Bend Aluminum Sheet Smallest Radius

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.

Bend aluminum sheet smallest radius.

For example if the thickness of the sheet is 1 mm the minimum bend radius should be 1 mm. Sheet metal bend radii. Steel american iron and steel institute. Thus the smallest radius of any bend in a sheet should be at least equal to the thickness of the sheet.

If these guidelines are not followed more research and or some form of analysis may be requried. The minimum inside bend radius is even larger when bending with the grain. Insert your aluminum sheet into the brake beneath the removable clamp bar. We recommend printing it out to keep as a reference.

The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by protocase. When bending aluminum know that the smaller your inside bend radius the larger the chance that cracking will occur in the part. The bend radius you select may not be available if the geometry of the part will not allow us to bend with the specific tooling required to achieve that radius. The bend radii listed are standard minimum if manufacturing for aircraft and aerospace applications.

Aluminum minimum bend radii for 90 degree cold forming of sheet and plate. We recommend a minimum bend radius of 1t for all sheet metal parts. 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. Then place the clamp bar back down on top of the aluminum crosswise.

When working with aluminum over sheet metal several variables need to be considered. If your bend radius needs to be adjusted a member of engineering design services team will contact you before your design is manufactured. It is possible to choose other bends if you require but additional lead time and tooling charges may apply. Where necessary 5052 h32 may be bent to 1t and 6061 t6 to 1 1 2t.

Aluminum is typically thicker and stronger and requires more force to bend as well as consideration of edge conditions and punch nose radii. This free chart outlines what bend radii is required for the approximate thickness of aluminum. Preferred recommended 90 degree bend radii for various sheet metals. 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.

We go beyond the general rules of sheet metal bending as our customers want tight bend radii for sheet metal parts. It s true that the harder and thicker the plate is the greater the minimum bend radius. Per the aluminum association inc. Make sure the bar is seated firmly inside the frame.