1. What is a Press Brake Tonnage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the required press brake tonnage in metric units for bending metal sheets.

Purpose: It helps metal fabricators select the appropriate press brake capacity for their bending operations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the force needed to bend metal based on material properties and tooling dimensions.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Accurate tonnage calculation ensures proper machine selection, prevents equipment overloading, and achieves quality bends.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the bend length, material thickness, tensile strength (default 400 MPa for mild steel), and V-die opening (default 32 mm). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical tensile strength for mild steel?
A: Mild steel typically has a tensile strength of 400 MPa, but check your material specifications for exact values.

Q2: How do I determine V-die opening?
A: As a rule of thumb, V-die opening is usually 6-12 times the material thickness (e.g., 8× for mild steel).

Q3: Does this account for different materials?
A: Yes, by adjusting the tensile strength value (e.g., 600 MPa for stainless steel, 250 MPa for aluminum).

Q4: What if I need to bend multiple parts at once?
A: Multiply the length (L) by the number of bends being made simultaneously.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated tonnage for safety margin and material variations.