What is sheet metal bending?
Sheet metal bending and metal forming is performed with the
use of a metal bending machine called a press brake. The work
piece to be metal formed is placed in the machine and the shoes
are raised with elevation levers. The work is then slid into
place, and the shoes lowered back down onto the piece to be
formed. Metal bending occurs by applying force to the bending
lever on the bending brake. Adjustment bolts determine the radius
of the metal bend. Minimum bend radius is a function of the
ductility and thickness of the material being worked. For aluminum
sheet, the metal bend radius should be greater than the sheet
thickness. It is necessary to bend the work slightly beyond
the desired angle because the sheet metal will spring-back.
Sheet metal bending is done in metal fabrication shops.
