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Consult ",[532,566,534],{"href":78}," for precise distortion zone measurements.",[528,569,570],{},"If a feature must be close to a bend, consider adding relief cuts or adjusting the design to accommodate potential distortion.",[513,572,573],{},"This part is made from 0.125\" Thick 5052-H32 Aluminum which calls out for a distortion zone of 0.4\". This distortion is measured from the bend line in the direction of the feature. In this case you can see that the hole is outside of this 0.4\" zone meaning it will not be deformed by the bend. Non critical features can enter this zone slightly, just be aware that they will be deformed by the bending process relative to how close they are to the bend.",[513,575,576],{},[545,577],{"alt":578,"src":579,"style":549},"Feature too close to bend","\u002Fblog\u002Fchecks-before-ordering\u002Fchecks-before-ordering-2.webp",[517,581,583],{"id":582},"tolerance-considerations","Tolerance Considerations",[513,585,586],{},"Accumulated tolerances across multiple bends can lead to significant deviations in final part dimensions.",[525,588,589,592,595],{},[528,590,591],{},"Be aware that each bend introduces some dimensional variability. Fabworks maintains tight tolerances (+\u002F- 0.015\" for length and +\u002F- 1 degree for angles) per bend, but these can add up in complex parts.",[528,593,594],{},"For parts with multiple bends, consider designing with slightly looser tolerances where possible to accommodate potential variations.",[528,596,597],{},"If precise alignment is critical, consider incorporating adjustment features or slots instead of relying solely on bend accuracy.",[513,599,600,601,605],{},"Below is a representation of how tolerance stackup can change the shape of a part. ",[602,603,604],"strong",{},"The tolerance has been scaled up to 10x its actual value for visualization purposes."," The main thing to notice is how after each subsequent bent the part gets further and further from its expected shape. Sheet metal, particularly thinner gauges and larger parts, possess a degree of elastic deformability. This property can sometimes be advantageous in achieving proper fitment, especially when dealing with minor dimensional discrepancies. However, it's important to note that relying on this flexibility should not be used in precision parts, and flexibility should be modeled into the part.",[513,607,608],{},[545,609],{"alt":610,"src":611,"style":549,"width":612},"tolerance demo","\u002Fblog\u002Fchecks-before-ordering\u002Fchecks-before-ordering-3.webp","75%",[517,614,616],{"id":615},"correctly-modeled-bend-radius","Correctly Modeled Bend Radius",[513,618,619],{},"Using the wrong bend radius in your CAD model can result in unexpected part dimensions after bending.",[525,621,622,625,628],{},[528,623,624],{},"Ensure all bends in your model use Fabworks' standard bend radii.",[528,626,627],{},"Double-check that this radius is consistent across all bends in your part.",[528,629,630],{},"Remember the actual produced part may have slight variations due to material properties and tooling.",[632,633,634],"note",{},[513,635,636],{},"If bend radius is incorrectly modeled the dimensionality of the part will still match the model, but the difference in bend radius could cause interference in assembly.",[517,638,640],{"id":639},"reverse-bend-ratio","Reverse Bend Ratio",[513,642,643],{},"Reverse bends (two bends in opposite directions close together) require careful consideration to avoid material failure or tooling issues.",[525,645,646,649,660],{},[528,647,648],{},"Review any areas with closely spaced opposing bends.",[528,650,651,652],{},"Ensure these sections meet Fabworks' minimum ratio guidelines:\n",[525,653,654,657],{},[528,655,656],{},"For small reverse bends (\u003C 3\" long): Maintain a 3:1:1 ratio",[528,658,659],{},"For larger reverse bends (> 3\" long): Maintain a 4:2:1 ratio",[528,661,662,663],{},"If your design doesn't meet these ratios, consider adjusting the part geometry or splitting it into separate components. For methods of joining those two pieces back together check out our ",[532,664,665],{"href":367},"blog post on joining