Calculating K Factor For Sheet Metal

To calculate the neutral axis distance from the inner face t we can subtract inside bend radius from r.

Calculating k factor for sheet metal.

Typically the k factor is going to be between 0 and 5. While modern bend deduction charts now are reasonably accurate historically bend calculation charts both for bend allowances and bend deductions were notorious. Then input the bend angle to get the arc length bend allowance and bend deduction. Calculate k factor bend allowance and y factor for sheet metal bending.

As shown in figure 1 below k t t. Then input leg length a and b to get the flat size of the sheet. K factor in sheet metal bending is a constant that is used to calculate sheet metal flat length. It allows you to anticipate the bend deduction for a large variety of angles without having to rely on a chart.

Therefore using k factor there is no need to calculate sheet metal flat length manually. As a result overall sheet length increases. Whereas the outer surface is stretched. The part of the material that bends.

For example if the value of k factor for given material thickness and bending machines is known. In order to find the k factor you will need to bend a sample piece and deduce the bend allowance. The k factor is fundamental to designing precise sheet metal products. The k factor is the most important and elusive variable of bending because it varies both as a function of the material and according to parameters such as angle and tooling.

And by having t and the sheet thickness t we can calculate the k factor as follow. Types of metal bends and forming methods bending and bend formation are important factors when it comes to calculating bend deduction which is the total elongation for a particular type of bend. Bending angles greater than 90 degrees. The k factor is defined as a constant that is greater than 0 and less than 1.

K factor plays a key role in understanding the limits a material can handle during sheet metal bending. The k factor is defined as the ratio between the material thickness t and the neutral fibre axis t i e. When sheet metal is bend the inside bending surface is compressed. Since the k factor is based on the property of the metal and its thickness there is no simple way to calculate it ahead of the first bend.

Best way to calculate k factor in sheet metal is by reverse engineering. Like previous scenarios let s start by calculating leg length 1. This change in sheet length depends on the position of neutral axis or k factor.