metal box 6"Wx4"Dx1"Hx0.025in.forming

[good buddy]

Hi to all,I have been experimenting with cutting and bending brass with 8 inch pan brake.I would like the make the results a bit more accurate and speedy.been thinking perhaps using a 20 ton hydraulic press. looking around the internet,I have little information,I would appreciate anyone responding who has had experience in this matter or who would have a referance where I could read up.Thank to all from, Good Buddy

 

[Charley Davidson]

How many of these are you planning to make? Got a pic of ones you have made?

 

[Rbeckett]

GB,
Is it just a scuare box or does it need to be watertight. Can you weld it or does it have to overlap? Some idea what your building might give someone a better idea of what you might do. I would think 2 u-shaped sections and solder em together, but it depends what the end use is too.
Bob

 

[good buddy]

Hi to all,I have been experimenting with cutting and bending brass with 8 inch pan brake.I would like the make the results a bit more accurate and speedy.been thinking perhaps using a 20 ton hydraulic press. looking around the internet,I have little information,I would appreciate anyone responding who has had experience in this matter or who would have a referance where I could read up.Thank to all from, Good Buddy

The runs will be five to ten at a time.the inside of the box will be divided into 16 sections with brass strips on end a little like an egg carton.the box would be a flat cut out with each corner noched out. the sides would fold up and be soldered on each corner the the interior would be soldered together.the accuracy of the side fold is important to maintain a close tolerance for soldering the brass strip inserts.I have ordered another pan brake with a hold down.but I think something rigid device would assure dimentional repeatability. For instance, If I layout some steel in a rectangular form the outer dimentions of the box and build a platten to push the trimmed cornered sheetmetal into the rectangular form I will have a shearing action rather than a folding action.How would I shape the perimeter rectangular form to fold rather than to shear. As you all know I am a founding member of the miniature brass chicken association we consider ourselves very innovative here at the association and we feel the 16 space brass egg carton is the wave of the future and are developing the prototype box and looking for ideas to streamline the innovation,this prototyping problem is the source for my questions.Best to all,Good Buddy

 

[Tony Wells]

Forming dies are usually radiused and polished to avoid shear during the folding operation. If the thickness is sufficient, and the clearances correct, you should be able to achieve a consistent result. Lube is also essential.

 

[good buddy]

Forming dies are usually radiused and polished to avoid shear during the folding operation. If the thickness is sufficient, and the clearances correct, you should be able to achieve a consistent result. Lube is also essential.

Thanks for the reply,if I understand what you are saying,move the perimeter cutters out or in this case reduce the size of the platten,lubricate and press then the unit will bend and not shear. Thanks for your insight.Best Wishes from,Good Buddy

 

[Tony Wells]

Well, now you mentioned cutters. You don't normally cut and draw/form at the same die station. If you have this blanked out, with the corners notched, then yes, radius the top edges of the "platten" generously, like 0.250, and polish them very, very smooth. The punch then will also need small radii on its corners to keep from grabbing and tearing. Smaller though, along the lines of a little more than the thickness of the material. It's tough, if not impossible, to fold a truly sharp corner inside. You aren't trying to also have "ears" to lap solder on the corners, are you? If so, this method won't work, and you're back to the box brake.

 

[good buddy]

Forming dies are usually radiused and polished to avoid shear d,uring the folding operation. If the thickness is sufficient, and the clearances correct, you should be able to achieve a consistent result. Lube is also essential.

Thanks for the additional detailed information.These blanks will be precut,so yes you are correct.Things happen slowly around here and I am doing a revamp of my work benches,during breaks, which are many at my age, is when I work on refining these solutions.I appreciate your reply and suggestions,I find them quite helpful,Best Regards,Good Buddy.

 

[Tom Griffin]

If you aren't familiar with die making practices, a press brake would be the way to go. They are quite easy to make for use in a press and if you include stops, they are very repeatable. You would bend the long sides of the box first then cut slots in the punch to clear the bent up sides then bend up the ends.

Tom

 

[good buddy]

If you aren't familiar with die making practices, a press brake would be the way to go. They are quite easy to make for use in a press and if you include stops, they are very repeatable. You would bend the long sides of the box first then cut slots in the punch to clear the bent up sides then bend up the ends. Tom /QUOTE] Thanks for your suggestion,I do have a small pan type press brake and have ordered a slightly upgraded model with hold downs.I guess the problem is my poor tolerance control and trying to solve the problem by setting all measurements,as a one shot,via a four sided die.Your suggestion is good however at the moment I am going with the perimeter die and platten idea.Thanks for your suggestion and when the new pan brake arrives I will revisit your idea idea as well.For the moment I would like to look further into the perimeter platten idea since,ultimately it will reduce the number of measure and cut processes,I have been offered many good suggestions from the membership in this area as well.Thanks for your suggestions and best wishes,Good Buddy