For my GCSE dt project i have to curve a 1mm thick aluminium sheet into an S-like shape, however when i tried bending it, it just goes back into a flat sheet afterwards, so how would i go about bending it into shape without it going back into sheet form?
some places call them swords, some call them sticks or scrapers, there is not official name for them.
The simplest way to fold 1mm thick ali is to take it to an engineering workshop that has a brake pressMark the sheet of ali into 5mm increments across the sheet where you want the curves to beEither make up a cardboard pattern of the intended curvature required ask the operator to fold it into the shape your afterThe operator of the press brake will know how much force to apply to each increment to get the desired curveAlternatively the ali can be fed through a set of sheet metal rollers to get the desired curvatureHe will then reverse the sheet to get the curve from the other side to form the S shapeIf you require a saturn finish on your project then may I suggest that if the engineers set of rollers are a bit pitted rusty, tape a sheet of fairly thick cardboard to your project to avoid any dents or pit marks on the finished projectAlternatively you could ask the person doing the job to polish up his set of rollers before he attempts your project, that way you won't need to protect your projectCheers!!
