1. What is Press Brake Tonnage?

Press brake tonnage refers to the amount of force required to bend a specific material to a desired angle. It's crucial for selecting the appropriate press brake machine and tooling for a bending operation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard press brake tonnage formula:

Where:

• \( t \) — Material thickness (inches)
• \( W \) — Die opening width (inches)
• \( L \) — Length of bend (feet)
• 575 — Empirical constant for mild steel

Explanation: The formula accounts for the relationship between material thickness, die width, and bend length to determine required force.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Accurate tonnage calculation ensures proper machine selection, prevents machine overload, and helps achieve quality bends without damaging tooling or material.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter material thickness in inches, die opening width in inches, and bend length in feet. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What material is this calculation for?
A: The formula uses a constant (575) for mild steel. Different materials require adjustment of this factor.

Q2: How does die width affect tonnage?
A: Wider dies require less tonnage, while narrower dies require more tonnage for the same bend.

Q3: What's the safety factor I should use?
A: Typically add 20-30% safety factor to the calculated tonnage to account for material variations.

Q4: How does material hardness affect tonnage?
A: Harder materials require more tonnage. Multiply result by material factor (e.g., 1.5 for stainless steel).

Q5: What about air bending vs. bottom bending?
A: This formula is for air bending. Bottom bending typically requires 3-5 times more tonnage.