Metal sheet bending

Minifaber boasts a fifty years expertise in the field of metal sheet bending: a process of metal cold working that takes place by means of a machine, called a bender. The mold of the bender exerts pressure on the flat plate, to obtain different shapes.

Together with the shearing and molding process, sheet metal bending is used on metal surfaces to obtain semi-finished products and can be carried out on surfaces of different types: our specialization is the bending of aluminum, stainless steel, iron and copper.

What will you find on this page?

• How works metal sheet bending at Minifaber;
  • Aluminum bending;
  • Steel bending;
  • Iron bending;
  • Stainless steel bending;
  • Copper bending;
• Different types of sheet metal bending;
• Our specialties in sheet-bending;
• Minifaber machines.

The quality of our aluminum sheet metal bending

Every metal responds differently to the metal sheet bending operation, which is why every single one of them needs to be treated carefully, according to its mechanical and physical properties, to avoid cracking.

In order to be able to provide a quality metal sheet bending service, we rely on 7 technologically advanced bending machines and a well-prepared Technical Staff, that is going to transform your idea into a feasible project and, ultimately, into a real-life finished or semi-finished product.

Aluminum sheet bending

The bending of an aluminum sheet is one of the simplest processes, thanks to the well-known properties that characterize the aluminum: softness, malleability and lightness allow to bend it without risk of breaking or causing cracks. Learn more about the aluminum bending process and how we do it here at Minifaber.

Steel sheet bending

Also known as press braking, flanging, folding and edging, bending is one of the most commonly employed cold working methods in the sheet metal industry. The most characteristic property of steel is its hardness: for the bending of steel, therefore, it is essential to respect precise measures, that allow obtaining an always optimal result. Steel bending and stainless steel bending are slightly different processes: in Minifaber we carry out both of them with the utmost precision.

Iron sheet bending

It is the second most popular metal after aluminum: it is easy, therefore, to understand how the range of its applications is incredibly vast. To cover all those needs, we perform iron bending processes. Iron sheet bending deforms the iron sheet, but it does not change its thickness. The process must always be performed by professionals because of the characteristics of the metal:

• the processing temperature;
• the stress due to previous processes;
• the kind of the edges to obtain;
• the length and the thickness of the workpiece.

Stainless steel sheet bending

Stainless steel is particularly required in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, due to its high corrosion resistance: in this way, it is possible to maintain high levels of hygiene. Learn more about how we bend steel and stainless steel.

Copper sheet bending

The high electrical and thermal conductivity of copper makes it one of the most requested metals for applications such as those of the building sector. In fact, copper possesses a few characteristics that make it a top choice for bending operations, despite its high cost. For these specific requests, in the microfiber the bending of the copper is joined to the bending of the other metals. Due to our specialization in cold metal working, in Minifaber we successfully provide a copper bending service that allows you to obtain the exact product you want!

What kinds of sheet metal bending are there?

Sheet bending requires the application of a force to sheet metal that bends at an angle and forms the desired shape. But this is only the general process: if we get more in detail, we will find:

• sheet metal bending with V-die or air bending – the most common when the need is to reach corner till 90°
• U-bending, which uses cylinder molds
• rotary bending, when the metal bending machine curves a flat metal surface thanks to the use of a rotary die (a cylinder)

Our sheet metal bending process

Depending on the sheet metal type, Minifaber chooses the most suitable process. First of all, we cooperate with the clients to determine the needed product. Then, we study the feasibility stages to the realization of the semi-finished or finished product, and we choose the right machine and sheet metal bending process between air bending, U-bending and rotary bending. 

V-bending and air sheet metal bending process

V-bending and air bending are so called because the workpiece does not fully touch the parts of the tool. In the air bending process, the workpiece rests on 2 points and the punch pushes the bend. It is still usually done with a press brake, but there is no need for a side die.

The air-air sheet metal bending process offers great flexibility. With this method, between 90 and 180 degrees can be achieved. In case the load is released and the springback of the material results in an incorrect angle, it is simple to adjust it by applying more pressure.

Of course, this results in less precision than other types of sheet metal process. At the same time, the great advantage of air bending is that retooling is not necessary for bending at different angles.

U-bending process

The U-bend is very similar to the V-bend. There is a die and a punch, this time both cylindrical in shape, that result in the bending of the sheet metal. This is a very simple method for bending, for example, steel U-channels, but it is not so common as such profiles can also be produced by other, more flexible methods.

Rotary sheet metal bending process

Roller bending process is used to make tubes or cones of different shapes using cylinder molds. Depending on the capacity of the machine and the number of rolls, one or more bends can be made simultaneously.

To bend the part on both ends and the center section, an additional operation is required. This sheet metal bending process is performed on a hydraulic press or press brake. Otherwise, the edges will be flat.

Minifaber’s machines for sheet metal bending

Sheet metal bending is carried out through CNC machines that can bend either a big quantity or a single piece of metal with the same and utmost precision.

Depending on your needs, this technological machinery can realize different kinds of bends such as standard ones, U-bending or rotary bending. Minifaber can choose among 7 bending machines ranging from 30 to 180 tonnes depending on the product to obtain.

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