We are often asked what K-Factor is needed to achieve the correct measurements in the unfolded model. Unfortunately, no answer applies to all cases, as the value varies depending on the material and the tool you use for bending. However, we do have one trick up our sleeve.
BendWorks have a piece of software, specially designed to calculate your K-Factor. Through reverse engineering, the software can calculate the K-Factor very accurately.
After having installed and launched the program, go to the menu and select “Tools > Reverse Engineering K-Factor”.
BendWorks K-Factor Calculator
The process is as follows:
- Cut a piece of sheet material of approx. 100 mm. and thereafter measure the exact length (f.ex. 100,56 mm).
- Bend the piece in 90 degrees and measure the total length and width.
- Enter the values of the pre-bent length, sheet thickness, bend angle and radius as well as total length and depth after bending.
- Click “Calculate” and the software will calculate the K-Factor you should work with
If you execute these steps on all thicknesses of materials you use, creating a bend table with all applicable information and importing it into SOLIDWORKS is very useful.
In the SOLIDWORKS help pane, you can see how to import a bend table (just search “Bend Table”).
To verify the BendWorks calculations, you can perform the steps in reverse. Model a sheet bent to 90-degrees with the same thickness, bend radius and angle as well as total length and width. Unfold the model in SOLIDWORKS and measure the length.
The unfolded measurement should be equal to the sheet that you cut initially (in my case 100,56 mm.).
You can download BendWorks here (OBS! The software is no longer updated or supported – but it definitely still works!)
Want to learn more about K-Factor calculation?
Please reach out to our support or download our k-factor guide here.
