Bending Aluminum Sheet Metal

Bending is one of the most common sheet metal fabrication operations.

Bending aluminum sheet metal.

Metal shops have brakes mounted at different angles with automated braking arms however it is possible to bend sheet metal at home without the use of a brake. How to bend sheet metal without a brake in 4 different methods with minimal or homemade tools. The bend radius you select may not be available if the geometry of the part will not allow us to bend with the specific tooling required to achieve that radius. A brake is a device that allows you to bend a piece of sheet metal at a particular angle.

If your bend radius needs to be adjusted a member of engineering design services team will contact you before your design is manufactured. To bend your sheet metal with a vise and hammer you will need. For most applications with stainless steel or aluminum you can get away with a zero radius bend on anything under 0 050 thick. How to bend sheet metal without a brake.

Step 1 determine the angle at which you want to brake the metal and mark it on the protractor. 2 wooden or metal form blocks block of hardwood and heavy duty hammer or mallet optional. Having the right tools on hand will help this process go smoothly and quickly. This is done through the application of force on a workpiece.

If you re bending 0 020 thick material use a 0 020 radius. Also known as press braking flanging die bending folding and edging this method is used to deform a material to an angular shape.