Frequently Asked Questions about Press Brakes

Frequently asked questions about press brakes

Do you have any questions about press brakes or how to fabricate your metals properly? As specialists in the field there are certain questions that we have come across quite often.?

So we, The Accurpress India team, have decided to start a series of frequently asked press brake questions and their solutions to tackle all your press brake problems.

Read on to find the solutions to your fabrication issues!

Q. Why should the inside bend radius be deemed equivalent or bigger than the outside bend radius, and what role does the K-factor and the neutral axis play in all of this?

The material's manufacturer assigns minimum bend radii to several types of sheet metal.On the outside of the bend, the material expands, while on the inside, it contracts. The neutral axis of the bend is the area that does not expand or contract. Its length does not change, but its position does; it travels toward the bend's inside surface.

The amount it shifts is determined by the material and the forming method: air forming, bottom bending, or coining.

The K-factor has an average and widely used value of 0.446. The distance the neutral axis shifted toward the interior radius during bending is calculated by multiplying this value by the material thickness.

The greater the tension on the material on the outside of the bend, the sharper (smaller) the inside bend radius. In the field, this raises the chances of cracking and part failure. The less stress you place on the exterior of the curve with bend radii equal to or higher than the material thickness, the better.

The punch nose radius will also crease the centre of the bend if the bend radius is too small and too sharp, and the tonnage to form is too high. This accentuates angular variations caused by material qualities such as thickness, grain orientation, and hardness changes.

The most stable forming results, including consistent bend angles and final dimensions, come from a bend radius that is close to the material thickness. That is why it is referred to as a perfect bend.

There are good reasons to keep the inside bend radius larger than a sharp bend and to choose a K-factor value that is consistent with industry standards and applications.

Keep an eye out for more answers in our upcoming question series, or call us at +91 70693 00958.You can even come and chat with us at Imtex 2022 where we’ll be more than happy to answer all your queries and even give you a demo of how the press works.