Sheet metal bending is a kind of metal processing technology, which is used to turn flat sheet metal parts into V-shape, U-shape or groove shape.
This is an important and convenient manufacturing process, because it is much cheaper to bend a flat metal plate into a new shape than to process V, u or channel shapes from a solid workpiece or cast in a foundry. In addition, the parts produced by bending are stronger than those welded into V shape by two flat metal sheets.
Many types of sheet metal bending involve the use of machines called brakes, sometimes called bending machines or sheet metal folding machines. The force can be applied manually or by using, for example, a hydraulic device.
Some sheet metal materials are more suitable for bending than others. In general, the best bending material is ductile rather than brittle.
Common materials for sheet metal bending include:
Mild steel: can bend at any temperature.
Spring steel: bendable after annealing.
Alloy steel 4140: bendable after annealing.
Aluminum 5052: compared with other aluminum alloys, it has high bendability.
Copper: highly flexible.
Materials that are more difficult (though not impossible) to bend include aluminum 6061, titanium, brass, and bronze.
