Sheet Metal Hems

The term hemming has its origins in fabric making where the edge of cloth is folded back on itself and then stitched shut.  In sheet metal hemming means to fold the metal back on itself.  When working with a Brake Press hems are always created in a two step process:

1. Create a bend with Acute Angle Tooling in the metal, 30° is preferable but 45° will work for some circumstances.
2. Place the acute bend under a flattening bar and apply enough pressure to finish closing the bend.

The first step is done the same as any regular acute angle bend.  The second stage of the hemming process requires some additional know how on the part of the Brake Press operator and tool designer because the angle of the sheet metal, the flattening bar wants to slide down and away from the sheet metal.  In addition the work piece wants to slide out from between the bars.  These two forces are known as thrust forces.

This requires that the flattening die be designed to withstand the thrust forces and remain flat.  In addition it requires that the operator put a forward force against the sheet metal to prevent it from sliding out of the die.  These forces are most prominent on thicker work pieces with shorter flanges.  With these factors in mind let’s examine three of the most common forms of hemming set ups and tooling available for press brakes.

Multi Tool Setup, Acute Tooling and Flattening Die

The simplest form of hemming set up is combining two different setups.  The first is an acute setup, where the 30° bend is created using standard tooling.  Once the first bend is made the part is either transferred to another machine, or a new setup is put into the original.  The second setup is a simple flattening bar.  The bend is placed underneath the flattening bar and is closed.  This setup doesn’t require any special tooling and may be preferable for short runs, prototypes or job shops which will need to form a variety of hem lengths.  As individual pieces of Brake Press Tooling the acute tooling and flattening bar are very versatile, and add value outside of hemming.  The draw backs to this system is the obvious requirement of two unique setups, as well there is no thrust control in the flattening process.

Two Stage Hemming Punch and Die Combination

A two stage hemming die works by using a deep channeled die and an acute sword punch.  The first bend uses the channel as a v opening to air form the bend.  In the second stage the punch slides into the channel as the punch is closed and the edge of the punch is used to flatten the sheet metal.  Seating the punch inside the die’s channel redirects the thrust force into the die, which can be more readily secured than the punch itself.  The drawback for this type of die is that it practically requires a CNC control.  Because of the difference in height between the stroke of the first and second stage to adjust manually would be very time consuming.  In addition this type of die can be easily split from over tonnage, reinforcing the need for computer controlled safeties.

Three Stage Hemming Punch And Die

The other most common form of tooling designed specifically for creating hems is a three stage, or accordion type punch and die.  The v opening sits on top of a spring loaded pad, which sits over a bottom pad.  In the first stage the acute bend is created in the v opening after the spring has been compressed and the upper pad is seated on the lower pad.  In the second stage the upper ram is retracted and the springs between the upper and lower pad returns it to its original position.  The sheet metal is then placed between the upper and lower pad and the punch is closed down transferring tonnage through the v die.  Special relief is given to the v die to allow this tool on tool interaction.  The guide between the upper and lower pad prevents the thrust forces from affecting the rest of the tooling.  The lower die also gives the operator something to push the work piece against preventing the sheet metal from sliding out.  This tool is preferred for mechanical, non CNC, brakes because the difference in stroke heights is very small, making adjustment less time consuming.  This set up also allows you to use a standard acute punch.

Tonnage Required For Hemming

The tonnage required for hemming is going to depend on the strength of your material, its thickness and most importantly what type of hem you wish to form.  The tear drop and open hems do not require nearly as much tonnage as a flat hem does.  This is because you are only changing the inside radius minimally, basically you are just continuing the bend past 30°.  When you flatten the metal you are forming a crease and removing the inside radius.  Now you are forming the metal rather than simply bending it.  Below you can see a hemming tonnage chart for cold rolled steel.

Metal Thickness	Open / Tear Drop Hem Tonnage	Finished Height	Closed Hem Tonnage	Finished Height
24 Gauge	15	.118	35	.048
22 Gauge	20	.118	50	.060
20 Gauge	25	.137	60	.072
18 Gauge	26	.137	80	.096
16 Gauge	38	.181	95	.120
14 Gauge	50	.216	130	.150
12 Gauge	90	.255	180	.21
10 Gauge	100	.314	210	.269
8 Gauge	140	.445	280	.329

Uses For Hems

Hems are commonly used to re-enforce, hide imperfections and provide a generally safer edge to handle.  When a design calls for a safe, even edge the added cost of material and processing of a hem is often preferable to other edge treating processes.  Designers should look beyond a single small flat hem to treat edges.  Doubling a hem can create an edge perfectly safe to be handled without almost regard for the initial edge quality.  Adding a hem in the ‘middle’ of a bend profile can open the doors to a variety of profiles not possible without fasteners or welding.  Even without sophisticated seaming machines a combination of two hems can create strong, tight joints with little or minimal fastening.  Hems can even be used to strategically double the thickness of metal in areas of a part which may require extra support.  Hems used in the food service industry should almost always be closed for sanitary purposes (very difficult to clean inside the opening).

Double Hem Edge – Hem And Double Metal Thickness Bend For Support – Using A Hem To Create Advanced Profiles

Determining Flat Patterns Of Hems

The flat pattern of a hem is not calculated in the same fashion as a typical bend.  This is due to the fact that factors such as the Outside Setback and the K-Factor become useless as the apex of the bend moves to infinity.  Attempting to calculate the allowance for a hem like this will just lead to frustration.  Instead a rule of thumb of 43% material thickness is used when calculating the allowance.  For example if our material is .0598” and we want to achieve a 1/2” hem we will take 43% of .0598, .0257 and add that to the 1/2” giving us 0.5257”.  Thus we must leave 0.5257” on the end of the flat pattern to achieve a 1/2” hem.  It should be noted that this rule of thumb is not 100% accurate.  If you are interested in creating a high accuracy hem you should always bend a sample piece, measure and adjust your layouts.  It’s wise to do this for your commonly hemmed materials and create a chart for future reference.  The minimum size or length of a hem is going to b determined by your v opening of your die.  It is going to be wise to check your hem length after bending because the final step of flattening the metal can be a bit un-predictable in terms of how it stretches and flattens.  Using a standard minimum flange length should get you close enough for most applications.  Remembering the Air Bend Force Chart the minimum flange length for an acute tool is: