Bend Aluminum Sheet Smallest Radius

Aluminum is typically thicker and stronger and requires more force to bend as well as consideration of edge conditions and punch nose radii.

Bend aluminum sheet smallest radius. The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by protocase. We recommend a minimum bend radius of 1t for all sheet metal parts. 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. When bending aluminum know that the smaller your inside bend radius the larger the chance that cracking will occur in the part.

The bend radii listed are standard minimum if manufacturing for aircraft and aerospace applications. When working with aluminum over sheet metal several variables need to be considered. Where necessary 5052 h32 may be bent to 1t and 6061 t6 to 1 1 2t. The minimum inside bend radius is even larger when bending with the grain.

It s true that the harder and thicker the plate is the greater the minimum bend radius. If your bend radius needs to be adjusted a member of engineering design services team will contact you before your design is manufactured. Radii for various thicknesses expressed in terms of thickness t. In steel between 0 5 and 0 8 in.

For example if the thickness of the sheet is 1 mm the minimum bend radius should be 1 mm. We recommend printing it out to keep as a reference. Sheet metal bend radii. If these guidelines are not followed more research and or some form of analysis may be requried.

Insert your aluminum sheet into the brake beneath the removable clamp bar. Preferred recommended 90 degree bend radii for various sheet metals. Thus the smallest radius of any bend in a sheet should be at least equal to the thickness of the sheet. It is possible to choose other bends if you require but additional lead time and tooling charges may apply.

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. Then place the clamp bar back down on top of the aluminum crosswise. Also know that for the best results and fewer cracks on the outside of the bend the bend line should go across or diagonal to the material grain when and where possible. Aluminum minimum bend radii for 90 degree cold forming of sheet and plate.

Make sure the bar is seated firmly inside the frame. This free chart outlines what bend radii is required for the approximate thickness of aluminum. Lift the clamp bar away from the rear of the brake frame and slide the sheet in perpendicularly to the direction you want to bend it. Steel american iron and steel institute.