Rules for Sheet Metal Bending

• Sheet metal bending is not a task that anyone can do. As the Efunda website suggests, using a press brake requires skill. According to the website, the process involves plastically deforming metal to change its shape. Specific rules exist to ensure that you perform this process efficiently.
  
  

Efficiency and Leadership

• As a press brake operator, you must be efficient as well as skilled. According to the Mform.com website, you must be able to perform complex operations with minimal supervision. As the website points out, you must understand concepts such as bending at angles, step bends, and proper back gauge transfer between steps. You must know your craft so well that you are able to train others in the art of bending. You need to be able to perform your duties in such a way that your employer is able to adhere to production deadlines. You should also understand the safety rules of proper setup.
  
  

Understanding Geometric Concepts

• As a sheet metal bender, you must know your geometry. According to the Mform website, you must possess an understanding of "geometric tolerances" and how they relate to the product as a whole, once it's finished. You must be able to know what coordinates to enter into a computer to achieve a certain bend. As the Ciri.org website suggests, knowledge of terms such as bend allowance, inside bend radius, and K-factor are a necessity.
  
  

Keeping Radii Equal

• According to Ciri.org, it's best to keep all radii on the part equal. This helps prevent major setup change requirements. The website states that the ideal radius is at least one material thickness.
  
  

Parallel or Perpendicular?

• As the Ciri.org website points out, it's best to bend at a 90-degree angle from the rolling direction rather than parallel for cold-rolled materials with a bending radius of more than 70. If your material happens to be cold-rolled steel with a bending radius of 85 or greater, the website cautions against bending at all. However, for hot-rolled steel, you can make parallel bends.
  
  

Proper Flange Width

• Flange width is also important in that violating this concept could lead to damages to the part on which you're working, the tooling, or even to the operator. According to the Ciri.com website, make sure that the maximum width of your flange is four times the stock thickness and bending radius.
  
  

Proximity Precautions

• The Ciri.com website warns that if you place your slots or holes too close to the area of your bend, you could distort the holes. Closer holes are permissible. However, according to the website, if this becomes necessary, then you should extend your slot or hole beyond your bend line.