Air Bending Sheet Metal

Geometry of tooling imposes a minimum bend dimension.

Air bending sheet metal.

The formed bend radius is dependent upon the dies used the material properties and the material thickness. Bending is one of the most common sheet metal fabrication operations. Being able to read a bend force chart is crucial for any brake press operator and sheet metal engineer. Air bending and bottom bending are two of the most common ways to create a bend during sheet metal fabrication.

Air bending uses a punch tool and an often v shaped bottom die. Since the stroke depth is adjustable. An air bend force chart or force chart breaks down a number of key components of sheet metal bending in an easy to reference format. This is done through the application of force on a workpiece.

When sheet metal is bent it stretches in length. Even on malleable materials you can end up cracking the metal at the bend or weakening it to the point where it ll break with minimal force. The metal forms to a natural radius based on the size of the die v opening. Air bending is the most common type of 3 types of bending used in sheet metal shops today.

The punch tip radius usually has little influence. The bend radius refers to the inside radius. The bend deduction is the amount the sheet metal will stretch when bent as measured from the outside edges of the bend. The punch is then forced past the top of the die into the v opening without coming into contact with the bottom of the v.

Refer to the chart for values for folder as well as various press brake tooling combinations. Also known as press braking flanging die bending folding and edging this method is used to deform a material to an angular shape. If you bend to a sharp inside corner with sheet metal you ll be adding a ton of internal stresses. The profile of the punch defines the bend radius while the stroke depth defines the bend angle.

Use the minimum bend dimension values in the charts below for your minimum closeness of cutout to a bend. The solution is to have a radius on the tool that you ll be using to bend the metal. What is air bending with air bending a press brake is equipped with a punching tool and commonly a v opening bottom die. Both can be achieved using a manual or cnc controlled press brake.