Influence of pitch and cross-sectional ratio of strip of sheet metal on incremental in-plane bending

Incremental in-plane bending which has been invented by authors is a new and flexible manufacturing technology for short production runs in a variety of sizes and shapes. The strip of sheet metal is bent incrementally by an inclined punch beating according to the control program. The prototype incremental bending machine, which has been invented and produced, uses the numerical control technology and bends the strip of sheet metal flexibly. The cross-sectional ratio of width to thickness of sheet metal and the pitch are important for in-plane bending conditions. The bending experiment is carried out and some experimental results such as beating force, bending radius and strain distribution are experimentally examined. The forming properties of in-plane bending are clarified in this study.