BENDING
CNC Metal Bending and Precision Forming Services
In the workflow of precision sheet metal fabrication, cutting provides the outline, but bending provides the structure and function. Graphie offers advanced CNC press brake bending and sheet metal folding services that transform flat laser-cut blanks into complex, ready-to-assemble 3D components.
Operating from La Pocatière, Quebec, our forming department acts as the critical bridge between our laser cutting operations and our welding and clinching lines. We support OEMs and industrial integrators across Canada and the United States, including U.S. manufacturers seeking nearshoring solutions that reduce lead times while maintaining consistent North American quality standards.
We utilize high-precision press brakes with a capacity of 160 tonnes. This versatile tonnage allows us to cover a wide spectrum of manufacturing needs - from forming intricate, lightweight aluminum components for the transportation sector to bending robust steel mounting brackets for heavy industrial machinery.
Precision Geometry: The Foundation of Assembly
Bending is often the stage where tolerance issues accumulate in metal fabrication. A deviation of just a few degrees or a slight positioning error can make a part impossible to weld robotically or assemble automatically. At Graphie, we treat CNC metal bending as a precision engineering process, not a rough forming operation.
Mastering Tolerances and Repeatability
Our equipment, tooling, and operators are focused on strictly controlling the variables of press brake forming:
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Tight Tolerances: We maintain an angle tolerance of ±1° and a positioning tolerance of ±0.010" per subsequent fold. Holding this level of angular accuracy ensures flanges align correctly during welding and enclosure assembly, significantly reducing rework and manual correction on the production floor.
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Consistent Repetition: CNC-controlled multi-axis backgauges ensure flange length and bend position remain identical from the first part of the batch to the 500th. This repeatability is essential for customers using automated assembly lines or precision welding fixtures.
Metallurgical Expertise and Material Capacities
Bending is not just about force; it is about understanding how materials behave under stress. Each metal exhibits elastic recovery, commonly referred to as springback, which must be accurately compensated during forming.
Graphie’s team applies this metallurgical expertise across core industrial materials:
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Aluminum Forming: Ideal for weight-sensitive applications. We bend aluminum up to 1 inch thick, carefully managing grain direction to prevent cracking on tighter radii.
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Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel: We process these materials up to 1/2 inch thick, compensating for the higher springback associated with high-tensile stainless steels to ensure the final angle matches the engineering specification.
Radius Control: As a general guideline, we maintain a minimum bend radius of 1× material thickness to preserve structural integrity. Our diverse tooling library allows controlled deviation from this rule when tighter radii are technically safe.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Support
One of Graphie’s key value propositions is early involvement in product development. Complex bending sequences can face physical limitations, such as tool collisions or part interference during forming.
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Feasibility Analysis: Our engineering team reviews 3D models to identify collision risks or impractical bend sequences before production begins.
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Optimization: We recommend targeted design adjustments, such as relief cuts or bend deduction refinements, that simplify sheet metal folding, reduce cycle time, and lower production cost without compromising performance.
Integrated Workflow:
From Cut to Fold to Weld
The quality of a bend is directly influenced by the quality of the blank. Because our upstream fiber laser cutting services hold a ±0.001" positioning tolerance, our press brake operators begin with highly accurate parts. This eliminates cumulative stack-up errors commonly seen when cutting and bending are split across multiple suppliers.
Our CNC bending strategy is also aligned with downstream operations such as welding and clinching:
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Weld-Ready Forming: Parts are bent with precise gap control so corners meet perfectly for TIG or laser welding, reducing fit-up time and minimizing filler material.
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Complex Multi-Bends: Advanced backgauging enables complex bending sequences without removing the part from the machine. This capability is essential for electronic housings, control cabinets, and multi-faceted industrial chassis produced in a single setup.
