Requirements for Bending Drawings

Properly prepared drawings help ensure that our fabrication process runs smoothly and that your parts meet all necessary specifications. Below, you'll find specific guidelines for dimensions, material thickness, bending radii, and tolerances. We've also included examples to clarify these requirements. You can download the PDF versions of these examples using the links provided below to see exactly what we need.

  • All part flat-patterns should be dimensioned with overall length and width dimensions for easy identification.
  • Drawings should show material thickness.
  • A profile view of the formed part should be used to dimension forming. Bends should be dimensioned from the apex (virtual sharp) of the bend.
  • Provide clear and unambiguous tolerances for critical dimensions. If no specific tolerances are shown, we will follow our general tolerances. See general tolerance chart below.
  • For complex bends, consider adding notches on the parts to mark the location of the bends.

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Drawings for forming parts should show the bending profile, with dimensions for each leg. It should also include a flat-pattern with the bend radii, direction and angle noted. Bend dimensions for angles less than 90° should be measured from the bend apex or virtual sharp. If bends are over 90°, they should be measured from the bend radius.

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A more complex part with step bending and rolling. Each leg in the step bend is dimensioned from one bend to the next. There is also a radius. Complex bends are marked with small notches at the end of each bend to allow for easier alignment in the press break. Additional views are added to the drawing to show the profile of bends that can't be properly dimensioned in the main views.

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*Sequential bend legs can add up to create unexpectedly large tolerances. Be sure to dimension the part in a way that minimizes tolerance stacks.

Additional Information:

For more detailed instructions, please contact our engineering team.