Quick Answer

A CNC crowning system works together with the press brake controller to compensate for machine deflection during bending.

Instead of asking the operator to manually adjust the crowning table for every job, the CNC system can use programmed bending parameters and machine configuration to command an appropriate compensation value.

The basic control chain is:

Bending Program → CNC Controller → Crowning Command → Drive/Valve System → Crowning Mechanism → Deflection Compensation

On a Delem DA-66T or compatible Cybelec-equipped press brake, crowning can therefore become part of the bending program rather than a separate manual adjustment.

The result is especially valuable for:

Long parts + High bending forces + Stainless steel + High-strength steel + Repeat production

Why Does the Press Brake Controller Need to Work with Crowning?

Consider a 4-meter workpiece.

Without sufficient compensation:

Left 90.1° → Center 91.6° → Right 90.0°

The operator can manually adjust the crowning table until the center reaches the target angle.

That works—but what happens when the next job changes from:

2 mm mild steel

to

6 mm stainless steel?

Or from a 1-meter bend to a 4-meter bend?

The required force and machine deflection change.

A CNC-integrated crowning system reduces the need to treat crowning as an isolated manual setting.

How CNC Crowning Integration Works

The easiest way to understand the system is to separate it into five layers.

1. Bending Program

The operator enters or selects information such as:

• Material

• Thickness

• Bend length

• Bend angle

• Tooling

• V-die opening

• Bend sequence

2. CNC Controller

The Delem or Cybelec controller manages the bending program and coordinates relevant machine functions.

Delem describes its architecture as combining low-level control of hydraulic/electrical systems with higher-level functions such as product programming, tooling setup and bend-sequence calculation.

3. Crowning Command

Based on the configured machine and bending program, the control system determines or applies the required crowning command.

4. Actuator

Depending on machine design, this command can ultimately operate a:

Servo motor / geared motor / hydraulic proportional system

5. Crowning Mechanism

The actuator changes the mechanical wedge position or hydraulic compensation level.

The complete relationship can be visualized as:

Material & Tooling Data
↓
Delem / Cybelec CNC
↓
Calculated / Programmed Crowning Value
↓
Machine Interface & Drive
↓
Mechanical Wedges / Hydraulic Compensation
↓
Counter-Deflection
↓
More Uniform Bend Angle

How Mechanical CNC Crowning Works

For a mechanical crowning table, multiple precision wedges are distributed along the bending length.

When the drive mechanism moves the wedge system horizontally, the geometry of the wedges generates a small controlled vertical displacement.

This produces a compensation curve.

Without crowning:

──────\________/──────

With suitable compensation:

──────/‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾\──────

The purpose is to counteract the elastic deformation produced by bending force.

The movement involved can be very small, which is why the mechanical accuracy, wedge geometry, drive resolution and machine calibration all matter.

Delem DA-66T + CNC Crowning

The DA-66T is particularly relevant for European-oriented press brakes.

Delem describes the DA-66T as a high-end 2D graphical press brake control with automatic bend-sequence calculation, collision detection and machine integration capabilities. Its published options specifically include “Advanced deflection systems — Frame deflection compensation.”

The DA-60 series is also based around Delem's modular Modusys architecture, allowing axes, I/O and additional machine functions to be integrated according to the press brake manufacturer's design.

Typical workflow

Step 1 — Program the workpiece

The operator defines the bend and tooling.

Step 2 — Prepare the bending parameters

The CNC uses its configured machine/tool/material data to prepare the bend.

Step 3 — Apply the crowning value

The appropriate deflection-compensation function is included in the bending setup.

Step 4 — Command the machine interface

The controller communicates with the configured machine hardware.

Step 5 — Crowning mechanism moves

For an electric mechanical system, the drive moves the wedge mechanism to establish the required compensation.

Step 6 — Perform the bend

The crowning table counteracts the expected machine deflection.

This means the operator does not necessarily need to leave the CNC screen, walk to the compensation table and manually turn a handwheel between different production jobs.

Delem DA-66T Integration Architecture

A useful diagram for this article would be:

DA-66T CNC

↓

Bending Program

↓

Deflection Compensation Command

↓

OEM Machine Interface

↓

Servo / Motor Drive

↓

Mechanical Crowning Wedges

↓

Table Compensation

↓

More Consistent Angle Across the Bend

This is a much safer technical description than saying:

“DA-66T directly controls the crowning motor.”

The actual electrical implementation depends on the press brake manufacturer.

How Cybelec Works with Crowning Systems

Cybelec follows the same overall concept: crowning becomes a coordinated machine function rather than a completely independent manual adjustment.

Cybelec has explicitly developed Dynamic Crowning Management for its control ecosystem. It announced this functionality for the VisiTouch Pac platform in 2023.

Its architecture can also support hydraulic crowning configurations. For example, Cybelec's CybVA 6 documentation describes channels for Y1/Y2, pressure and crowning proportional valves, with the CNC providing the relevant control references.

Therefore, depending on the press brake configuration, a Cybelec system may work with:

Mechanical CNC crowning

or

Hydraulic crowning

through the machine builder's configured control architecture.

Delem vs Cybelec: Does the Crowning Table Need to Be Different?

Not necessarily.

This is important for customers purchasing a replacement or retrofit crowning system.

The mechanical compensation table and the CNC controller are related—but they are not the same component.

A crowning retrofit should be evaluated across three layers:

So a customer should not simply order:

“One crowning table for DA-66T.”

Instead, the supplier should confirm the complete machine configuration.

Manual Crowning vs CNC Crowning

This difference is especially important for European workshops with frequent job changes.

Manual crowning is not inherently inaccurate.

For workshops producing a small range of repeat parts, it can still be practical.

The main advantage of CNC crowning is automation and repeatability, particularly when the workshop frequently changes material, thickness, tooling and bend length.

What Happens When the Material Changes?

This is where CNC integration becomes valuable.

Imagine three jobs:

These jobs do not produce the same bending force.

Therefore, they do not necessarily produce the same press brake deflection.

A fixed compensation value is unlikely to be optimal for every condition.

A CNC-integrated system allows crowning to become part of the machine setup for each bending program.

This is particularly useful for workshops processing:

Mild Steel → Stainless Steel → Aluminum → Strenx® / Hardox®

through the same press brake.

CNC Crowning Does Not Mean “Zero Calibration”

This is another important point.

Installing a CNC crowning system does not automatically guarantee:

90.000° from left to right on every workpiece.

The controller can only produce good compensation when the entire system is properly configured.

Accuracy still depends on:

• Machine geometry

• Wedge accuracy

• Tooling accuracy

• Tool alignment

• Material consistency

• Y1/Y2 repeatability

• Crowning calibration

• Correct machine parameters

After installation or retrofit, the crowning system should therefore be calibrated against the actual press brake.

How to Calibrate CNC Crowning

A practical calibration method is:

Step 1 — Install Precision Tooling

Use tooling with known geometry and consistent height.

Step 2 — Prepare a Long Test Workpiece

Use a material and thickness representative of normal production.

Step 3 — Perform the Test Bend

Record the programmed Y position and crowning value.

Step 4 — Measure Multiple Positions

Measure:

Left → 1/4 → Center → 3/4 → Right

Step 5 — Identify the Error Curve

If the center remains open, additional compensation may be required.

If the center is closed relative to the ends, compensation may be excessive.

Step 6 — Fine-Tune the Crowning Parameters

Adjust according to the machine manufacturer's calibration procedure.

Step 7 — Verify with Different Loads

A good calibration should not be validated using only one thin sheet.

When Is CNC Crowning Worth the Upgrade?

CNC crowning becomes especially attractive when your workshop has:

3–6 meter bending lengths

Frequent material changes

Stainless or high-strength steel

Small batch / high-mix production

Tight full-length angle tolerances

Frequent tooling changes

Delem or Cybelec high-end CNC controls

Experienced operators spending too much time on trial bends

The business benefit is not simply “higher accuracy.”

It is:

Less manual adjustment + Faster setup + Better repeatability + Fewer trial bends

Retrofitting CNC Crowning to an Existing Press Brake

Older press brakes can sometimes be upgraded from manual crowning—or no adjustable crowning—to CNC-controlled mechanical crowning.

But compatibility must be checked first.

Before ordering, provide:

1. Press brake brand and model
2. Machine tonnage
3. Bending length
4. Lower table dimensions
5. Existing crowning configuration
6. CNC model — e.g. DA-66T / DA-69T / Cybelec
7. Electrical cabinet information
8. Motor/drive configuration
9. Photos and drawings of the lower table

Do not select a crowning system based on the CNC brand alone.

FAQ

Can Delem DA-66T control a CNC crowning system?

The DA-66T supports machine integration and advanced frame-deflection compensation functions. The exact crowning implementation depends on how the press brake OEM configures the machine hardware, axes, I/O and control logic.

Does Delem automatically calculate the crowning value?

Delem supports deflection-compensation functionality within the press-brake control environment, but the actual calculation, configuration and actuation depend on the OEM machine implementation. Avoid assuming that every DA-66T-equipped machine has the same automatic crowning architecture.

Can Cybelec work with hydraulic crowning?

Yes, depending on the system configuration. Cybelec documentation includes control architecture for crowning proportional valves, and Cybelec has also developed dynamic crowning-management functionality.

Can I replace manual crowning with CNC crowning?

Potentially yes, but the mechanical table, drive system, electrical interface, CNC capabilities and available machine space must all be checked before retrofit.

Is CNC crowning more accurate than manual crowning?

Not automatically. Both can produce accurate compensation when properly designed and calibrated. CNC crowning mainly improves automation, repeatability and setup efficiency.

Can crowning correct left-to-right angle errors?

Not necessarily. If the left and right sides differ significantly, check Y1/Y2 synchronization, machine geometry and tooling alignment before using crowning to compensate.