Sheet Metal Talk - bending aluminum sheetmetal 180 degrees bcmachine - Apr 06, 2008 - 02:03 AM Post subject: bending aluminum sheetmetal 180 degrees
im trying to make a die to bend a 6 inch square .08 thick aluminum 180degrees and the piece will have a 1.5inch radius, i need to make a few thousand of these parts that is why im building a die, im a machinist but have no die experience, anyone have experience doing something like this? any links? im not sure what radius i need to make the die, thanks for any help.bcmachine - Apr 07, 2008 - 07:14 PM Post subject:
wow lots of views, no ideas?MattM - Apr 08, 2008 - 01:33 AM Post subject:
I don't understand the question. Perhaps with a picture?puchrider - Apr 08, 2008 - 02:18 PM Post subject:
I used to do stuff like this, although kind of crudely, and with lots of experimentation. The radius will be determined by the radius of the
punch (top die) if you are air bending...my preference over compression bending. You must allow for springback, which is affected by both alloy
and grain direction. The punch should be thermometer shaped to allow
bending past 180 degrees to compensate for springback.
The bottom die will have two hinged sections, that narrow the top opening
when the thermometer part reaches the bottom extent of its travel. This
narrowing gives you the over 180 degrees that you need to compensate
for springback. The aluminum may not follow the radius of the punch,
especially if you're bending across the grain, so try to keep the stroke short, otherwise, you'll end up with something that looks like you bent it over your knee.
A guide is also necessary to make sure to bend in the center. Any error is doubled.
I just had a flash....talk to someone who makes urethane bottom dies and holders. They might come up with something a lot simpler than a hinged
bottom die.tintailoruk - May 20, 2008 - 09:09 PM Post subject:
inside radius or outside radius ?? what tolerance ?? say inside radius of 1.5" + or - .016" punch to be 1.469 radius and the bolster to be 1.549, footnote I am using English inches I hope your inches are similar