The horizontal ram of these press brakes drives a punch into a die to bend sheet metal. They shape narrower sheets than vertical press brakes and they provide more control of bend profiles than straight or box-and-pan brakes. The sheet metal workpiece sits on front of the die along the selected fold and the brake slides the punch into the sheet, forcing it into the die to make the fold. Press brakes are commonly used to bend automotive panels, create metal containers, and form framing components.