Bending is where a flat blank becomes a part, and it is also where most fabrication problems start: a wrong bend allowance throws every downstream dimension off, and a flange that is too short simply cannot be formed. We treat bending as a planned operation — material, grain direction, inside radius and bend sequence are decided before the blank is cut, not on the shop floor.
Capabilities at a glance
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Max bend length | 4,000 mm |
| Max tonnage | 320 t (heavier on request) |
| Material thickness | 0.5 – 12 mm (steel) · 0.5 – 8 mm (aluminum) |
| Angle tolerance | ±0.5° |
| Bend-position tolerance | ±0.1 – 0.2 mm |
| Typical inside radius | ≈ material thickness (V-die dependent) |
How bend allowance works
When metal bends, the outer surface stretches and the inner surface compresses; somewhere between them sits the neutral axis, which keeps its length. The flat blank has to be sized to that neutral length, not to the sum of the outer dimensions — otherwise the finished part is oversized by the bend deduction at every bend. We calculate the bend allowance from the actual K-factor for your material and our die, which is why we ask for material grade and thickness up front.
What this means for your drawing
- Dimension to a consistent datum — ideally one edge or one hole — so tolerances do not stack across multiple bends.
- Keep flanges at least 4x thickness plus inside radius; tell us if a short flange is functionally required.
- Note any bend that must stay sharp or, conversely, any large radius — both change the tooling.
Materials we form
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mild steel (SPCC, Q235) | Most economical; powder coat or zinc plate to prevent rust. |
| Stainless 304 / 316 | Springback is higher — we over-bend to compensate. |
| Aluminum 5052 / 6061 | 5052 forms well; 6061-T6 cracks on tight radii, so we use a larger radius or anneal. |
| Galvanized / pre-coated | Formable; we protect the coating with film tooling where finish matters. |
Related processes
Most bent parts start as a laser-cut blank and finish with powder coating or plating. Quoting them together avoids handling charges between shops.