K Factor Definition In Sheet Metal

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.

K factor definition in sheet metal.

The k factor in sheet metal working is the ratio of the neutral axis to the material thickness. So for a very large radius bend where the neutral axis lies right in the center of the material the k factor would be exactly 0 5 or half the thickness. In sheet metal design the k factor is used to calculate how much sheet metal one needs to leave for the bend in order to achieve particular final dimensions especially for between the straight sides next the bend. The location of the neutral axis varies and is based on the material s physical properties and its thickness.

Most cad systems that have sheet metal design tools will allow you to input a k factor that the software uses to calculate the unfolding to give an accurate blank or flat pattern. Use the known k factor and the known inner bending radius to calculate the bending radius of the neutral line. K factor plays a key role in understanding the limits a material can handle during sheet metal bending. When metal is bent the top section is going to undergo compression and the bottom section will be stretched.

Consider the flat blank below. The line where the transition from compression to stretching occurs is called the neutral axis. K factor a constant determined by dividing the thickness of the sheet by the location of the neutral axis which is the part of sheet metal that does not change length. So if the thickness of the sheet was a distance of t 1 mm and the location of the neutral axis was a distance of t 0 5 mm measured from the inside bend then you would have a k factor of t t 0 5 1 0 5.

K factor in sheet metal bending is a constant used to calculate sheet metal flat length or flat pattern. Meboost employs the k factor method to calculate flat blanks in two directions. The k factor method is a versatile way of calculating sheet metal flat blank dimensions. The k factor in sheet metal working is the ratio of the neutral axis to the material thickness.

When metal is bent the top section is going to undergo compression and the bottom section will be stretched. Mathematically k factor value is equal to the ratio of position of neutral axis and sheet thickness.