Guys,   I am trying to get a feel for how much pressure would be
required to press  .080 sheet aluminum into a  rectangular form.  For
example a channel 2" wide by 1.5" deep x 18" long.   Is this a project
that could be tackled with a 30 ton shop press?   Jerry

Depends somewhat on what the bend radii, alloy and heat treat are.
Dead soft "O" heat treat .080 thick can be bent with your hand.

Channels are usually no problem in a sheet metal press break
or even in a simple box and pan break.

The problem with a shop press and 18 inches long is you must have a
heavy duty piece of 18 inch long steel pushing down on the top to even
out the force along the 18 inch length. In a sheet metal press
break that steel is about 3/4 inch thick by a foot deep sitting on edge.

You can buy a press break like this about 3 feet long from Harbor
Freight for about $500. Mine works fine.

Compound curves on the other hand must be formed with a leather
hammer over hard wooden blocks or sand bags. Check out the metal forming
work shops at Sun N Fun. Aluminum works hardens so it must be annealed
from time to time with a torch.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

The Rotary Engine NewsLetter. Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://www.rotaryeng.net
Copyright 1998-2007 All world wide rights reserved.