Steel Sheet Metal Minimum Bend Radius

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.

Steel sheet metal minimum bend radius.

Grain direction is formed in metal in the direction in which the sheet was rolled at the steel mill. In general mild steel and type 304 stainless sheet can be formed with sharp bends 1t without concern up to 1 8 thick. Minimum bend includes minimum closeness of cutout to bend radius cold rolled steel 14 gauge 0 075 1 91mm. Bend radii minimum bend sizes.

In general parts should be designed with a minimum 1t bend radius radius matching the sheet thickness for the simplest setup and to ensure we can form the intended geometry. It s true that the harder and thicker the plate is the greater the minimum bend radius. The calculator is telling you the approximant minimum inside bend radius in the brittle material to avoid cracking that of 170 inches. In steel between 0 5 and 0 8 in.

The die opening that the calculator recommends will achieve that. The minimum inside bend radius is even larger when bending with the grain. 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 require a minimum bend radius that s 3 75 times the material thickness see figure 1. It is most economical to use a single bend radius throughout the design but if necessary you can utilize multiple radii.

Use this document to choose values that are both manufacturable and meet your needs.