1. What is Press Brake Bending Force?

Definition: The amount of force required to bend a metal sheet or plate using a press brake.

Purpose: Helps metal fabricators select the appropriate press brake and tooling for their bending operations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Bending force (tons)
• \( L \) — Length of bend (inches)
• \( t \) — Material thickness (inches)
• \( S \) — Tensile strength (psi)
• \( V \) — V-die opening (inches)

Explanation: The formula calculates the required tonnage based on material properties and tooling dimensions.

3. Importance of Bending Force Calculation

Details: Accurate force calculation ensures proper machine selection, prevents machine overload, and helps achieve quality bends.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the bend length, material thickness, tensile strength (default 60,000 psi for mild steel), and V-die opening (typically 8x material thickness). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical tensile strength for mild steel?
A: About 60,000 psi (default value), but check your material specs as it can range from 45,000 to 80,000 psi.

Q2: How do I determine V-die opening?
A: General rule is 6-12 times material thickness (8x is common). Wider openings require less force but may affect bend quality.

Q3: Does this work for all metals?
A: Yes, but you must use the correct tensile strength value for your specific material.

Q4: Why is thickness squared in the formula?
A: Because bending resistance increases exponentially with material thickness.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: It's recommended to add 10-20% to the calculated value for safety margin.