K-Factor and Inner Bend Radius Chart
| Plate Thickness | Material | Inner Bend Radius | K-Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| .03 - .125 in | Steel, Stainless, Aluminum | .0775 in | 0.4 |
| .134 - .250 in | Steel, Stainless, Aluminum | .155 in | 0.4 |
| .3125 - .500 in | Steel, Stainless, Aluminum | .250 in | 0.4 |
Common questions
What K-factor should I use in SolidWorks?
0.4 for steel, stainless and aluminum at every thickness on the chart, from 0.03 in to 0.500 in.
What inner bend radius does CalWest use at each thickness?
0.0775 in for 0.03 to 0.125 in plate, 0.155 in for 0.134 to 0.250 in, and 0.250 in for 0.3125 to 0.500 in.
Are these values exact?
The chart gives simplified averages across materials and thicknesses, because heat lot changes would make a precise chart inaccurate. Using them gets your model close, and CalWest refines it in its own software.
What else affects how a bent part turns out?
Keep features away from bends so they do not distort, and leave enough material to keep the part from slipping off the bottom die during bending.
⚠ Important! ⚠
The table above provides simplified average values across materials and thicknesses, as small variations due to material heat lot changes would make precise charting inaccurate. Using these values will get your model close to the expected results, and we can further refine it in our software for precise adjustments. To ensure accuracy, avoid placing features too close to bends to prevent distortion, and make sure there is enough material to keep it from slipping off the bottom die during bending.