Bend Restrictions?

[jb232]

I am designing a part which is more or less tubular, with major cut-outs. I tried to model the part as a 3D shape but the cost is over my budget. One possible approach is to cut sheet stock and then to wrap it into a cylinder shape. The software suggests that this is in my budget, so I'm interested - but ...

Question 1:

Well, here is a simple part that illustrates my concern. It has several almost-parallel bends that will wrap a sheet into a rough cylinder (actually a spiral in this case). Can the bend machine do more than 180 degrees cumulatively, as this is? What is its limit?

Question 2:

Another possible way to make this is by real 3D machining, starting from a standard 2" tube. Should I expect this use of pre-shaped stock to have a big effect on cost, or a minor one? Are there any examples you could add to your page as specific cases? I don't want to go draw all the intricacies of my part just to see that I am way out of my budget ... Does this make sense? I can only imagine that this is a common issue for potential customers ...

Thanks! jb

[Tech3]

The bent part you designed impractical. Please see Pre-shaped stock.

[jb232]

Thank you for the feedback. Is there a 180 degree total restriction on bends? For example, can this piece be made? note that it has 200 degrees of bend.

jb

[Tech2]

That design is about the limit using common tooling.