mcurcio1989
Well-Known Member
I have made 8 1/8" thick T6 brackets per the drawing l (linked) - the angle is actually 20° not 7, that is a typo. I know these have been produced before. These brackets connect the spars to the struts. It is an ultralights style wing with ladder construction.
I have a 6 ton press that I have been playing around with for forming these bends. I bought some 1/8" x 1" bar stock and also made some extra pieces to try it out on first. I used a plate with a 1/2" dia bar welded on the end to give the .25" radius. Then I used a drill press vice along with some blocks to set up the female end. My problem is that the outer radius does not appear to have a smooth bend it looks like it has cracks beginning to form. There are no actual cracks but it look sort of wrinkled. I don't know else to put it but I think you get the point.
I have heard of people heating t6 to remove the hardening and make it easier to bend in non-critical applications but that does not seam to be an option here.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
I have a 6 ton press that I have been playing around with for forming these bends. I bought some 1/8" x 1" bar stock and also made some extra pieces to try it out on first. I used a plate with a 1/2" dia bar welded on the end to give the .25" radius. Then I used a drill press vice along with some blocks to set up the female end. My problem is that the outer radius does not appear to have a smooth bend it looks like it has cracks beginning to form. There are no actual cracks but it look sort of wrinkled. I don't know else to put it but I think you get the point.
I have heard of people heating t6 to remove the hardening and make it easier to bend in non-critical applications but that does not seam to be an option here.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
