Sheet metal follower for a bending press

A sheet metal follower for a bending press presenting a fixed bottom table carrying a bending matrix on its top face and having a vertical front wall, said follower comprising:

• a horizontal pivot shaft;
• a follower table configured for pivoting at its front end about said horizontal pivot shaft and having a front end;
• lateral transfer means mounted on said vertical front wall of the bottom table so as to be moved horizontally along said front wall;
• vertical displacement means carried by said lateral transfer means, and vertically movable relative to said lateral transfer means;
• a support structure for said follower table, said vertical displacement means being secured to said support structure;
• pivot means for pivoting said follower table about said pivot shaft, said pivot means having a fixed hinge on said support structure, a moving hinge on said follower table, and an active length;
• horizontal displacement means for moving said follower table horizontally relative to said support structure and perpendicularly to said pivot shaft;
• wherein the active length of said pivot means between said fixed hinge on the support structure and said moving hinge on the follower table is variable;
• and
• wherein said moving hinge is configured for sliding along said table in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft of said table.