Sheet Metal: Understanding K-Factor

Overview

• K-Factor: A crucial bend constant in sheet metal design, used to estimate the amount of metal stretch during bending.
• Does not require the specific material or machine type for bending.
• Essential for designing in SOLIDWORKS.

K-Factor Defined

• K-Factor Calculation: Ratio of sheet metal thickness (T) to neutral axis location (t).
  • Example: For a sheet thickness of 1 mm and neutral axis 0.5 mm, K-Factor = 0.5/1 = 0.5.

SOLIDWORKS and K-Factor

• Design Example: Creating a sheet metal part in SOLIDWORKS.
  • Initial Sketch: 10 mm x 10 mm.
  • Parameters: Thickness = 1.5 mm, Bend Radius = 1.25 mm, K-Factor = 0.3.
  • Calculation of neutral axis placement using K-Factor formula: t = 0.3 * 1.5 = 0.45 mm.*

Bend Allowance Calculation

• Formula: ( BA = \frac{2 \times \pi \times A \times (R + KT)}{360} )
  • Where BA = Bend Allowance, ( A ) = Bend Angle, ( R ) = Bend Radius, ( K ) = K-Factor.
  • Example: For given parameters, BA = 2.67 mm.

Total Length and Stretch

• Total Length Calculation: ( LF = L1 + L2 - R \times 2 + BA )
  • Example: LF = 20.17 mm.
• Stretch Calculation: Total bent length = 21.82 mm, resulting in a stretch of 1.65 mm.

Practical Application

• Material Type: K-Factor varies with material type.
• SOLIDWORKS Tables: Sample tables for materials like steel and aluminum are available for reference.
  • Ensure results are verified by your company.

Final Thoughts

• Tutorial Review: Insightful guide on utilizing K-Factor in SOLIDWORKS.
• Contact for More Information: Reach out to Hawk Ridge Systems for queries on SOLIDWORKS and Sheet Metal design.

Additional Resources

• Hawk Ridge Systems Resource Hub: Offers detailed insights and collaborations from engineering experts.
• Related Topics:
  • Configuring SOLIDWORKS Toolbox
  • 3D Printing Designs
  • Improving SOLIDWORKS Performance

These notes summarize the key concepts of K-Factor in sheet metal design as explained in the Hawk Ridge Systems tutorial.