While it is fifteen years since I was involved with Power Presses and Press Brakes, I believe my comments will still apply. You are quire right that a Press Brake wont have clutch or flywheel, therefore in theory, a "Thorough Inspection" as required for a Power Press is not required. However, the main thing to remember is that a Press Brake will amputate fingers in the same way and just as easily as a Power press will. You don't need a clutch and flywheel! Regardless of the regulations I would recommend that you treat the Press Brake to the same examination as a Power Press. The cost of this will be a lot less than the cost of an amputation. In my day, our insurance company engineer carried out "Thorough Examinations" of both Press Brakes and Power Presses during his visits. Regards Rodger Ker

Totally agree with what Rodger Ker had to say. Dragging up memories from the past the one of the reasons for the original Power Press Regs and the specific mention of clutch and flywheel were due the stored kinetic energy in the flywheel as it was constantly rotating and the forces imposed on the clutch mechanism. There had been instances of the clutch failing and allowing a stoke to take place without the intervention of the operator. There had also been rare instances of the flywheel coming detached. John