If your bent part requires an odd flange shape, we can bend it if you create a flat reference point or “break-off tab” with an edge that is parallel to the bend line.
Learn how to set up your design for successful bending with an irregular flange shape!
Create sufficient breakoff tab length
- We’ll need your breakoff tab to be a sufficient length relative to your part’s overall flat length. Please note, we may request a longer tab if needed for a successful bend, depending on your design’s geometry.
- 0-5 inch part: 0.500″ minimum breakoff tab
- 5-10 inch part: 1.000″ minimum breakoff tab
- 10+ inches: 1.500″ minimum breakoff tab
Add enough connecting bridges
- Please create a minimum of 2 connecting bridges from your part to the breakoff tab
- Longer flanges will benefit from more bridges. We recommend the following:
- 0-10 inch flange: minimum of 2 connecting bridges
- For every additional 10 inches, add at least one more bridge
Make bridges wide enough
- Ensure the connecting bridges are at least 0.040” wide or the minimum bridge width for the material; whichever is larger. If bridges are too thin, they may break during the bend operation.
- When determining bridge width, keep in mind that you’ll need to remove the breakoff tabs when your parts get to you.
- For materials 0.080” or thicker, we recommend that bridges are no wider than 50% of the material thickness.
Keep bridges outside of die lines
- The breakoff tabs’ connecting bridges must not fall within the die lines. Tabs are vulnerable to breakage if the connecting bridges are within the die area.
Add breakoff tabs to exterior of part
- We need break-off tabs added to the exterior of parts since we are unable to use tabs placed on the interior of a part. Learn more about our window bend requirements.
Keep tabs on those odd flanges!
Odd flanges can certainly make your parts stand out, so follow our advice here to ensure we can bend them! Review our full bending guidelines before uploading your part file to our website for an instant quote. If you have questions, ask our Support team anytime!
