What equipment is typically used to create a straight bend with a 12" radius?

A slip roll former is specifically designed for creating curves or bends in sheet metal, making it ideal for forming materials into rounded shapes, such as a straight bend with a 12" radius. This tool operates by passing the material through a series of rollers that exert pressure, allowing for precise and uniform bending of the metal.

The slip roll former's ability to manipulate the metal along a radius allows for smooth and consistent results while maintaining the integrity of the sheet metal. It is particularly useful for applications that require specific curvature rather than sharp angles, which is essential in aircraft metal structuring where certain design specifications must be adhered to.

In contrast, a punch press is used primarily for cutting and stamping metal but not for bending or forming in the same radius-centric manner. A hydraulic shear is designed for cutting metal sheets cleanly and does not perform bending operations. A bending brake, while useful for creating bends, typically does not accommodate large-radius bends as effectively as a slip roll former, which is built for that purpose.