An apparatus and a method for bending a workpiece to a predetermined angle in a brake press and automatically compensating for springback of the workpiece which has a sensing device, biased relative the workpiece, for detecting a neutral position of the workpiece corresponding to the cessation of springback motion and generating a signal in response thereto, and a device, responsive to the signal, for measuring the linear distance of springback, and for calculating an amount of overbend required to compensate for springback based on said measured linear distance of springback and the physical geometry of the workpiece. Preferably, the sensing devcie having a linear variable differential transformer having a core rod biased toward the workpiece and in opposition to the punch member of the brakepress.