News 
News 
News -
Contact Us
-
Phone number：+1-312-443-3605
Fax：
E-Mail：root@osirsmybou.com
Addresses：The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60606
How to select molds for sheet metal bending process
Category：answer Publishing time：2025-12-12 15:18:01 Browse： Times
1. Selecting Molds Based on Material Characteristics
Different sheet metal materials have different mechanical properties, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and carbon steel, which have differences in hardness and ductility. For example, stainless steel has high strength and springback rate, so it requires greater pressure during bending and needs to select lower dies with high strength and wear resistance; while aluminum alloy material is softer and tends to produce indentation, so molds with larger radii should be selected to reduce damage.
2. Adjusting Mold Clearance Based on Sheet Material Thickness
The thickness of the sheet material is an important parameter in mold selection. Generally, the opening width of the lower die should be 6 to 8 times the thickness of the sheet material (V-shaped bending) to ensure the stability of the bending angle and reduce springback. For thinner sheets (such as less than 1mm), a smaller opening lower die should be selected to prevent material slippage or incomplete bending; while for thick plates, a larger opening, higher strength mold structure should be selected.
3. Selecting Mold Type Based on Bending Angle
Common bending forms include right-angle bending, acute-angle bending, and obtuse-angle bending. Bending at different angles requires different mold combinations. For example, a standard 90° bend usually uses a standard V-shaped die with a right-angle upper die; while small-angle bends of 30° to 60° may require special mold structures such as offset upper dies or flanging dies. In addition, the springback of the material should be considered during the bending process, and over-bending springback compensation technology may be necessary if required.
4. Consider the Shape and Size of the Workpiece
The complexity of the workpiece shape and size will also affect the selection of molds. For irregular parts or components with special structures, it may be necessary to customize non-standard molds to achieve precise forming. At the same time, the length of the mold should match the length of the workpiece bending edge to avoid uneven bending due to a mold that is too short.
5. Selecting Appropriate Molds Based on Machine Tool Performance
Different types of bending machines (such as hydraulic bending machines, CNC bending machines) have different requirements for molds. CNC bending machines, due to their high precision and high degree of automation, usually require molds with good interchangeability and positioning accuracy. In addition, factors such as mold installation method, guide structure, and guide accuracy also need to be comprehensively considered to ensure operational safety and processing quality.
Conclusion
In summary, the selection of molds in the sheet metal bending process is a systematic project, involving multiple factors such as material, thickness, angle, shape, and equipment performance. Only by understanding the processing requirements thoroughly and combining them with actual production conditions for reasonable selection can the goal of efficient and high-quality sheet metal processing be achieved. Enterprises should establish a scientific mold management system according to their own process characteristics to enhance the overall manufacturing level and market competitiveness.
1. Selecting Molds Based on Material Characteristics
Different sheet metal materials have different mechanical properties, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and carbon steel, which have differences in hardness and ductility. For example, stainless steel has high strength and springback rate, so it requires greater pressure during bending and needs to select lower dies with high strength and wear resistance; while aluminum alloy material is softer and tends to produce indentation, so molds with larger radii should be selected to reduce damage.
2. Adjusting Mold Clearance Based on Sheet Material Thickness
The thickness of the sheet material is an important parameter in mold selection. Generally, the opening width of the lower die should be 6 to 8 times the thickness of the sheet material (V-shaped bending) to ensure the stability of the bending angle and reduce springback. For thinner sheets (such as less than 1mm), a smaller opening lower die should be selected to prevent material slippage or incomplete bending; while for thick plates, a larger opening, higher strength mold structure should be selected.
3. Selecting Mold Type Based on Bending Angle
Common bending forms include right-angle bending, acute-angle bending, and obtuse-angle bending. Bending at different angles requires different mold combinations. For example, a standard 90° bend usually uses a standard V-shaped die with a right-angle upper die; while small-angle bends of 30° to 60° may require special mold structures such as offset upper dies or flanging dies. In addition, the springback of the material should be considered during the bending process, and over-bending springback compensation technology may be necessary if required.
4. Consider the Shape and Size of the Workpiece
The complexity of the workpiece shape and size will also affect the selection of molds. For irregular parts or components with special structures, it may be necessary to customize non-standard molds to achieve precise forming. At the same time, the length of the mold should match the length of the workpiece bending edge to avoid uneven bending due to a mold that is too short.
5. Selecting Appropriate Molds Based on Machine Tool Performance
Different types of bending machines (such as hydraulic bending machines, CNC bending machines) have different requirements for molds. CNC bending machines, due to their high precision and high degree of automation, usually require molds with good interchangeability and positioning accuracy. In addition, factors such as mold installation method, guide structure, and guide accuracy also need to be comprehensively considered to ensure operational safety and processing quality.
Conclusion
In summary, the selection of molds in the sheet metal bending process is a systematic project, involving multiple factors such as material, thickness, angle, shape, and equipment performance. Only by understanding the processing requirements thoroughly and combining them with actual production conditions for reasonable selection can the goal of efficient and high-quality sheet metal processing be achieved. Enterprises should establish a scientific mold management system according to their own process characteristics to enhance the overall manufacturing level and market competitiveness.
