Curved Sheet Metal Fabrication and CNC Bending Parts

The development of bent sheet metal processing has reached new levels of sophistication with advanced bent sheet metal bending techniques and precision manufacturing of bent CNC parts. These interrelated processes represent the forefront of metal forming technology, enabling manufacturers to create complex geometries with unprecedented accuracy.

Sheet metal bending is a deformation process that uses a machine called a press to bend the metal. Metal can be bent into U-, V-, or channel shapes at angles up to 120 degrees. This deformation method is very efficient and can be used to create new parts.

Compared to laser cutting, sheet metal bending is the simplest form of sheet metal. Press presses bend metal using dies and punches. The metal is placed on the die, and a punch is applied to bend it into the new shape, creating a new part. Each part takes only seconds to process, making it very efficient. Unlike laser cutting machines, sheet metal bending does not require complex coding.

Although the sheet metal bending process is relatively simple, there are some considerations to keep in mind. In fact, for certain jobs, using multiple press presses and presses may be more beneficial. Understanding these details will help optimize production efficiency and product quality.

It's important to understand the definition of deformation. According to the Corrosion Encyclopedia, deformation is the change in shape or size of a metal object due to applied force or temperature changes. Deformation is primarily caused by forces such as stretching, twisting, compression, shearing, and bending.

Deformation techniques range from laser cutting to sheet metal bending. It is a general term for all changes to metal objects, including bending. Through different deformation techniques, a variety of complex designs and functions can be achieved, allowing metal materials to meet specific application requirements.

Bottoming is a variation of V-bending in which the focus of the bent metal extends all the way to the bottom of the V-shaped die. The shape of the V-shaped part is determined by the preset dimensions of the V-shaped die. This process provides greater accuracy and a more durable bend.

In the bottoming process, since the metal part directly contacts the die bottom, springback is eliminated. Springback is the tendency of metal to return to its original shape after bending. The bottoming design effectively eliminates this problem, resulting in a more stable and reliable finished product. This ensures the accuracy and consistency of V-bend parts, meeting even more stringent design requirements.

Coining is a variation of V-bending and is similar to the bottoming process. In this process, a V-shaped punch presses the metal into the bottom of a V-shaped die. The only difference is that the punch is smaller and more easily recognizable. The punch actuator must apply sufficient tonnage to ensure that the metal sheet conforms to the exact angle of the punch and die, resulting in a high-quality form.

Unlike the previous two V-bending methods, air bending offers lower precision. This method involves locally bending a metal part, is relatively simple, and requires no special tooling. In air bending, the punch is driven into the metal sheet until it meets the die opening at a specific point, creating the desired bend angle.

However, air bending carries the risk of springback, meaning the metal may attempt to return to its original shape after being bent. This springback can cause the part's shape and dimensions to no longer fit the work surface, affecting the product's assembly accuracy. Therefore, when choosing a bending method, consider the required precision and application requirements.