Cincinnati Brake Press Calculator

Press Brake Tonnage Formula:

\[ Tonnage = \frac{Material\ Thickness^2 \times Bend\ Length \times Factor}{Vee\ Die\ Width} \]

Material Thickness:

Bend Length:

Material Factor:

Vee Die Width:

Required Tonnage:

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1. What is Press Brake Tonnage Calculation?

Press brake tonnage calculation determines the required force to bend sheet metal using a press brake. Accurate tonnage calculation ensures proper machine selection and prevents equipment damage while achieving quality bends.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard press brake tonnage formula:

\[ Tonnage = \frac{Material\ Thickness^2 \times Bend\ Length \times Factor}{Vee\ Die\ Width} \]

Where:

\( Material\ Thickness \) — Thickness of the material in inches
\( Bend\ Length \) — Length of the bend in inches
\( Factor \) — Material factor (1.0 for mild steel, 0.5 for stainless, etc.)
\( Vee\ Die\ Width \) — Width of the V-die opening in inches

Explanation: The formula calculates the required force based on material properties and bending parameters, with material factor accounting for different material strengths.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Proper tonnage calculation prevents machine overload, ensures bend quality, reduces springback, and extends tooling life. Under-tonnage causes incomplete bends while over-tonnage damages equipment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter material thickness and bend length in inches, select appropriate material factor, and specify V-die width. All values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical material factor for different metals?
A: Mild steel = 1.0, Stainless steel = 0.5, Aluminum = 0.33, Brass = 0.4. These factors account for material tensile strength.

Q2: How does V-die width affect tonnage?
A: Wider V-dies require less tonnage but may affect bend quality. Narrower dies require more force but provide sharper bends.

Q3: What is the minimum V-die width for a given thickness?
A: General rule: V-die width = 6-8 × material thickness for mild steel, 8-12 × thickness for harder materials.

Q4: How does bend length affect required tonnage?
A: Tonnage increases linearly with bend length. Doubling the bend length doubles the required tonnage.

Q5: Should safety factors be applied?
A: Yes, add 10-20% safety margin to calculated tonnage to account for material variations and tooling wear.