What is sheet metal bending?
Sheet metal bending and metal forming is performed with the use of a metal bending machine called a press brake. The work piece to be metal formed is placed in the machine and the shoes are raised with elevation levers. The work is then slid into place, and the shoes lowered back down onto the piece to be formed. Metal bending occurs by applying force to the bending lever on the bending brake. Adjustment bolts determine the radius of the metal bend. Minimum bend radius is a function of the ductility and thickness of the material being worked. For aluminum sheet, the metal bend radius should be greater than the sheet thickness. It is necessary to bend the work slightly beyond the desired angle because the sheet metal will spring-back. Sheet metal bending is done in metal fabrication shops.
