When planning to place your order, keep in mind that dimple forming adds 1-3 business days to our normal processing times. Check out our Lead Times page for more information.
Several material properties come into play when adding dimple forming including composition, thickness and elasticity. We currently offer the following materials for dimple forming:
1 thickness: .025"
6 thicknesses: .040" - .125"
4 thicknesses: .040" - .125"
5 thicknesses: .030" - .074"
11 thicknesses: .030" - .119"
6 thicknesses: .030" - .125"
2 thicknesses: .060" - .125"
As with all of our services, parts must meet certain requirements to achieve a successful dimple die.
Minimum part sizes based on the dimple being used:
| Dimple size (A) | Min part size (B) | Min distance to edge from dimple center (C) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.500″ | 1.200″ | 0.600″ |
| 0.750” | 1.450” | 0.725″ |
| 1.000” | 1.950” | 0.975″ |
| 1.250” | 2.450” | 1.225″ |
| 1.500” | 2.700″ | 1.350″ |
| 1.750” | 3.200” | 1.800″ |
| 2.000” | 3.470” | 1.735″ |
| 2.500” | 4.450” | 2.225″ |
| 3.000” | 5.200” | 2.600″ |
Maximum part size (26” x 56”)
Based on the largest part, the dimples in the width direction can be no less than 7” to the edge and no more than 19″ away from the edge, if measuring from the center of the dimple.
Ensure holes are no larger than 4.00″. We’ll automatically resize holes to match the dimple you select.
| Dimple Tool OD (A) | Dimple Major (B) | Dimple size / Minor (C) | Min distance to other features (D) | Min distance dimple center to bend line (E) | Min distance to the same dimple (F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.200″ | 0.850″ | 0.500″ | 0.600″ | 0.600″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 1.200″ |
| 1.450″ | 1.150” | 0.750” | 0.725” | 0.725″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 1.450” |
| 1.950″ | 1.575” | 1.000” | 0.975” | 1.225″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 1.950” |
| 2.450″ | 1.875” | 1.250” | 1.225” | 0.600″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 2.450” |
| 2.700″ | 2.200” | 1.500” | 1.350” | 1.350″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 2.700″ |
| 3.200″ | 2.500” | 1.750” | 1.600” | 1.600″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 3.200” |
| 3.470″ | 2.900” | 2.000” | 1.735” | 1.735″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 3.470” |
| 4.450″ | 3.600″ | 2.500” | 2.225” | 2.225″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 4.450” |
| 5.200″ | 4.375” | 3.000” | 2.600″ | 2.600″ (D) + 1/2 the bend allowance for material thickness & bend angle | 5.200” |
Provide enough space between dimples and bends to prevent interference.
Calculate the minimum distance needed by adding the bend allowance/2 + D (min distance to other features) for the material thickness and dimple size desired.
Then, measure from the center of the dimple to the center of the bend in your design to ensure the dimple is at least the minimum distance away from the bend.
Confirm the bend allowance using our Bending Calculator. Input the material thickness and bend angle to find the correct bend allowance in the Advanced details.
Dimple die forming in sheet metal can occasionally cause the material to bow due to a combination of factors such as material properties, material elasticity, sheet orientation and thickness variations.
The easiest way to combat bowing in your dimple formed parts is to add bending. Adding a bent flange to your dimple formed part introduces a reinforced edge and creates a stiffening effect along the edge helping to prevent the material from flexing or warping.
If you’ll be adding other features such as bending or hole operations you’ll want to make sure your dimple dies are far enough away from your features. Holes that are too close to the dimple die will deform. Depending on the design, material, and proximity of the dimple to the edge, it can also affect the end results of bending, such as a slight bow or flange length variations.
Tooling marks will also be visible on all dimple formed parts. Dimple die parts can be combined with finishing options such as powder coating, plating and anodizing. Tooling marks may show through the finish, especially in plating and anodizing.
If after reading these guidelines you’ve found you need to make some changes to your part design, check out our tutorials for designing and preparing your files in Illustrator, Inkscape, and Fusion 360.
We’re proud to be on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list. Thanks to our amazing customers and rock star team for enabling us to grow this fast. Keep creating!
