Visible faces and tool contact
Identify show surfaces, brushing direction and acceptable witness marks. Ask about surface protection and handling where required; protective measures must suit the material and tooling.
Formed geometry, defined by the drawing
Sheet metal
bending.
From mounting brackets to equipment covers. Form sheet metal around the radius, angle and locating features that make your assembly fit.
0.5–12 mmAluminum thickness range*
±0.2 mmBend-to-edge / hole target*
±1°Typical bend-angle target*
ISO 2768-1Class specified on drawing
*Ranges and typical targets depend on material and geometry. View dimensions, tolerances and conditions ↓
More than a bend angle.
A component that assembles.
Bending turns the cut blank into a functional structure. Tool access, radius, flange length and final-state dimensions determine whether the part works in the assembly.
What the service covers
- Single-bend parts, return flanges and multi-bend components
- Material and temper considered with radius and springback
- Final dimensions and surface protection planned before forming
Formed parts that belong in an assembly.
Look at the return flanges, mounting holes and offsets. These are the details that connect a formed component to its function.
Vented covers & enclosures
Folded walls, slot patterns and accessible fastener locations.
Multi-bend mounting brackets
Return flanges and hole positions that must meet after several bends.
Slotted mounting features
Hole-to-bend distance, slot distortion and the assembly datum.
Offset brackets
Forming sequence, final offset and the fit of mounting faces.
Quote the formed part your assembly needs.
Send the formed model and drawing. Mark the datums, bend relationships and visible surfaces before price, tooling and inspection are agreed.
CAD + material + thickness + quantityConcrete forming targets.
Defined around the finished part.
Match thickness, angle and feature relationships to the finished part. The ranges and typical targets below depend on material, geometry, tooling and bend length.
| Material | Thickness range | Bend angle* | Bend-to-edge / hole* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 0.5–12 mm | ±1° | ±0.2 mm |
| Carbon steel | 0.5–10 mm | ±1° | ±0.2 mm |
| Stainless steel | 0.5–8 mm | ±1° | ±0.2 mm |
Define the bend envelope.
Send the blank size, finished L × W × H, each bend length and the return flanges. Usable length depends on material, thickness, tool access and the forming sequence.
Define how it is measured.
State the datum face, inside or outside dimensions, and whether acceptance applies after coating. Angle and cross-bend dimensions are separate controls.
* Material, thickness, length, geometry and final condition affect these ranges and typical targets. Drawing-specific tolerances and the usable part envelope are confirmed in the quotation.
Drawing and execution standards
Make acceptance measurable: identify the standard, edition, class and the features it controls in the order documents.
| Requirement | Applicable standard | How it enters the order |
|---|---|---|
| General linear & angular dimensions | ISO 2768-1 | Select the tolerance class and applicable edition on the drawing. Individually toleranced features remain explicit. |
| Geometrical specification | ISO 22081 | Define the general geometrical requirement, datum system and applicable features. Specify numeric controls separately where function requires them. |
| Material purchasing specification | ASTM B209/B209M · ASTM A480/A480M | Aluminum sheet/plate and stainless sheet/strip requirements respectively. State alloy, temper, product form and the required document. |
The standard, edition and class stated in the accepted drawing and order define the requirements. The agreed inspection plan establishes how the finished part is checked.
Resolve the details before the first fold.
Use the finished component to define function. Then check the radius, flange, relief, feature location and tool path that make it possible to form.
Inside radius and material condition
Choose an inside radius against the alloy, temper, thickness, grain direction and tooling. A radius equal to thickness is not a universal rule. Flag bends where cracking, cosmetic appearance or mating geometry governs acceptance.
Minimum flange and tool support
A flange needs sufficient support over the chosen die opening. Short flanges, hems and offsets may need a different tool or sequence. Show the full surrounding geometry rather than quoting the flange length alone.
Holes, slots and bend reliefs
Features close to a bend can distort during forming. Locate them from the functional datum, discuss reliefs and consider whether a critical feature should be finished after forming. Confirm any model or drawing change before manufacture.
Springback and final angle
The sheet recovers elastically after forming. Material condition, thickness and tool setup influence the result. Specify the final angle and how it will be checked; do not use a generic compensation angle for every alloy.
Return flanges and forming access
Closed boxes, deep returns and opposing flanges can obstruct the punch, die or machine. Review the sequence and space for positioning the part. A geometry that looks clear in the final model may still be inaccessible during forming.
Flat patterns and bend allowance
If you supply a flat pattern, identify whether it is reference-only or controlled. Bend allowance depends on material and tooling. Agree responsibility for the manufacturing development rather than transferring an assumed K-factor without review.
