M. Tech. Industrial Engineering. / Discusses the main objectives of this research are to; analyse the current state of press brakes technology ; develop a press brake concept using the Screw Jack System applying DFM (designing for manufacturability) principles and to fabricate a mini prototype Screw Jack Press Brake.

D. Tech. Industrial Engineering. / Aims to develop new optimized press brake concepts using Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) principles. The objectives of the research are articulated as follows: Research and identify part/ product families currently being manufactured on existing bending press tools and the respective technologies used. Design new press brake concepts and possible reconfigurations to be incorporated in future bending press tools based on part/ product families. To design the library of modules for the bending press tools based on new concepts and reconfiguration mechanisms formulated. To manufacture prototype(s) based on new concepts and perform experimental tests to evaluate performance of the designs.