CNC Bending Hard Alloys from VT machining delivers precision Hard Alloys parts produced to your exact drawing. CNC bending forms sheet metal to precise angles using a programmed press brake and back-gauge, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Hard Alloys, which is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials.
CNC Bending Capability for Hard Alloys
- Angle accuracy ±0.5°
- Back-gauge positioning
- Bend allowance control
- Multi-bend sequencing
Hard Alloys Material Data
| Density | 14.5 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 2000–3500 (TRS) MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | — |
| Hardness | 88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV |
| Melting point | 2870 (WC) °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70–100 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 10% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | YG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11 |
Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.
How CNC Bending Hard Alloys Works
The Hard Alloys blank is bent or formed against tooling under CNC-controlled ram travel and back-gauge positioning. Bend allowance and springback are compensated in the program so finished angles hit the print.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Bending Hard Alloys
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Bend angle | ±1.0° | ±0.5° |
| Flange length | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Hole-to-bend distance | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Minimum inside radius | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Minimum flange height | 4 × thickness + radius | 3 × thickness + radius |
| Bend-to-bend spacing | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5–8.0 mm | 0.5–4.0 mm |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Hard Alloys parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
CNC Bending Tolerances & Surface Finish
Formed Hard Alloys holds bend angles to about ±0.5° and consistent flange dimensions, with bend allowance compensated for the material and thickness.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
CNC Bending Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Working with Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Design Tips for CNC Bending Hard Alloys
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Consistent bend radii, adequate flange lengths and grain-direction awareness reduce cracking and springback in formed Hard Alloys. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Bending Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Bending Hard Alloys
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Hard Alloys
Three representative CNC Bending Hard Alloys jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Chassis with countersinks
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 450 × 300 × 2 mm
- Key callouts
- Countersink depth ±0.1 mm, 6 bends
- Batch
- 700 pcs
Countersinks formed before bending while the sheet is still flat and supported.
Sheet-metal enclosure
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 300 × 200 × 120 mm
- Key callouts
- Bend angle ±0.5°, diagonal ±0.5 mm
- Batch
- 400 pcs
Bend sequence chosen so no flange collides with the tool on the last hit.
Mounting bracket
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 120 × 60 mm, 2 bends
- Key callouts
- Angle ±0.5°, hole-to-bend ±0.15 mm
- Batch
- 3,000 pcs
Holes placed at least 2.5 × thickness from the bend line so they do not distort.
Finishing Options for Hard Alloys
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Bending Hard Alloys
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Hard Alloys grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Bending
Other Processes for Hard Alloys
Send the drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Bending Hard Alloys?
Achievable tolerances for Hard Alloys forming depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. We hold tight, repeatable tolerances appropriate to the feature and material. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
What surface finish is achievable on Hard Alloys with CNC Bending?
Surface finish on Hard Alloys is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Bending on Hard Alloys?
Machined Hard Alloys edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
Does CNC Bending Hard Alloys require dedicated tooling?
Most Hard Alloys forming work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.