This tool allows you to determine tonnage internal radius v die opening and minimum flange you just have to insert the characteristics of the sheet metal to be bent.
Minimum bend radius sheet metal steel.
Let s say i have a 2 mm thick sheet and i want to bend it.
The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by protocase.
Aluminum where necessary 5052 h32 may be bent to 1t and 6061 t6 to 1 1 2t.
3003 h14 is extremely ductile.
For example 6061 t6 aluminum is very difficult to bend.
These dimensions are all in relation to a 90 angle.
Since commercial sheet metal bending can be done with less concern for stresses caused during forming operation the radius can be near zero for thin sheet metal.
Bend radii minimum bend sizes.
It is most economical to use a single bend radius throughout the design but if necessary you can utilize multiple radii.
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It requires an inside bend radius of at least 6x the material thickness.
We go beyond the general rules of sheet metal bending as our customers want tight bend radii for sheet metal parts.
Thick grade 350 and 400 may have a minimum bend radius of 2 5 times the material thickness when transverse bending while longitudinal bending may require a minimum bend radius that s 3 75 times the material thickness see figure 1.
It is possible to choose other bends if you require but additional lead time and tooling charges may apply.
The problem with bending too tightly.
Each and every bend in a piece of sheet metal has a certain minimum internal radius that needs to be taken into account when planning the design of a sheet metal form.
Brittle metal such as aluminum generally requires a larger bend radius than ductile material like cold rolled steel.
Maximum sheet thickness for all other steel is 6 mm.
The tool can calculate the required bending force for bending aluminum stainless steel mild steel and weldox or strenx high strength steels.
5052 h32 aluminum bends in about the same way as mild steel.
If a piece of material is bent too tightly problems can occur.
The minimum bend radius data shown in these charts is measured to the inside of the bend.
I can now see that the minimum flange length is 8 5 mm for such a bend so i have to keep it in mind when designing.
Use this document to choose values that are both manufacturable and meet your needs.
Maximum sheet thickness for aluminum and stainless steel is 6 mm.
In steel between 0 5 and 0 8 in.
To keep it simple i also use a 2 mm inside radius.
Recommended minimum bend radii for steel and aluminum.
The bend radii listed are standard minimum if manufacturing for aircraft and aerospace applications.
Sheet metal bend radii if these guidelines are not followed more research and or some form of analysis may be requried.
Table 1 preferred recommended 90 degree bend radii for various sheet metals.
Maximum weight is 40 kg.