What are bend tangent lines?

Bend tangent lines are the locations on a material sheet where the flat portion ends and the bending or the curved section begins. These lines are crucial in the design and manufacturing of bent parts because they dictate how the material transitions between the flat and curved regions during the bending process.

Understanding the position of bend tangent lines is important for several reasons. It assists in accurately calculating the dimensions required for proper fit and tolerance of the finished component in an assembly. Furthermore, knowing these locations helps in determining other factors like the bend radius and the overall geometry of the part, which can influence material strengths and stress distributions.

The other descriptions relate to aspects of the bending process, but do not correctly define what bend tangent lines signify in terms of part fabrications. The endpoints at which the material finishes bending refer to different features that may impact the overall design but are not indicative of the transition point between the flat and bent sections. Understanding this concept is vital for those working with sheet metal and bent components, ensuring that designs are accurate and manufacturable.