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CATEGORIESThank you for considering our custom sheet metal bending services. With over 15 years of experience in metal fabrication, we’d like to share some useful design tips to help you achieve better results and reduce production costs.
Each metal behaves differently when bent. Materials like stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316), aluminum (5052, 6061), and galvanized steel (SPCC, SECC) have different bending radii and strength levels. Please indicate the final use and surface finish when submitting drawings.
To avoid cracks or deformation, the inside bend radius should be at least equal to the sheet thickness (1T), especially for cold-rolled materials. Our engineers will provide suggestions if your drawing doesn’t meet optimal bending specs.
Please provide 2D/3D CAD files (preferably STEP, DXF, DWG). Our team supports both prototyping and full production runs, and we can review your drawings for manufacturability.
Our factory is equipped with CNC press brakes, laser cutting machines, and automated forming tools. Whether it’s large cabinets or small brackets, we provide tight tolerance and fast turnaround bending services.
For any project involving precision bending, bracket forming, or sheet metal part assembly, we are here to help. Let's turn your ideas into high-quality parts.
OEM/ODM Sheet Metal Bending
We also carry out post-processing upon your request. To get an instant quote, upload your models on our E-MAIL: info@hms1688.com (Click here, send the email to us!)
Bending is a form of deformation, one of three primary processes in sheet metal fabrication; the other two being cutting and joining. Bending is done by holding the workpiece in position using clamps or dies and strategically applying force on an area of a workpiece. The force applied must exceed the yield strength of the material to cause the plastic deformation of the part. This process results in a v-shape, u-shape, or channel shape over an axis, creating a new part geometry. Bending changes the shape but the volume of the workpiece remains the same.
Types of Sheet Metal Bending
Joggle bending: This is an offset bending. The two opposite bends are less than 90 degrees each. A neutral web separates the opposite bends.
Design Tips for Bending
To ensure a hitch-free bend and to avoid deformation, the following 10 tips are vital when designing.
1. Part thickness
Parts must have a uniform wall thickness throughout. Xometry Europe is capable of manufacturing bent sheet metal parts up to 6.35mm in thickness, but this tolerance mainly depends on the geometry
2. Hole and slot clearance
The distance of holes from the bend should be at least 2.5x the material thickness. Slots require more clearance. Slots should be placed at a distance of at least 4x the material thickness from the bend edges. This is because holes and slots are likely to deform when placed near a bend. Also, to avoid a bulging effect, place these features at a distance of at least 2x the material thickness from part edges.
3. Bend radius
The radius of bends must be a minimum of 1x the material thickness to prevent parts from fracturing or distorting. Also, the Bend radius should be kept consistent to minimize cost.
All bends in the same plane should be designed in one direction to prevent part reorientation. This saves both money and time.
Large, thick parts should not have small bends due to the high tendency to become inaccurate. As a rule of thumb, the inside bend radius should at least equal to the material thickness.
4. Curls
The outside radius of curls must be at least twice the material thickness.
In addition, the distance of holes from curls should be at least equal to the curl radius plus the material thickness. Other bends should be placed away from the curl at a distance of at least 6x the material thickness plus the curl radius.
5. Clearance for countersink
Countersinks on sheet metal parts are usually produced with hand tools. They must not be deeper than 0.6x the material thickness. This means that the maximum depth of a countersink in a 10 mm thick material should be 6 mm.
Furthermore, countersinks must have a minimum distance of 3x the material thickness from a bend, 4x from an edge, and 8x from each other.
6. Hems
Hems are folds created at the edge of parts to create a safe, rounded edge. There are three hem designs with different design rules.
For open hems, the minimum inside diameter should be at least equal to the material thickness, as larger diameters will cause loss of circularity. To ensure a perfect bend, the return length should be 4x the material thickness.
Teardrop hems should also have a minimum inside diameter that is equal to the material thickness. The opening should be a minimum of ¼x the material thickness, while the run length should be at least 4x the material thickness following the radius.
7. Chamfered sides
Chamfers on flanges must leave enough room for bends to avoid deformed parts.
8. Bends next to each other
Successive bends should be avoided except when absolutely necessary. A common problem for successive bends is the difficulty to fit the already bent parts on the die. However, when unavoidable, the intermediate part should be longer than the flanges.
9. Clearance for notches and tabs
The notch to bend distance should be at least 3x the material thickness plus the radius of the bend. Tabs, on the other hand, must be 1 mm or the material thickness away from each other, whichever value is greatest.
10. Relief cuts
Relief cuts are essential in avoiding bulging and tearing at bends. The width of the relief cuts should at least be equal to the material thickness, and the length should be longer than the radius of the bend.
Calculating Required Bending Force
Different factors are involved in creating the right bend in a workpiece. These include:
- Bending strength of the material
- Degree of bending
- Thickness of the workpiece
- Bend angle
- Internal radius
- Vee die opening
- Minimum internal edge
- S (mm) – Thickness of the workpiece
- V (mm) – Vee die opening
- B (mm) – Minimum internal edge
- Ri (mm) – Internal radius
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