Make the final geometry clear before forming.
Highlight the bend-to-hole relationships, datum faces and cosmetic requirements. Include the formed model with the drawing.
CAD + material + thickness + quantityThe alloy and temper belong together.
Material names alone do not establish bendability. Identify the grade, condition, sheet thickness and rolling direction, together with the required final radius.
| Material | Identify explicitly | Forming considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum sheet | For example, 5052-H32 or 6061 in the specified temper | 6061 is heat-treatable. Temper and grain direction matter; do not apply one radius rule across alloy and condition combinations. |
| Stainless steel | Exact grade, thickness, surface finish and condition | Review springback, tool marks, bend direction and any treatment after joining. |
| Carbon and coated steel | Sheet specification, grade, thickness and coating | Review ductility, force, corrosion protection and possible coating damage at bends. |
| Copper and brass | Sheet or strip grade, temper, surface and conductivity requirements | Use grade-specific formability and supply information. A free-machining bar grade is not an automatic substitute for formable sheet. |
| Other specified alloys | Exact alloy, condition, documentation and project requirements | Confirm material sourcing, tooling, bend feasibility and validation before committing to the route. |
Protect appearance and leave room for the finish.
Cosmetic surfaces, coating thickness and assembly clearances should be planned before cutting and forming, not added after the dimensions are fixed.
Coating, masking and hardware
Define finish type, color, coating thickness and any masked threads or contact areas. Agree the sequence for forming, hardware insertion, joining and finishing around access and final fit.
Review surface finishes ↗ Powder coating for metal parts ↗
Measure the formed part against its function.
Agree final-state datums, measurement support and which features govern assembly. Bend angle, flange length and hole position are different controls and need appropriate acceptance definitions.
Verify the geometry after forming.
Connect the controlled drawing to an agreed inspection plan. Identify the features that govern function and the records required with the finished parts.
- Final angle, flange and bend-to-hole relationships
- Inside / outside dimensions and functional datum faces
- Free-state or supported measurement condition
- Acceptance after coating, joining and hardware insertion
ISO 9001:2015
PROLEAN MFG (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
SGS CN24/00004900
Production of hardware accessories
Make the formed-state requirements part of the quote.
Send the final model with angle, datum and bend-to-hole controls. State which dimensions apply after coating or assembly.
Drawing revision + final-state requirements + inspection scopeA useful bending RFQ starts with the final shape.
Send formed geometry and the requirements that matter, including likely quantity breaks and your target date. Quote response, manufacturing and shipping are separate stages.
Share the definition
Provide the model, controlled drawing, alloy and temper, thickness, radius, bend direction and quantity. Identify any reference flat pattern.
Resolve access and fit
Review tooling access, forming sequence, radius, critical dimensions and finish allowances. Agree proposed changes before production.
Approve the route
Confirm the quotation, revision, delivery basis, first-article gate and inspection scope for the formed condition.
Inspect and protect
Check the agreed features after forming and finishing. Define packing that protects flanges, cosmetic faces and assembly interfaces.
Questions to settle before forming.
What is the maximum bending length or thickness?
Usable capacity depends on material, thickness, individual bend length, tooling, required force and access around the complete part. Send the formed model and drawing so the suitable route can be confirmed. A single maximum cannot describe every combination.
Can you bend 6061 aluminum?
Specify the exact temper, thickness, radius and grain direction. 6061 is a heat-treatable alloy, and its forming behavior depends on condition. Feasibility needs review; do not substitute another temper or alloy without approval.
How close can a hole be to a bend?
Distance must be considered with thickness, radius, tooling and the permitted hole distortion. Show the finished hole location and function so the route, relief or secondary operation can be assessed.
Which tolerances apply after coating?
Identify the dimensions and geometric controls that apply to the finished part, with units and datums. Coating can affect clearances and contact surfaces. Confirm masking and measurement conditions in the drawing review.
Do I need to supply a flat pattern?
A flat pattern can help, but the formed definition and critical requirements remain essential. State whether the supplied flat is controlled or reference information, and agree who develops the manufacturing flat.
Can you make enclosed boxes or multiple return bends?
These geometries require tool-clearance and forming-sequence review. Include all flanges, openings and assembly features. Alternatives may involve a changed sequence, separate components or joining, subject to your approval.
When is stamping worth considering instead?
A stable repeated design and sufficient demand may justify dedicated tooling. Compare tool investment, unit cost, validation and likely design changes with a cutting-and-bending route. Review metal stamping requirements.