D of Bend
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What is D of bend?
Tube fabricators sometimes indicate the centerline radius using D of bend.
We say it by speaking three words: "D of bend".
Some tube fabricators also say "D factor" to mean the same thing.
It is a ratio calculated like this: D of bend = Centerline Radius / OD
How Is It Used?
FOR FABRICATORS
- The D of bend value helps fabricators know if the radius is tight or large compared to the OD.
- It serves as a general guide for how difficult it will be to create a quality bend.
- It helps fabricators know what kind of tooling will be necessary to achieve the bend. It is useful, therefore, in building quotations for customers.
- It is common for fabricators to share the lower limit of their D of bend capabilities with customers.
FOR DESIGNERS
- It is helpful to designers as a limit for what is practical in choosing radii.
Examples
In most applications, a lower D of bend valued radii is less complex and therefore less expensive.
- D of bend = 2.00 or greater is generally considered not difficult. (Other factors, like wall factor, impact what is difficult. Wall factor = OD / Wall Thickness)
- D of bend = 1.50 is moderately difficult.
- D of bend = 1.00 is difficult.
- D of bend = 0.75 is very difficult and much more expensive.
D of bend values at 1 and below are possible - but are rare and require special benders that can press material into the bender's dies. (Most call this "carriage boost".)
