K Factor Sheet Metal

The k factor method is a versatile way of calculating sheet metal flat blank dimensions.

K factor sheet metal.

K factor in sheet metal bending is a constant that is used to calculate sheet metal flat length. K factor 180 x ba π x complementary bend angle x mt ir mt 2. In sheet metal the k factor is the ratio of the neutral axis to the material thickness. Mathematically this formula looks like this.

To figure this out the reason why the k factor can t exceed 0 5 you first need to know what the k factor is. When a piece of metal is being formed the inner portion of the bend compresses while the outer portion expands see figure 1. Calculate k factor bend allowance and y factor for sheet metal bending 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. Sheet metal flat length can be calculated using cad softwares.

The k factor is the ratio of the neutral layer position thickness t of the sheet metal to the overall thickness of the sheet metal material t i e. 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. Use the known k factor and the known inner bending radius to calculate the bending radius of the neutral line. The k factor in sheet metal working is the ratio of the neutral axis to the material 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 line where the transition from compression to stretching occurs is called the neutral axis. Definition of the k factor. Therefore using k factor there is no need to calculate sheet metal flat length manually.

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. Finding y factor for sheet metal bending. When metal is bent the top section is going to undergo compression and the bottom section will be stretched. The location of the neutral axis varies and is based on the material s physical properties and its thickness.

We have already designed the formed part and need to know the overall dimensions as well as the location of the bend lines. Meboost employs the k factor method to calculate flat blanks in two directions. 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. Find the material thickness mt and you ll have the information you need for calculating the k factor for sheet metal bending. For example if the value of k factor for given material thickness and bending machines is known.