Bending Aluminum Channel

Bending aluminum channel can be difficult.

Bending aluminum channel.

To make this easier you d start with your 6061 material in the soft t 0 state. With the right tooling machine machine operator and process however some impressive bends can be read more. Bending aluminum channel into a helix is even more of a challenge. We can bend all types of channel including aluminum stainless and carbon steel.

Hand fabrication using heat. We have the ability to bend channel the easy way against the weak axis and the hard way against the strong axis. Eagle s aluminum channel stock is available in a variety of different sizes lengths and wall thickness. An example callout for standard channel would be c12x20 7.

We can bend channels with the flanges out with the flanges in and the hard way of the web. Their severely asymmetric shape undergoes a large twisting force during bending and the legs try to move toward the central axis. I ve bent a fair amount of 6061 aluminum the trick i was taught was to heat it with oxy act torch. Vintage travel trailer wheel well trim.

Chicago metal is the leading resource for steel and aluminum channel bending and more. Step 1 use just act. Step 3 heat part until black soot goes away. Channel sections asymmetry is the enemy of easy bending which is why channel sections can be so difficult to form see figure 5.

Aluminum channels are an excellent choice for applications that require strength and corrosion resistance. You have now annealed your 6061 t whatever into t 0 and it should bend without cracking. See a list of the most common aluminum channel sizes available at eagle today. The easiest channel bending process is flanges out flanges in channel bending can be difficult if the flanges are relatively tall.

π 180 x b x ir k x mt bend allowance ba where b is the angle complementary to your desired bend angle 1 to 180 degrees mt is the thickness of the material ir is the inside radius and k is the k factor. You d probably air bend by using a 3 0 in. Common aluminum channel sizes. Under extreme conditions it tends to crack.

Die opening with a relieved profile. You can find your bend allowance with the following formula.