Galvanized steel bending is one of the most demanding yet essential processes in modern metal fabrication. When combined with the challenges of large sheet metal bending and the exacting standards of precision sheet metal bending, manufacturers face a unique set of technical considerations.
Material | steel, stainless steel, aluminum,iron, carbon steel,copper, brass, alloy, etc. |
Thickness | 0.1mm to 12mm, as your request |
Sizes | 1) According to customers' drawings 2) According to customers' samples |
Surface treatment | Anodizing, galvanized, zinc, nickle, chrome plating, powder coating, painting, etc. |
Drawing format | DWG, DXF, STEP, STP, STL, AI,PDF, JPG, Draft. |
Packing | Polybag+Carton box+Wooden case/Pallet, according to customer's request |
Shipment | 1) By courier, like DHL, TNT, Fedex, etc, usually 5-7 days to arrive |
2) By air to air port, usually, 3-4 days to arrive | |
3) By Sea port, usually 15-30 days to arrive | |
Delivery Time | depend on the quantities, usually around 20 days. |
Payment Term | T/T, Paypal, Trade Assurance |
Certification | ISO |
Logo service | provided |
Application | widely used on construction, industry, automobile industry. |
Bending Overview
Bending is one of the most common processes used to form sheet metal parts. This process involves securing a flat sheet with a die or fixture and applying sufficient force to exceed the material's yield strength, causing plastic deformation. This operation changes the part's geometry, typically creating a V-, U-, or channel-like shape, while maintaining the sheet's bulk.
Bending offers the advantage of being able to achieve complex shapes without increasing the material's bulk, making it widely used in the sheet metal fabrication industry.
Sheet Metal Bending Technologies
Sheet metal bending isn't a one-size-fits-all process. Each method, such as air bending, bottoming, die bending, or roll bending, has unique implications for accuracy, springback, tooling requirements, and cost. Understanding these practical trade-offs can help engineers make better Design for Manufacturing (DfM) decisions during the design phase.
With a deep understanding of different bending technologies, engineers can select the most appropriate method to meet specific project needs and budget, thereby optimizing production efficiency and product quality.
The table below compares common bending methods based on practical design tips:
Bending Method | Angle Accuracy | Springback | Practical Design Tips | Material Thickness Range | Limitations |
Air Bending: Punch presses sheet partially into V-die without bottoming out | Moderate (~±1°) | High | Design with generous internal radii; anticipate large springback | 0.5–10 mm | Less accurate angle control; springback varies by material |
Bottoming: Punch presses fully into V-die, defined bend | High (~±0.5°) | Low to Medium | Use matching punch and die angle; minimal springback means tighter tolerances | 0.5–12 mm | Tooling changes required for different angles |
Coining: Punch compresses material, causing slight thinning |
Very High (~±0.2°) | Minimal (~0%) | Ideal for complex bends and high-repeatability parts | < 6 mm | High tool wear; unsuitable for thicker materials |
V-Bending: Forms sheet into V-shape using punch and die set | Moderate (~±1°) | Medium | General-purpose; use with consistent radii; match die opening to material thickness | 0.5–10 mm | Risk of cracking on sharp angles in brittle materials |
U-Bending: Creates channel-shaped bend with U-shaped tooling | Moderate | Medium to High | Maintain consistent U-profile depth; avoid thin flanges near open ends | 1–10 mm | Angle precision is lower; prone to deformation in small flanges |
Rotary Bending: Sheet rotates around pivot point without scratching surface | High (~±0.5°) | Low | Ideal for surface-sensitive materials (e.g., aluminum, coated parts) | 0.5–4 mm | Limited to simple angles; specialized tooling cost |
Roll Bending: Forms sheet into large-radius curves through rollers | Low (±2–3°) | High | Specify large radii clearly; minimum recommended radius ≥ 5* sheet thickness | > 1 mm | Not suitable for sharp bends; process takes longer; less predictable shape |