1. What is a Press Brake Bending Tonnage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required press brake tonnage for bending sheet metal based on material properties and dimensions.

Purpose: It 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:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the force needed to bend a specific length of material, accounting for material properties and die selection.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Proper tonnage estimation ensures successful bending operations, prevents machine overload, and helps select appropriate tooling.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical tensile strength for mild steel?
A: Mild steel typically has a tensile strength of 60,000 psi (default value). Stainless steel is about 75,000-90,000 psi.

Q2: How do I determine V-die opening?
A: General rule: V-die opening = 8 × material thickness. For precision bending, use 6-12 × thickness.

Q3: Why is thickness squared in the formula?
A: Bending resistance increases exponentially with thickness, hence the squared relationship.

Q4: Does this account for different bend angles?
A: This calculates for 90° bends. For other angles, multiply result by (angle/90).

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, consider adding 20-30% to the calculated tonnage for safety margin and material variations.