CNC Bending Service

Highly versatile, strong, and cost-effective, steels are among the most common materials we bend. We handle various grades suitable for structural components, general fabrication, machine parts, and more.

Common Grades We Process:

• Mild Steel: A36, 1018, S235, S275 (Often specified by finish: Hot Rolled – HR or Cold Rolled – CR)
• Carbon Steel: 1045, C45 (Medium to high carbon for increased strength)
• High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steel: Offering improved strength-to-weight ratios.

Key Characteristics & Bending Notes:

• Good formability, especially mild steel.
• Springback is predictable and managed through our precise process control.
• Requires coating (e.g., painting, powder coating, galvanizing) after bending to prevent rust.
• We select appropriate tooling to minimize surface marks, particularly on Cold Rolled (CR) finishes.

Typical Forms: Sheet, Plate, Tube (Round, Square, Rectangular), Bar (Flat, Round, Square).

Selected for its superior corrosion resistance, durability, clean aesthetic, and hygienic properties, stainless steel is ideal for applications in food service, medical devices, architectural features, and harsh environments.

Common Grades We Process:

• Austenitic: 304/304L (Most versatile), 316/316L (Enhanced corrosion resistance, ideal for marine/chemical environments)
• Ferritic: 430 (Good formability, magnetic)
• (Others available upon request, e.g., Duplex)

Key Characteristics & Bending Notes:

• Higher strength and work-hardening rate than mild steel, requiring more bending force and robust tooling.
• Significant springback must be accurately calculated and compensated for.
• Risk of cracking increases with tighter bend radii; careful design is needed.
• Minimum bend radii are generally larger than for equivalent mild steel thickness.
• Requires careful handling to preserve surface finishes (e.g., 2B, #4 Brushed, Mirror).

Typical Forms: Sheet (various finishes), Plate, Tube, Pipe, Bar.

Valued for its lightweight nature, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and inherent corrosion resistance, aluminum is common in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and consumer products. Bending behavior is highly dependent on the specific alloy and temper.

Common Alloys & Tempers We Process:

• 5052 (-H32, etc.): Excellent formability, ideal for sheet metal chassis, enclosures, and brackets.
• 6061 (-T6, -T4, etc.): Strong structural alloy, widely used but requires larger bend radii and is less formable (especially in -T6 temper) compared to 5052.
• 3003 (-H14, etc.): Very good formability, suitable for general purpose applications.
• (Others available upon request)

Key Characteristics & Bending Notes:

• Lightweight and non-magnetic.
• Lower springback compared to steel.
• Temper is critical! Softer tempers (e.g., -O, -H14) bend more easily than harder tempers (e.g., -T6).
• Higher risk of cracking on sharp bends, particularly with harder alloys/tempers.
• Larger bend radii are often necessary compared to steel.
• Softer surface requires care to avoid tooling marks.

Typical Forms: Sheet, Plate, Tube, Bar, Extrusions.

Copper is renowned for its outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity, used in electrical components and heat exchangers. Brass, a copper-zinc alloy, offers good machinability, corrosion resistance, and a desirable appearance for decorative and plumbing applications.

Common Grades We Process:

• Copper: C110 (ETP – Electrolytic Tough Pitch), C101 (OFHC – Oxygen-Free High Conductivity)
• Brass: C260 (Cartridge Brass – good formability), C360 (Free-Machining Brass – less suitable for severe bends)

Key Characteristics & Bending Notes:

• Generally soft and ductile, allowing for easy bending with relatively low force.
• Excellent formability.
• Minimal springback.
• Work-hardens during the bending process.
• Softness makes them prone to scratches and tooling marks; requires careful handling and specialized tooling where necessary.

Typical Forms: Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, Tube.

Beyond the common materials, our expertise and equipment allow us to handle projects involving specialized metals, often used in demanding high-performance applications.

Examples We Can Process (Contact us for specifics):

• Titanium: (e.g., Grade 2, Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V) – High strength-to-weight, corrosion resistant.
• Nickel Alloys: (e.g., Inconel®, Monel®) – Excellent high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance.
• Bronze: Various alloys.

Key Characteristics & Bending Notes:

• Properties vary significantly. Titanium has high strength and considerable springback. Nickel alloys are tough, requiring high force and specialized techniques.
• Bending these materials often presents unique challenges related to springback, galling, and sometimes temperature requirements.

Typical Forms: Sheet, Plate, Bar, Tube (Availability and forms can vary).

Considerations: Due to the specialized nature of these materials, please contact us directly to discuss your specific project requirements, material grades, and feasibility.