A note on a numerically controlled precision system for sheet metal bending tests

An experimental study to investigate the performance of an innovative numerically controlled precision system developed to evaluate sheet metal mechanical properties when subjected to bending tests is presented. Details of the experimental computerised apparatus connected to data acquisition systems to enable the output of force–deflexion equivalent stress–strain diagrams and to compute the respective elastic and plastic constants at characteristic points upon the stress–strain graphs are presented. The stresses and strains generated by progressive force applied to bend cantilever beams made from rectangular metallic sheets were analysed. The stress–strain on metals when bending sheet specimens are exemplified with sample graphs and the results are discussed.