techniques.",[513,667,668],{},[545,669],{"alt":670,"src":671,"style":549},"Ubends","\u002Fubend.webp",[517,673,675],{"id":674},"material-thickness","Material Thickness",[513,677,678,679],{},"Incorrect material thickness in your model can lead to unexpected results, especially in bent areas. For a list of all available materials, thicknesses, and thickness tolerances refer to the materials section of the ",[532,680,681],{"href":95},"Fabworks Resources",[525,683,684,687,690],{},[528,685,686],{},"Verify that your CAD model uses the exact thickness of the material you're ordering.",[528,688,689],{},"Pay special attention if you've modified a pre-existing design, as it's easy to overlook thickness changes.",[528,691,692],{},"Remember that nominal thicknesses (e.g., 1\u002F16\") may not match exact decimal values (0.0625\"). Use precise measurements in your model.",[694,695,696],"warning",{},[513,697,698],{},"If material thickness is not modeled accurately there is no guarantee on which side of the material that thickness difference ends up. While in most cases this difference is minor, in special cases this could lead to fitment issues in the final assembly.",[517,700,702],{"id":701},"avoid-modeling-certain-features","Avoid Modeling Certain Features",[513,704,705],{},"Some features should not be modeled in your CAD file, as they're better specified during the quoting process. Modeling these features can lead to errors with the file upload.",[525,707,708,711,714],{},[528,709,710],{},"Do not model countersinks, or threads in your STEP file.",[528,712,713],{},"Instead, export a clean model and specify these features when configuring your quote in Fabworks.",[528,715,716],{},"This approach ensures proper sizing and application of these features during manufacturing.",[513,718,719],{},"Additionally if you plan on counterboring, or adding other partial-depth features to your parts after receiving your order, do not include them in the model you send in, as it will error out in the file upload.",[694,721,722],{},[513,723,724],{},"If you are experiencing file upload issues please reach out to Fabworks support.",[513,726,727],{},[545,728],{"alt":729,"src":730,"style":549,"className":731},"issue caused by countersink","\u002Fblog\u002Fchecks-before-ordering\u002Fchecks-before-ordering-4.webp",[732,733],"max-w-md","w-full",[517,735,737],{"id":736},"final-thoughts","Final Thoughts",[513,739,740],{},"By carefully reviewing your designs with these points in mind, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of manufacturing issues and ensure your parts meet your expectations. If you're unsure about any aspect of your design, don't hesitate to reach out to Fabworks' support team. They can provide guidance and help you optimize your parts for successful production.",[513,742,743],{},"Remember, a little extra time spent on design review can save considerable time and resources in the long run, resulting in higher quality parts and more efficient production.",{"title":745,"searchDepth":746,"depth":746,"links":747},"",2,[748,749,750,751,752,753,754,755],{"id":519,"depth":746,"text":520},{"id":552,"depth":746,"text":553},{"id":582,"depth":746,"text":583},{"id":615,"depth":746,"text":616},{"id":639,"depth":746,"text":640},{"id":674,"depth":746,"text":675},{"id":701,"depth":746,"text":702},{"id":736,"depth":746,"text":737},[757,758],"Design","Ordering","2024-08-29","Optimize sheet metal designs with our pre-order checklist. Catch common errors and ensure manufacturability before submitting to Fabworks' laser cutting service.","md","\u002Fblog\u002Fchecks-before-ordering\u002Fthumbnail.webp",{},true,{"title":314,"description":760},{"loc":315},"miCRgVROlDbupMYJpzXRuGPXlLZHxIt-veX2Q3S0Tz0",[769,771],{"title":366,"path":367,"stem":368,"description":770,"children":-1},"Explore essential sheet metal joining techniques, from welding to adhesive bonding, to create durable and efficient parts for any project.",{"title":394,"path":395,"stem":396,"description":772,"children":-1},"Discover effective strategies to prevent rust on laser cut metal parts, from material selection and protective coatings to design tips and post-production care.",1778689591957]