CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten from VT machining delivers precision Tungsten parts produced to your exact drawing. Press brake forming creates bends and complex profiles with CNC-controlled ram depth and gauging, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Tungsten, which is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance.

CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten at VT machining
CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Press Brake Forming Capability for Tungsten

  • Tonnage matched to material
  • Air, bottom & coining
  • Repeatable bend angles
  • Long-part capability

Tungsten Material Data

Tungsten — typical properties, quoted for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe
Density19.25 g/cm³
Tensile strength750–1500 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)550 MPa
Hardness350–500 HV
Melting point3422 °C
Thermal conductivity173 W/m·K
Thermal expansion4.5 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity31%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)grind / EDM only
Grades we runPure W (99.95%), W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy (17.0–18.5 g/cm³), WC-Co

Published typical values for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Tungsten — what actually causes trouble

Conventional cutting is not on the table for pure tungsten. Features are wire-EDM cut and ground; expect longer lead time than any other metal on the list.

How CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten Works

The Tungsten 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.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
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 radius1.0 × thickness0.8 × thickness
Minimum flange height4 × thickness + radius3 × thickness + radius
Bend-to-bend spacing±0.30 mm±0.15 mm
Sheet thickness range0.5–8.0 mm0.5–4.0 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.

Working with Tungsten

As a material, Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

CNC Press Brake Forming Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Tungsten part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Design Tips for CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Consistent bend radii, adequate flange lengths and grain-direction awareness reduce cracking and springback in formed Tungsten. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Tungsten parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

CNC Press Brake Forming Tolerances & Surface Finish

Formed Tungsten holds bend angles to about ±0.5° and consistent flange dimensions, with bend allowance compensated for the material and thickness.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Applications of CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

Customers order CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Tungsten

Three representative CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten 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.

U-channel

Material
Tungsten
Size
800 mm long, 3 mm thick
Key callouts
Angle ±0.5°, straightness 1 mm over length
Batch
250 pcs

Formed in two hits with a rotating die to avoid marking the outside face.

Hemmed panel edge

Material
Tungsten
Size
400 mm hem, 1.2 mm
Key callouts
Hem flat to 0.3 mm
Batch
1,500 pcs

Hemmed to remove the sharp edge without a secondary deburr operation.

Radiused cover

Material
Tungsten
Size
R150 × 500 mm
Key callouts
Radius ±1 mm, no tool marks
Batch
200 pcs

Bumped in 14 small steps rather than rolled, because the batch does not justify a roll set.

Finishing Options for Tungsten

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
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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.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten

  • 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 Tungsten 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 Press Brake Forming

Other Processes for Tungsten

Send the drawing, the Tungsten grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Press Brake Forming on Tungsten?

Machined Tungsten edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.

Can VT machining make custom Tungsten parts to my drawing?

Yes. Tungsten Tungsten forming is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

Why is Tungsten a good choice for CNC Press Brake Forming?

Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Press Brake Forming. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Tungsten forming part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

What surface finish is achievable on Tungsten with CNC Press Brake Forming?

Surface finish on Tungsten is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.

What tolerances can you hold for CNC Press Brake Forming Tungsten?

Achievable tolerances for Tungsten 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.