1. What is a Press Brake Forming Tonnage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required press brake tonnage needed to bend sheet metal based on material properties and die specifications.

Purpose: It helps metal fabricators determine the appropriate press brake capacity 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)
• \( S \) — Material tensile strength (psi)
• \( V \) — V-die opening width (inches)

Explanation: The formula calculates the force needed to bend metal by considering material properties and die geometry.

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: Why is V-die opening important?
A: The die opening affects the leverage ratio - wider openings require less tonnage but may reduce bend quality.

Q2: What's a typical tensile strength for mild steel?
A: Mild steel typically has 60,000 psi tensile strength, but stainless steel can be 75,000-90,000 psi.

Q3: How does material thickness affect tonnage?
A: Tonnage increases with the square of thickness - doubling thickness requires 4x the tonnage.

Q4: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, consider using 1.2-1.5x the calculated tonnage to account for material variations and tool wear.

Q5: What if my material is aluminum?
A: Use aluminum's tensile strength (about 30,000 psi for 6061) in the calculation.