Metal Forming
Hello,
I would like to start making brackets and other metal items. Would anyone have any links or books on metal forming and the tools needed? I would like to know how how they form complex forms like. http://www.tech-etch.com/shield/boardlevelshield.html Also how would you determine the gage of metal needed? Right now I am looking at a 3 in one tool, which can do 16GA. Would a tool like this be the most useful? I have seen a brake which can do a thicker gage but they seem to really jump in price and weigh just as much. What can I use if I have a thicker gage? The metal I would like to work with are for robotics and just general purpose brackets. Thanks, |
Metal Forming
On Sun, 25 May 2008 21:16:18 -0700, Rob wrote:
Hello, I would like to start making brackets and other metal items. Would anyone have any links or books on metal forming and the tools needed? I would like to know how how they form complex forms like. http://www.tech-etch.com/shield/boardlevelshield.html Also how would you determine the gage of metal needed? Right now I am looking at a 3 in one tool, which can do 16GA. Would a tool like this be the most useful? I have seen a brake which can do a thicker gage but they seem to really jump in price and weigh just as much. What can I use if I have a thicker gage? The metal I would like to work with are for robotics and just general purpose brackets. Thanks, Those parts are made from photo-etched blanks and then bent on a much more refined instrument than a 3 in 1 tool. A 3 in 1 tool _may_ get you what you want, but in my (admittedly limited) experience I can get far better control over the bend angle with a box break than with the 'V' bender in a 3 in 1 tool. I don't know where you'd get a decent box break for less money than a good used car - this is just as well, because I don't have room for one right now. -- Tim Wescott Control systems and communications consulting http://www.wescottdesign.com Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system? "Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott Elsevier/Newnes, http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html |
Metal Forming
On May 26, 12:16*am, Rob wrote:
Hello, I would like to start making brackets and other metal items. Would anyone have any links or books on metal forming and the tools needed? *I would like to know how *how they form complex forms like.http://www.tech-etch.com/shield/boardlevelshield.html Also how would you determine the gage of metal needed? Right now I am looking at a 3 in one tool, which can do 16GA. *Would a tool like this be the most useful? *I have seen a brake which can do a thicker gage but they seem to really jump in price and weigh just as much. *What can I use if I have a thicker gage? The metal I would like to work with are for robotics and just general purpose brackets. Thanks, The 3-in-1 machines are barely capable of working at their advertised limits. 0.050" thick 5052 Aluminum is a reasonable maximum for them. If I really need thicker metal I build it up from extruded angle and flat sheet. I've built a lot of electronic housings with a 3-in-1, a corner notcher, a drill press, a bandsaw and a belt sander. A good, squared- up belt sander will clean up hacksawed ends so you can put off buying the bandsaw. If you need mechanically strong frames to support power transmission I suggest welded angle iron or square tubing instead. Steel and aluminum frames of equal strength and stiffness weigh about the same and steel holds threaded fasteners much better. Jim Wilkins |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:22 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter