Select a preliminary V-die opening from sheet thickness, material type and bending method, then compare available tooling options.
| V/t Ratio | Die Opening | Relative Selection | General Use | Reference Status |
|---|
A common preliminary method for selecting an air-bending V-die is to relate the die opening to the sheet thickness using a V/t ratio.
For many general sheet-metal air-bending applications, a V opening around 6 to 10 times material thickness is a useful preliminary range. The exact choice depends on material, thickness, desired radius, tooling and machine requirements.
Material strength can influence practical die selection. Stronger materials may require additional attention to bending force, springback, tooling capacity and the desired inside radius.
This calculator therefore uses material type and tensile strength as screening inputs rather than treating every sheet material identically.
Die opening and material thickness influence the resulting inside bend radius in air bending, but the actual radius depends on material properties, tooling geometry and forming conditions.
If a specific inside radius is critical, use the tooling manufacturer's bend-radius and V-opening charts rather than relying solely on this estimator.
When an available V-die opening is entered, the calculator compares it with the preliminary recommended range.
An available die within the recommended preliminary range is marked as suitable for further review. A die outside the range is flagged for additional verification rather than automatically classified as unusable.
What does the Press Brake Die Opening Selector calculate?
It provides a preliminary V-die opening recommendation based on sheet thickness, material type, tensile strength and bending method.
What is the V/t ratio?
It is the V-die opening divided by the sheet thickness. It provides a convenient way to compare tooling openings for different material thicknesses.
What V/t ratio is commonly used for air bending?
A V/t ratio in the general range of about 6 to 10 can be a useful preliminary reference, but actual tooling selection depends on the material, thickness, required radius and manufacturer data.
Does stainless steel need a different tooling approach?
It can. Stainless steel often has higher strength and springback characteristics than mild steel, so force, tooling and bend-radius requirements should be checked carefully.
Can I check an existing V-die?
Yes. Enter the available die opening and the calculator will compare its V/t ratio with the preliminary recommended range.
Does the calculator guarantee the correct bend radius?
No. Actual inside radius depends on material, tooling and forming conditions. Use manufacturer tooling data when radius is critical.