English
Sheet metal folding is a forming technique consisting in the plastic deformation of sheet metal without separation, using a folding press fitted with a die that exerts pressure on the sheet. Under this force, the area on one side of the neutral fibre is compressed (inner area) and that on the other side of the fibre is stretched (outer area). This also produces a slight thinning of the sheet metal at the angle of the fold and this phenomenon is accentuated at the centre of the sheet.
This deformation caused by traction and compression tends to cause a slight elastic recovery effect. It is therefore important to fold to an angle slightly further than the desired angle, to compensate for this elastic recovery phenomenon. Another solution consists in scoring a groove in the area of the sheet metal to be compressed, to ensure that the whole area is subjected to plastic deformation. It is also possible to stretch the sheet to ensure that the whole area exceeds its elastic limit.
We use a variety of dies to give the sheet metal the desired form or angle.
We have two digitally controlled (CNC) hydraulic folding presses with a power of 400 tonnes, enabling us to fold sheet metal up to 6 metres in length. Our extensive range of punches and dies enables us to produce almost any kind of fold on sheet metal up to 25 mm thick.
We can also produce folds 12 metres long with a force of 1500 tonnes.