Bending Curves Sheet Metal

Bending is one of the most common sheet metal fabrication operations.

Bending curves sheet metal.

Geometry of tooling imposes a minimum bend dimension. The force must exceed the material s yield strength to achieve a plastic deformation. In other words if you re bending 1 8 sheet use a tool with a 1 8 radius to form the inside of the bend. The inside bend radius should be equal to the thickness of the material that you re forming.

Next place the wood parallel and slightly behind the bending line. Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle. If you re bending 0 020 thick material use a 0 020 radius. Using protective gloves hold the free end of the metal sheet with one hand and with the other hand use a mallet or hammer to begin bending the sheet down and around the curved radius of the wood form.

Refer to the chart for values for folder as well as various press brake tooling combinations. Make sure the first bend mark lines up exactly with the curve in the form so that the bending will begin in the right spot. Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one. The diagram shows one such mechanism.

Clamp the wood on top of the metal to the workbench. Also known as press braking flanging die bending folding and edging this method is used to deform a material to an angular shape. Finally bend the sheet up by hand to the angle desired. If you want a sharp 90 bend tap along the crease with a mallet.

Learn how to bend sheet metal so you. Mark a bend line and place the sheet metal on the edge of your bench.