What Is Sheet Metal Bending? Basics, Allowance, and Tips
The rise in the demand for custom-made products resulted in research that proved sheet metal to be a versatile material …
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The extremely high level of precision needed within the aerospace industry makes CNC machining a suitable manufacturing process for the sector.
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Outstanding metal bending services for high-quality custom prototypes and production parts. Achieve the best possible bending results at low cost and fast turnarounds.
Effective metal bending applies enough force beyond the metal’s yield strength to cause the material to deform without breaking. With different types of metal bending techniques available, you can achieve various shapes and geometries for your desired applications.
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RapidDirect’s custom bending services can be used for various applications such as mold tooling, rapid prototyping, and custom manufacturing, and more.
Custom metal fabrication can be formed into 2D shaped profiles from various metals, creating functional molds for specific parts.
Provide flexibility and precision to ensure that the preliminary version of the metal part or sheet is accurate and functional before moving into full-scale production.
From rich selections of materials to bent parts manufacturing and assemblies, to flexible delivery, we provide end-to-end high-volume production solutions.
RapidDirect’s sheet metal bending services follow ISO 2768 standards ensuring that we offer customers excellent quality prototypes and production parts. We combine highly advanced metal bending machines with skilled technicians for accurate bending. Our capabilities are suitable for rapid prototyping and production.
Standards | Description |
Maximum Part Size |
1.5 m x 1.5m |
Metal Bending Forces | Up to 1000 tons |
Bending Line Length | Up to 7200 mm |
Bending Thickness | Up to 60 mm |
General Tolerances | Our metal bending standards depend on ISO 2768. |
Bend to edge/hole, single surface | +/- 0.254 mm (+/- 0.010 in.) |
Bend Radius | Be equal to material thickness |
Bend Angle | +/- 1° |
Bending Cutting Area | Up to 4000 mm |
Lead Time | 5 days or more |
RapidDirect’s metal bending service is compatible with many high-quality materials with different thicknesses. Our facility has ultra-modern equipment to bend materials across different mechanical and thermal properties. Check out some of the materials available for your project.
Commercially, aluminum is the most sought-after material for sheet metal manufacturing. Its popularity is due to its adaptive qualities and its high thermal conductivity and low resistance rates. Compared to steel—another common sheet metal material—aluminum is more cost-effective and has a higher rate of production. The material also generates the least amount of waste and can easily be reused.
Subtypes: 2024, 5052, 5083, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075
Copper is a broadly used sheet metal fabrication material in many industries as it offers good malleability and ductility. Copper is also well suited for sheet metal fabrication because of its excellent heat conduction properties and electrical conductivity.
Subtypes: C101, C110, C103, C27400, C28000. C36000
Steel offers a number of beneficial properties for industrial applications, including rigidity, longevity, heat resistance and corrosion resistance. Steel sheet metal is ideal for producing complex designs and parts that require extreme precision. Steel is also cost-efficient to work with and has excellent polishing properties.
Subtypes: 1018, 1020, 1025, 1045, 1215, 4130, 4140, 4340, 5140,A36,ST37
Improve the surfaces of your bending parts and finished products with outstanding surface finishing options. RapidDirect offers various finishes to enhance the product’s aesthetic look and other properties.
Name | Description | Materials | Color | Texture | Link |
Anodizing | Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, enhancing wear resistance and hardness, and protecting the metal surface. Widely used in mechanical parts, aircraft, and automobile parts, precision instruments, etc. | Aluminum | Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold. | Smooth, matte finish. | Learn More>> | |
Bead Blasting |
Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications and can be followed by other surface treatments. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | Matte | Learn More>> | |
Powder Coating | Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint which is delivered via an evaporating solvent, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with ultraviolet light. | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel |
Black, any RAL code or Pantone number |
Gloss or semi-gloss |
||
Electroplating | Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common. |
Aluminum, steel, stainless steel |
n/a |
Smooth, glossy finish |
|
|
Polishing |
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. The process produces a surface with significant specular reflection, but in some materials is able to reduce diffuse reflection. |
Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a |
Glossy |
||
Brushing |
Brushing is a surface treatment process in which abrasive belts are used to draw traces on the surface of a material, usually for aesthetic purposes. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | satin |
Take advantage of versatile and durable sheet metal bending parts for your extensive applications. RapidDirect works on metal bending projects to offer products for various industries, including:
Aerospace components require accuracy and tight tolerances. Custom metal bending services help bend lightweight, space-ready components, including custom interface panels, airfoils, sensor enclosures, etc.
Sheet metal bending allows the creation of several sturdy automotive structures from thin metal sheets. CNC tube benders bend automobile exhausts and frames after roll forming. Other automotive bent parts include fenders, hoods, roofs, and side panels.
Metal bending is an easily accessible process to create durable medical components that meet accuracy and quality demands. It can help make scalpels, surgical instruments, and other medical equipment.
Electronics like computers, LED lights, audiovisual equipment, telecommunications equipment, etc., are designed and developed using sheet metal manufacturing. Metal bending services ensure the cost-effective and faster creation of these prototypes and end-use products.
Sheet metal bending offers a simple and durable method for creating protective shells for electronic mechanisms for gearboxes and many other sensitive electrical components. You can get custom results and ergonomic designs, depending on your requirements.
RapidDiect’s sheet metal bending service is second to none. Our facilities and capabilities help us give our customers the best results on every project. Here’s a video that takes you through our efficient bending process at RapidDirect.
RapidDirect’s metal bending services continue to serve many industries for a wide range of applications. Check out some of our completed metal bending projects below.
At RapidDirect, we employ the latest and most effective metal bending technology to achieve the best result. Metal bending requires the highest degree of precision to meet industry demands. RapidDirect is a certified company with the right tools, expertise, and experience to offer precise prototypes and production parts.
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Hi, Andy. I want to express my gratitude to you and your team for all your efforts in completing the project. Working with RapidDirect on this metal fabrication project has been a great pleasure. I wish you a wonderful rest of your summer, and I am confident we will work together again in the future.
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Derek Armstrong
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RapidDirect has been a creative and trustworthy partner for both unique ideas and quality parts production for many years. We heartily endorse RapidDirect as a one-stop shop for both straightforward and intricate designs. They offer services for design enhancement, large selection of materials and finishing services, and quick responses.
Kleng Ellwood
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RapidDirect is an essential part of our supply chain. They regularly deliver on schedule sheet metal parts and with top-notch quality. They are easy to work with and considerate of their client’s demands. Whether it is repeat orders for parts or one of our numerous last-minute orders, they always deliver.
Feri Russell
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I am happy to say that RapidDirect is one of our top sources for fabricated metal parts. We have a 4-year relationship with them, and it all began with excellent customer service. They do a fantastic job of informing us about our order progress. We view RapidDirect more as a project partner than just a supplier for us in many ways.
Rahim Smyth
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