • 11 ga. – 20 tons/ft. approximate
acroform insert urethane

NOTE: Bends will generally have little or no springback and you may find that standard over-bend punches can be replaced with accurate male punches.

The maximum thickness capacity of your female die remains approximately the same when using Acroform™, except that you can now also form thinner materials without changing the female die to a smaller size.

NOTE: No female die change was necessary for any of the above forming examples. However, bends of this type may cut and otherwise reduce the life of the Acroform™ pad.

For maximum life of Acroform™, use the least penetration that will produce the desired bend and generally do not penetrate to a depth of more than 30% of the Acroform™ height. *Clean Acroform™ to avoid abrasion.

SPECIAL NOTE: 2″ Acroform™ forms all 90° and 30° bends normally requiring smaller die openings. For short flanges and smaller press brakes, particularly in gauge stock, 1″ is adequate. Because applications of Acroform™ vary, it is not possible for us to predict precise results covering all cases.

Acroform™ Advantages

  • ECONOMICAL
  • FITTED IN SECONDS
  • REMOVED IN SECONDS
  • FORMS MANY BENDS
  • NO MARKING
  • ACCURATE FORMING
  • SHARPER BENDS
  • REDUCED SPRINGBACK
  • USES EXISTING FEMALE DIES
  • NO MATTED DIES REQUIRED
  • ELIMINATES WEAR
  • WORN OUT DIES BECOME PRECISION DIES
urethane die insert

Acroform™ Inserts

For a quick and effective way to avoid die marks on stainless steel, prepainted material, etc. simply position these 1″ or 2″ inserts in corresponding 90°bottom dies! The K•Prene® insert will conform to a variety of punch tips. In addition to eliminating the secondary procedure expense of removing die marks, your die will now act like a universal bottom die. The forming of expanded metal or mesh is simplified, as cracking is reduced and often eliminated.

Acroform™ Inserts with a Hole

Indicated by * in the part numbers below: Our new design will help to reduce tonnage required for bending. This design is ideal for radius bends of up to 1/4″ radius.

This product is stocked in K•950A. It is available in softer grades.

Dimension Length Part No. & Pricing
 insert1 12″ KAF16100012
24 KAF16100024
36 KAF16100036
48 KAF16100048
 insert2 12 KAF16200012
24 KAF16200024
36 KAF16200036
48 KAF16200048
 insert2hole 12 *KAF16200012WCH
24 *KAF16200024WCH
36 *KAF16200036WCH
48 *KAF16200048WCH

Double-faced Clamping Tape

This double-faced tape securely holds Acroform™ and Acro-Hyde™ in place. It eliminates the need for fixtures, clamping devices, bolts, etc.

*Double-faced Clamping Tape 1″ x 36 yards KPT136 $19.02/roll
metalworking clamping tape
clamp tape roll
clamping tape urethane