Bending Factor In Sheet Metal

K and y factors make metal bending more precise without damaging the material.

Bending factor in sheet metal.

The part of the material that bends without being compressed nor elongated. I had a question on k factors for our 3 d modeling software. It s the base value needed to calculate bend allowances and ultimately the bend deduction. The following table is a rule of thumb.

Figure 2 illustrates the sheet that is bent with the bend angle of 90 degrees. For example if the value of k factor for given material thickness and bending machines is known. Calculate k factor bend allowance and y factor for sheet metal bending. The k factor is the ratio of the neutral axis location t to the material thickness mt.

Finding y factor for sheet metal bending. There s quite a few different bending methods available. Sheet metal bending methods design tips k factor bending methods. The following equation relates the k factor to the bend allowance.

Therefore using k factor there is no need to calculate sheet metal flat length manually. The arc length of the neutral line is the length of the sheet metal you have to leave for the bend. The k factor is defined as the ratio between the material thickness t and the neutral fibre axis t i e. Use the known k factor and the known inner bending radius to calculate the bending radius of the neutral line.

The k factor is the most important and elusive variable of bending because it varies both as a function of the material and according to parameters such as angle and tooling. You ll need the k factor to find the y factor. After bending the sheet we need to do some measurements as shown in figure 2. Of all the mathematical constants used in precision sheet metal fabrication the k factor stands out as one of the most important.

How k and y factors affect metal bending. 90 degrees bend angle. Each has their own advantages. Our design engineers typically use a factor of 0 4 for our air formed press brake parts.

Y factor k factor x π 2. . It s a mathematical multiplier that allows you to locate the repositioned neutral axis of the bend after forming. Then use the neutral bending radius to calculate the arc length of the neutral line circumference of circle multiplied by the bend angle as fraction of 360deg.

We will start by calculating the bend allowance. When you bend sheet metal the neutral axis shifts toward the inside surface of the bend. When bending a workpiece it will naturally spring back a little after the load is lifted. To calculate y factor you should multiply k factor by pi and divide the result by two.