Metal folding is a crucial process in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and automotive. It involves bending metal sheets to create complex shapes and structures. To achieve accurate folds, it’s essential to understand the material’s thickness and the parameters for different types of metal, such as mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. In this blog, we’ll explore the ideal V sizes, minimum length of fold, and fold allowances for various materials and thicknesses.
Mild steel is known for its versatility and is widely used in a range of applications. To achieve precise metal folds, it’s crucial to know the parameters associated with its thickness.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, boasts corrosion resistance and is commonly chosen for applications where hygiene and durability are of utmost importance. Achieving precise folds in stainless steel requires not only a comprehension of its properties but also an awareness of the unique characteristics that make it resistant to corrosion.
To better appreciate the differences in folding parameters for mild steel and stainless steel, let’s explore a comprehensive table that outlines the ideal V sizes, minimum length of fold, and fold allowances for various thicknesses of both materials:
Material Thickness | Ideal V size | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V (~10%) |
Down 1 V size | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V (~18%) |
Down 2 V sizes | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V (~27%) |
Down 3 V sizes | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V | Fold allowance for Roller V (16mm) | Fold allowance for Roller V (30mm) |
0.5mm | 4mm | 2.8mm | 0.05mm | |||||||||||
0.9mm | 8mm | 5.2mm | 0.09mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.16mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | 0.24mm | |||||
1.2mm | 8mm | 5.2mm | 0.12mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.22mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | 0.32mm | |||||
1.5mm | 12mm | 7.2mm | 0.15mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | 0.27mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.41mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | |||
2.0mm | 16mm | 9.8mm | 0.20mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 0.36mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | 0.54mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.30mm | ||
2.5mm | 24mm | 14.8mm | 0.25mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 0.45mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 0.68mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | |||
3.0mm | 24mm | 14.8mm | 0.30mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 0.54mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 0.81mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | 1.08mm | 0.70mm | 0.75mm |
4.0mm | 40mm | 26.0mm | 0.40mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | 0.72mm | 24.0mm | 14.8mm | 1.08mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 1.44mm | 0.60mm | |
5.0mm | 40mm | 26.0mm | 0.50mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | 0.90mm | 24.0mm | 14.8mm | 1.35mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 1.80mm | 0.82mm | |
6.0mm | 50mm | 31.0mm | 0.60mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | 1.08mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | 1.62mm | 24.0mm | 14.8mm | 0.96mm | ||
8.0mm | 60mm | 36.0mm | 0.80mm | 50.0mm | 31.0mm | 1.44mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | 2.16mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | |||
10.0mm | 80mm | 46.0mm | 1.00mm | 60.0mm | 36.0mm | 1.80mm | 50.0mm | 31.0mm | 2.70mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | |||
12.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 1.20mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 2.16mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | 3.24mm | 60.0mm | 36.0mm | |||
15.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 1.50mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 2.70mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | 4.05mm | |||||
20.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 2.00mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 3.60mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | 5.40mm | |||||
25.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 2.50mm |
Aluminum is a lightweight material that finds its application in various industries. Its folding parameters differ from steel, making it essential to know the specific values. Due to its lightweight nature and excellent corrosion resistance, aluminium is a popular choice for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. Achieving precise folds in aluminium hinges on understanding the material’s unique characteristics, as well as its thermal conductivity and malleability, which differ significantly from those of steel.
To make informed decisions when working with aluminium, it’s crucial to comprehend the ideal V sizes, minimum length of fold, and fold allowances for various thicknesses. Let’s delve into a comprehensive table that outlines these parameters, providing you with a clear reference for your aluminium folding projects:
Material Thickness | Ideal V size | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V | Down 1 V size | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V | Down 2 V sizes | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V | Down 3 V sizes | Min length of fold | Fold allowance for this V | Fold allowance for Roller V (16mm) | Fold allowance for Roller V (30mm) |
0.5mm | 4mm | 2.8mm | 0.05mm | |||||||||||
0.9mm | 8mm | 5.2mm | 0.09mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.16mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | ||||||
1.2mm | 8mm | 5.2mm | 0.12mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 0.22mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | ||||||
1.5mm | 12mm | 7.2mm | 0.15mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | 0.27mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | 4.0mm | 2.8mm | ||||
2.0mm | 16mm | 9.8mm | 0.20mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 0.36mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | 0.54mm | 6.0mm | 3.8mm | |||
2.5mm | 24mm | 14.8mm | 0.25mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 0.45mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | ||||
3.0mm | 24mm | 14.8mm | 0.30mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | 0.54mm | 12.0mm | 7.2mm | 0.81mm | 8.0mm | 5.2mm | |||
4.0mm | 40mm | 26.0mm | 0.40mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | 0.72mm | 24.0mm | 14.8mm | 16.0mm | 9.8mm | ||||
5.0mm | 50mm | 31.0mm | 0.50mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | 0.90mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | 24.0mm | 14.8mm | ||||
6.0mm | 60mm | 36.0mm | 0.60mm | 50.0mm | 31.0mm | 1.08mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | 32.0mm | 20.6mm | ||||
8.0mm | 80mm | 46.0mm | 0.80mm | 60.0mm | 36.0mm | 1.44mm | 50.0mm | 31.0mm | 40.0mm | 26.0mm | ||||
10.0mm | 100mm | 60.0mm | 1.00mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | 1.80mm | 60.0mm | 36.0mm | 50.0mm | 31.0mm | ||||
12.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 1.20mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 2.16mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | 60.0mm | 36.0mm | ||||
15.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 1.50mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 2.70mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | ||||||
20.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 2.00mm | 100.0mm | 60.0mm | 3.60mm | 80.0mm | 46.0mm | ||||||
25.0mm | 124mm | 72.0mm | 2.20mm |
Accurate metal folding is essential for various industries and applications. Understanding the ideal V sizes, minimum length of fold, and fold allowances for materials like mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium is crucial to ensure precision and efficiency in your projects. Whether you’re in manufacturing or construction, this comprehensive guide will help you make informed decisions when working with these materials.
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