Society of Robots - Robot Forum
Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: S. Karim on June 13, 2008, 05:22:29 PM
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Okay I have no knowledge on bending metal except that something called brakes do it? I need to bend thin sheet metal after being cut into shapes into 90 degrees (and rarely others).
What should I buy to get nice sharp bends?
Also, this problem keeps playing through my mind...imagine a large plus + shape, when all four sides are bent will create a box without a top of course. When folding the first side, all is well. When folding the second, third or fourth...the other sides that have already been bent bump into the machine. Can anyone imagine what Im saying? How would I prevent that?
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For simple 90deg bends with sheet metal, you can just use a vice and a piece of 2x4.
In the Navy we had specialized bending machines that could be adjusted to not only handle different angles for the bend, but also had adjustable "teeth" so that only as much of the metal that was going to be bent was actually held in the device. This allowed us to turn crosses into boxes because the already bent up sides never would hit the holding clamp (aforementioned "teeth").
Not sure what any of that was called from a technical standpoint (I'm sure it all has names), they were just the metal bender machines (I miss that shop...)
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For simple 90deg bends with sheet metal, you can just use a vice and a piece of 2x4.
In the Navy we had specialized bending machines that could be adjusted to not only handle different angles for the bend, but also had adjustable "teeth" so that only as much of the metal that was going to be bent was actually held in the device. This allowed us to turn crosses into boxes because the already bent up sides never would hit the holding clamp (aforementioned "teeth").
Not sure what any of that was called from a technical standpoint (I'm sure it all has names), they were just the metal bender machines (I miss that shop...)
Yeah you know exactly what Im talking about. Ive seen some video where people removed "teeth" in order to let already bent up sides to go through the device so they didnt bump into it.
Just not sure where can I buy a small one for all purposes.
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K, I think it might be called a box and pan brake? Heres a video, scroll down and start watching from 1:05 to 1:25, it shows the guy forming a box shape where pre-bent flaps go right through the removable "fingers".
http://www.bii1.com/brakes.htm
Just need one...real small. And lightweight and cheap?
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Found this on Ebay. Still over $200, but it has adjustable fingers
http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Sheet-Metal-Brake-bench-mount-steel-bender-new_W0QQitemZ140240420917QQihZ004QQcategoryZ633QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Get creative and just use different pieces of wood... Of course, if precision is truly a necessity, do what you feel is necessary.
I've done a fair bit of crude metal bending for FIRST robotics back in high school... it's fun :)
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Get creative and just use different pieces of wood...
And how would that be done for bending a plus into a box? It'll come out really nasty...attempting to clamp onto already bend sides and then attempting to bend another flap hanging in the air? Id rather not.
I just have a feeling theres smaller tools for smaller robot parts for box bending.