Neutral Axis In Sheet Metal Bending

I had a question on k factors for our 3 d modeling software.

Neutral axis in sheet metal bending.

The k factor is the ratio of the neutral axis location t to the material thickness mt. The neutral axis is the zone or plane that separates the tension from the compression. When you bend sheet metal the neutral axis shifts toward the inside surface of the bend. Then input the bend angle to get the arc length bend allowance and bend deduction.

The location of the neutral axis varies and is based on the material s physical properties and its thickness. The line where the transition from compression to stretching occurs is called the neutral axis or the neutral sheet. Our design engineers typically use a factor of 0 4 for our air formed press brake parts. Somewhere in between lies the neutral axis which is a line in the steel that is neither compressed nor stretched.

Displaystyle k frac r frac ba pi a 180 t. Somewhere in between the thickness of material lies neutral axis. Input material thickness and and inner radius to get the data of k factor y factor neutral layer. Then input leg length a and b to get the flat size of the sheet.

In sheet metal bending process when metal is bent the material along the inner bend radius is going to undergo compression and the material along the outer bend radius will be stretched. Look closely a figure 1. The line where the transition from compression to stretching occurs is called the neutral axis. Notice how the sheet has thinned at the bend.

Neutral axis is a line where material is neither compressed or stretched. The following equation relates the k factor to the bend allowance. Inside bend surface is compressed whereas the outer bend surface is stretched. When metal is bent the top section is going to undergo compression and the bottom section will be stretched.

The arc length of the neutral line is the length of the sheet metal you have to leave for the bend. During sheet metal bending. The tighter the radius the bigger the opposing forces become bringing up the concept of minimal radius. The neutral axis position depends on the bend angle inside bend radius and method of forming.