Bend Radii & Minimum Bend Sizes

Bend Radii & Minimum Bend Sizes

It is most economical to use a single bend radius throughout the design, but if necessary, you can utilize multiple radii.

Use this document to choose values that are both manufacturable and meet your needs. If you need help choosing a value, contact us at info@protocase.com or 1-866-849-3911 and we can help. Alternatively, you can design with any value, and we can adjust it for you later in the process.

The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by Protocase. It is possible to choose other bends, but tooling charges may apply.

To use the tables below:

1. Refer to table(s) for your choice of material.
2. Refer to the first column to choose your material thickness.
3. Consider what minimum bend size you require (Only consider lines that meet your minimum bend requirement).
4. You may choose any bend radius on this line(s).
5. If you have multiple options, optimize your choice.

Minimum Bend Dimension

Geometry of tooling imposes a minimum bend dimension. The diagram shows one such mechanism. Refer to the chart for values for folder as well as various press brake tooling combinations.

Tip: Use the minimum bend dimension values in the charts below for your minimum closeness of cutout to a bend.

Minimum Flange and Minimum Hole

We’ve broken down our minimum bend size into two values: minimum hole distance and minimum flange distance.

Minimum hole distance specifies how far a hole must be placed from the bend radii to ensure it will not warp. Minimum hole distance applies only for round holes and rounded slots oriented perpendicular to the bend radii.

Minimum flange is the minimum distance that the edge of a flange, or particular types of cutouts (rounded slots parallel to the bend, rectangular or oval-shaped cutouts) can be outside of the bend.

Refer to the material tables below for minimum flange and minimum hole values.

MATERIAL, BEND RADII AND MINIMUM BEND SIZE CHARTS

Note 1: The bend radius you select may not be available if the geometry of the part will not allow us to bend with the specific tooling required to achieve that radius.

If your bend radius needs to be adjusted, a member of Engineering & Design Services team will contact you before your design is manufactured.

Note 2: Increasing your thickness and using smaller bend radius tools (radius value is less than the thickness of material) will increase your chances of cracking along the outside of the bends. This is hard to predict and is due to a number of factors such as tool radius and length/width of bend.