Tools, Tech, Transformation – a National Industries Info Series
When it comes to the latest tech and developments in metal fab – and all things related – there’s no denying our team is just a little bit obsessed. If there’s new equipment hitting the market, ground breaking techniques being showcased or an AI integration being tested, you better believe it has our attention.
Lucky for us, a lot of the clients we work with – from engineers to technicians, industrial procurement to QAs – share our interest in these areas. With that shared passion in mind, we thought… Why not explore the ways equipment just like ours is being used throughout the world (and beyond), in mind-blowing ways?
So, here's the next in our Triple T series!
'Braking' in to bigger things
If, like us, you’ve been in metal fab long enough, you’ll know press brakes are the workhorses of the shop floor.
Day in and day out, they’re used to bend, fold, and shape metal sheets into precise components. As the people standing over them to make sure everything is done to order, and with absolute precision, it can be easy to take for granted both the power and simplicity of equipment like this.
It can also be easy to forget the critical role they play in shaping the future for everyone one of us.
For instance, did you know these trusty machines, the ones we use every day, are behind some of the most cutting-edge and classified military tech in the world?
From stealth fighters to next-gen warships, press brakes are helping engineers push the limits of what’s possible in defence technology. We’re not talking about simple parts here—we’re talking about shaping and bending metal for some of the most advanced machines on the planet.
Tech taking flight
Let’s start with one of the coolest applications (depending on where you stand when it comes to modern warcraft): stealth fighters.
These planes are designed to be invisible to radar and, with that in mind, you can imagine, every single detail has to be spot-on.
The angular shapes of planes like the F-35 Lightning II or the F-22 Raptor aren’t just for aesthetics — they’re built that way to deflect radar signals. And press brakes? You guessed it, they’re essential in crafting those tight, angular lines.
The metal used for these jets is often an advanced composite, such as titanium or high-strength aluminium alloys.
Speaking from our own experience, titanium, in particular, is tricky to work with — but it’s tough, lightweight, and incredibly heat resistant, so, it's perfect for high-speed aircraft.
Bending titanium requires immense force and precision, and that’s where press brakes come into play. We’re talking about machines that can apply over 200 tonnes of force to bend a 3mm titanium sheet to the perfect angle.
A single stealth fighter requires thousands of individual parts to be pressed, folded, and shaped. Even the slightest miscalculation could mean a part doesn’t fit, or worse, could compromise the jet’s radar-deflection capabilities or aerodynamics. Press brakes allow for the kind of precision bending that keeps these planes flying under the radar — literally.
From sea to sky
The military applications don’t stop in the sky.
Press brakes are equally important on the high seas, shaping the hulls and superstructures of next-generation warships like the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-Class Destroyers. These ships are designed to be fast, durable, and stealthy — yes, even ships have stealth tech these days!
Though not the same as aircraft which can literally fly under the radar, stealth in this situation implies the ship's ability to reduce their radar cross-section (RCS), making them more difficult to identify on enemy radar systems, without being completely invisible.
For ships, the press brakes used are even larger, often handling steel sheets that are 20mm thick and require precision bending to match the complex curvature of the hull.
The curvature isn’t just for hydrodynamics (though that’s crucial too) — it’s about deflecting radar from enemy vessels. Much like stealth aircraft, stealth ships rely on flat, angular surfaces and precise curves to avoid detection.
In warship construction, accuracy is key. A large ship might have over 20,000 or more individual metal parts that need to be shaped and fitted, and many of those go through a press brake.
Shipbuilders use computer-controlled press brakes to get perfect bends, every time. You’re looking at machines with the capability to handle 600-tonne press forces, ensuring thick steel plates get the proper curve and fit like puzzle pieces in the ship’s frame.
While we do some heavy-duty work in our workshop, those kinds of loads and requirements are a rarity.
Engineering: pressed to find better
These machines are no ordinary tools — they are feats of engineering themselves.
A modern CNC-controlled press brake can handle metal with a margin of error as small as 0.01mm. In military manufacturing, this kind of precision is non-negotiable.
Every part needs to fit exactly, especially when the integrity of an entire vessel or aircraft is on the line. Miss the angle by a fraction of a degree? That could mean a compromised structure or a faulty joint, which is unacceptable in the military and potentially life-threatening.
In fact, in recent years, Australia has significantly ramped up its defence investment, with the government committing to a Defence Budget of $42.2 billion in 2020-21, growing to $73.7 billion by 2029-30. Over the next decade, this will total approximately $270 billion for new Defence capability investments, a substantial increase compared to previous years.
A notable portion of this funding will go toward advanced shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing, which rely heavily on precision metal fabrication to meet the rigorous demands of modern defence projects.
The future of press brakes in defence
As we look to the future, the role of press brakes in defence manufacturing will only grow.
New technologies like additive manufacturing are making waves, but traditional metal bending is still a cornerstone of high-tech military production.
As materials evolve, so too do the machines. Hybrid press brakes, capable of handling both traditional and composite materials, are already being developed for next-gen military tech.
Even in space exploration, press brakes play a critical role. The structural components of spacecraft, designed to survive the harsh conditions of outer space, are often shaped and bent using these machines. With press brakes capable of handling new alloys and materials, the possibilities are limitless.
So, next time you’re watching footage of an F-35 screaming through the sky or a warship gliding through the water, remember: a press brake was likely involved in bringing that cutting-edge machine to life, you can bet as we stand over ours on the shop floor, we'll remember it!
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Whether you’re bending for commercial or military use, the humble press brake is much more than just a shop tool — it’s a gateway to the future of engineering. Stay tuned for more in our series as we uncover how the tools we use every day are making a big impact around the world and beyond.
Want to talk about your next metal fabrication with an expert team who brings more than 60 years' in the business to the table? Get in touch.