Bending machine and method for bending a sheet metal workpiece

Method of bending a sheet metal workpiece, the method comprising steps of:

• providing a bending machine having a first bending punch having a first working edge, a second bending punch having a second working edge, and a third bending punch having a third working edge, the first working edge, the second working edge, and the third working edge being aligned parallel with one another,
• placing a sheet metal workpiece in an initial plane, such that the first and second bending punch are positioned on one side and the third bending punch is positioned on the opposite side of the initial plane, and
• performing a bending operation comprising:
• moving the third working edge between the first and the second working edges in at least one rotary and one translatory direction in a reference plane oriented at a right angle to at least one of the first and second working edges,
• retaining the sheet metal workpiece between the first working edge and the third working edge essentially in the initial plane so that a first bend leg is formed, wherein the first bend leg remains horizontal, and
• directing the second working edge along a path about the third working edge so that a bend edge and a second bend leg adjoining the bend edge are formed at the third working edge, wherein the second bend leg is pushed upwards or downwards, wherein the bend edge divides the sheet metal workpiece within a bend section into the first bend leg and the second bend leg, wherein the first bend leg and the second bend leg are oriented at a bend angle to each other.