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Metal bending: reliable subcontracting for business

For business clients looking for a reliable subcontracting partner in metalworking, metal bending often becomes a key stage in the production chain. If you don’t have your own high-performance CNC presses or specialists, ensuring accuracy, timing, and long-term cooperation is only possible through a well-organized subcontracting system. In this article, Metalo Asai shares a comprehensive overview of the metal bending world – from technologies and materials to quality assurance, logistics solutions, and criteria for evaluating business partnerships.

This article is designed specifically for business clients (B2B) who are not looking for short-term solutions but for a reliable, consistently operating subcontractor for metal part bending. Join the readers who aim to take their metal processing to a professional level.

What is metal bending and subcontracting?

Metal bending is a process in which flat materials (metals) are deformed at angles or curves to achieve the desired geometry without damaging or breaking the material. This process is commonly applied to sheet metal, aluminum, stainless steel, and other materials. A frequent business model in this sector is subcontracting – meaning your company transfers part of the production stage to a trusted partner. This model (“metal parts bending subcontracting”) allows companies to save on investments in machinery, specialists, and maintenance.

In a subcontracting model, the focus is not only on one-time orders but also on long-term partnerships, ensuring the supplier fully understands your technical requirements, production cycles, quality control, and logistics. Business clients care about reliability, stable quality, on-time delivery, clear communication, and transparency in risk management.

This section will explore the key concepts that form the basis for later technical discussions – clarifying what bending means, how subcontracting models work, and what your main criteria should be when choosing a subcontracting partner.

Bending technologies and methods

In this section, we discuss the main metal bending methods most commonly used in subcontracting services:

Hydraulic pressing

A hydraulic press operates through a hydrostatic system that transmits force to the tool (die) via a cylinder. This method is suitable for bending when a constant, high pressure is required. In many Lithuanian companies, such presses are used for bending large constructions that require forces of several hundred tons. For example, the Trumpf Trubend 5085 press provides a bending force of 850 kN and a bending length of up to approximately 2210 mm (depending on thickness). This allows bending of thick metal sheets with high control – though challenges arise with complex angles or non-linear profile bending.

CNC bending / computer-controlled machines

This is the most accurate and dominant method in advanced industries. A CNC press uses commands from CAD/CAM programs, digital trajectories, and automatic corrections (e.g., crowning, compensation). This allows the production of complex and small-scale parts with minimal errors. Such machines are essential when your business requires precise tolerances for parts.

Manual bending / small batches

In certain cases, especially when developing prototypes or small production runs, some bends are performed manually or with simple devices. This method provides flexibility but may be less precise – which is why business clients should ensure their subcontractor has the ability to transition to automated processes when higher precision is required.

Pipe / profile bending

In some constructions, the task involves bending profiles or pipes instead of sheets. This includes roll bending, form bending, or specialized profile bending machines. This capability is important for businesses that use structural tubes or profile components in their product lines. Having such equipment is an additional advantage for any subcontracting partner.

Unique insight: one crucial aspect often missing in competitor articles is the compensation of metal elasticity (spring-back) during the project. Every metal “springs back” slightly after bending, causing the angle to change. Professional CNC control systems feature automatic spring-back compensation, ensuring the final angle matches the desired result precisely. This is what separates top subcontractors from average ones.

Technical equipment and specifications

Every business client seeking to outsource metal bending must understand what equipment and parameters a partner should have to ensure the required quality, performance, and flexibility. This section covers the key technical specifications worth evaluating.

Bending presses: force (tons), stroke, dimensions

The press’s power (in tons or kN) determines the metal thickness it can bend. For example, an 850 kN press (about 85 tons of force) can bend steel sheets up to ~8 mm thick. Additionally, the stroke (movement height) dictates the achievable depth of the bend. Dimensions (length) – the press must have a sufficient bending length (e.g., 2210 mm). For business clients, it’s essential that a subcontracting partner has presses that meet the size requirements of their largest orders.

Dies, molds, and tools

The bending process requires dies and molds to shape contours. More complex forms require specialized or multi-stage tooling. A subcontracting partner should have a die warehouse or the ability to quickly produce the necessary tools (this is where Metalo Asai excels – offering fast tool manufacturing and replacement). Moreover, tool rigidity, coating, and material (steel, alloy) must align with the project’s technical requirements.

Crowning systems and compensation technologies

To prevent excessive pressure in the center of long bends, a crowning system is used – adjusting the table curvature to distribute force evenly. A good subcontracting company uses automatic crowning or adaptive compensation, especially for long bends. Some CNC systems also integrate spring-back compensation, automatically correcting the bending angle based on material properties. This ensures the final angle after elasticity recovery matches the design exactly.

Machine selection based on the task

Not every press fits every task – business clients should know that a capable subcontracting partner owns various machines: different power levels, lengths, and angle adjustment capabilities. For instance, smaller presses for fine parts, large ones for structural elements. It’s also beneficial if there are manual presses for adjustments. Metalo Asai offers this advantage – a versatile range of machines providing flexibility to clients.

Remember, what matters is not only the nominal specifications but how they perform in real production – with minimal defects and consistent tolerance accuracy. Equipment documentation, maintenance, and spare part availability are all crucial factors when choosing a subcontracting partner.