What are the processes corresponding to sheet metal bending?

Sheet metal bending is one of the important and widely used techniques in sheet metal manufacturing, allowing to transform straight sheet metal parts into angled components. Below are the main processes corresponding to sheet metal bending, grouped according to different classifications:

First. Traditional mechanical bending:

This is the most traditional method of sheet metal bending, by using mechanical pressure to bend the sheet metal into the desired shape.

Advantages: relatively low equipment costs, suitable for mass production.

Disadvantages: high cost of moulds, need to store a large number of moulds, the accuracy of bending is affected by mechanical wear and tear.

Second. CNC bending:

CNC bending using computer-controlled bending machine, through the programming of the upper and lower mould to control the movement of the trajectory, to achieve the complex shape of the bending.

Advantages: high precision, high efficiency, suitable for complex shape bending.

Disadvantages: high cost of equipment, programming and calibration requires professionals.

Third. Laser bending:

Bending is achieved by using a high-energy laser beam to locally heat the sheet metal and then rapidly cool it.

Advantages: contactless bending, reducing material damage, suitable for high-precision, small radius bending.

Disadvantages: high equipment costs, restrictions on the type of metal, and the need for specific process parameters.

Fourth. Hydraulic bending:

Uses liquid pressure to bend sheet metal, usually requiring a removable bending punch and a fixed die.

Advantages: Suitable for bending large and heavy materials.

Disadvantages: High equipment costs and specific requirements for the working environment.

Fifth. The specific bending method:

L-bending: according to the angle is divided into 90 ° folding and non-90 ° folding, and its name according to the angle within the formation.

N-fold: forming based on the l and h size values and take different processing methods, one is directly divided into two folding moulding, the other is to add shims anti-folding and flattening.

Z-fold: Also known as break, according to the forming angle is divided into straight edge break and oblique edge break, the processing method depends on the height of the break.

Pressing the dead edge: also known as reverse folding and flattening, the forming process is completed in two steps: first bending to about 35 degrees, and then use the flattening die to press out the dead edge.

Rivet Pressing: Rivet Pressing with a bending machine generally requires the assistance of a jig to ensure the verticality of the rivets.

Easy Moulding: For small breaks, small hooks, shrapnel, drawbridge, etc. using the bending machine can not be completed by ordinary moulds or more complex processing situations.

Six. Other bending methods:

Flexible bending: the use of flexible materials (such as flexible metal tape or plastic) as a mould, through heating or bending to make the metal plate and its fit.

Electrochemical bending: the use of electrolysis method of local dissolution of the metal plate, through the control of the dissolution process to achieve bending.

Ultrasonic bending: the use of high-frequency vibration to make sheet metal local plastic deformation, so as to achieve bending.

The above are the main processes corresponding to sheet metal bending. Each of these processes has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the specific choice depends on the material, processing needs, cost budget and other factors.