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Tricks of the Trade
Q: I have always thought that the inside radius of a bend was created by the punch tip. Now I am told that it is created by the V-opening on the die. Which is true?
A: It depends on what method of bending you are using to produce your parts. In the past, many press brake operators were forced to use coining as a method of bending in order to overcome inconsistencies in material thickness and hardness. In this method of bending, the tip of the punch actually pushes through the inside radius created by the V-opening, and the material is forced under high pressure to yield to the shape of the punch. In air bending and bottom bending, the inside radius is a result of the width of the V-opening. Therefore, a larger V-opening will create a larger arc, and a smaller V-opening will create a smaller arc. To calculate the inside radius that will be produced by a particular V-opening using the air bending or bottom bending method, simply take the width of the V-opening and divide it by six i.e. I.R. (inside radius)=V/6.
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