How CNC Bending Is Priced
CNC bending (also called press brake forming) pricing in Vietnam is typically quoted per bend — that is, per individual fold operation on a single part. A simple L-bracket with one bend costs one unit; a U-channel with two bends costs two units; a four-sided box costs four units.
However, “per bend” is only the starting point. The actual cost per bend varies significantly based on material type, thickness, bend length, complexity, and quantity. This guide breaks down all the factors so you can estimate costs accurately before requesting a formal quote.
Reference Pricing by Material and Thickness
The following tables show typical per-bend pricing for standard 90-degree bends on common materials. These are reference prices for quantities of 50-200 pieces with standard tolerances (+/- 0.5 degrees, +/- 0.3mm).
Mild Steel (SS400 / SPCC)
| Thickness | Price per Bend (VND) | Max Bend Length |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8mm | 1,500 - 2,500 | 4,000mm |
| 1.0mm | 1,500 - 3,000 | 4,000mm |
| 1.5mm | 2,000 - 3,500 | 4,000mm |
| 2.0mm | 2,500 - 4,500 | 4,000mm |
| 3.0mm | 4,000 - 7,000 | 3,200mm |
| 4.0mm | 6,000 - 10,000 | 3,000mm |
| 5.0mm | 8,000 - 14,000 | 2,500mm |
| 6.0mm | 12,000 - 20,000 | 2,000mm |
| 8.0mm | 18,000 - 30,000 | 1,500mm |
| 10.0mm | 30,000 - 50,000 | 1,200mm |
Galvanized Steel (SGCC / SECC)
| Thickness | Price per Bend (VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5mm | 1,200 - 2,000 | Thin — risk of cracking at tight radii |
| 0.8mm | 1,500 - 2,500 | Standard enclosure thickness |
| 1.0mm | 2,000 - 3,000 | Common for panels |
| 1.2mm | 2,500 - 4,000 | Standard for enclosures |
| 1.5mm | 3,000 - 5,000 | Heavy-duty enclosures |
| 2.0mm | 4,000 - 7,000 | Maximum common galvanized thickness |
Stainless Steel (SUS304)
| Thickness | Price per Bend (VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8mm | 2,500 - 4,000 | Higher springback requires compensation |
| 1.0mm | 3,000 - 5,000 | Common for kitchen/food equipment |
| 1.5mm | 4,000 - 7,000 | Standard fabrication thickness |
| 2.0mm | 6,000 - 10,000 | Enclosures, structural |
| 3.0mm | 10,000 - 16,000 | Heavy structural parts |
| 4.0mm | 15,000 - 25,000 | Requires high tonnage |
| 5.0mm | 22,000 - 38,000 | Maximum common stainless bending |
Aluminum (A5052 / A6061)
| Thickness | Price per Bend (VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0mm | 2,000 - 3,500 | Easy to bend, low springback |
| 1.5mm | 2,500 - 4,500 | Excellent formability (5052) |
| 2.0mm | 3,500 - 6,000 | Standard aluminum fabrication |
| 3.0mm | 5,500 - 9,000 | 6061-T6 may crack — anneal first |
| 4.0mm | 8,000 - 13,000 | Use 5052 for best results |
| 5.0mm | 12,000 - 20,000 | Requires careful radius selection |
All prices are reference only and assume standard 90-degree bends with V-die tooling. Actual pricing depends on your specific part geometry.
7 Factors That Affect Bending Price
1. Material Type and Grade
Stainless steel costs more to bend than mild steel because:
- Higher springback requires test bends and angle compensation programming
- Greater tooling wear (stainless is harder and more abrasive)
- Slower bending speed to prevent surface marking
- Potential need for protective film to avoid scratches
Cost impact: Stainless bending costs 40-70% more than mild steel at the same thickness.
2. Material Thickness
Thicker material requires more tonnage (pressing force), which means:
- Larger V-die opening (longer setup time)
- Slower ram speed to maintain accuracy
- Greater risk of cracking on the outer surface
- Higher tooling wear
As a rule of thumb, bending cost roughly doubles for every doubling of thickness.
3. Bend Length
A 3,000mm long bend uses more machine capacity (tonnage per meter) and takes longer to position than a 300mm bend. Long bends also require:
- Full-length tooling setup (segmented dies must be assembled)
- Two operators for material handling
- Slower approach speed for uniformity across the full length
Cost impact: Bends longer than 2,000mm typically carry a 20-50% surcharge.
4. Number of Bends per Part
Parts with many bends require more handling — the operator must reposition the part between each bend. Complex parts with 6+ bends per piece also require careful bend sequencing to avoid collisions between the part and the machine frame.
Volume discount: The first bend on a part costs the most (includes pickup, positioning, first bend). Each additional bend on the same part is cheaper because the part is already in the operator’s hands.
| Bends per Part | Relative Cost per Bend |
|---|---|
| 1 bend | 100% (base rate) |
| 2 bends | 85-90% each |
| 3-4 bends | 75-85% each |
| 5-8 bends | 65-80% each |
| 9+ bends | 60-75% each |
5. Tolerance Requirements
Standard CNC bending achieves +/- 0.5 degrees and +/- 0.3mm dimensional accuracy. Tighter tolerances require:
- Test bends with measurement and compensation
- Slower bending speed
- Laser angle measurement systems
- More frequent quality checks during production
Cost impact: Tolerances tighter than +/- 0.3 degrees add 20-40% to bending cost.
6. Special Tooling
Non-standard bends may require special punch or die tooling:
| Bend Type | Tooling | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Standard V-bend (90°) | Stock tooling | Base rate |
| Acute angle (under 90 degrees) | Acute punch | +10-20% |
| Obtuse angle (over 90 degrees) | Standard (adjust stroke) | Base rate |
| Hemming (180° fold) | Hemming die + 2 operations | +80-120% |
| Z-bend (offset) | Offset die or 2 operations | +50-80% |
| Radius bend (large R) | Radius punch or multi-step | +30-60% |
| Channel/hat section | Gooseneck punch | +10-20% |
7. Order Quantity
Like all manufacturing processes, bending has a fixed setup cost per unique part (programming, tooling selection, first-piece inspection) that gets amortized across the batch. Larger quantities mean lower per-piece cost.
| Quantity | Relative Price per Piece |
|---|---|
| 1-5 pcs (prototype) | 100% (base) |
| 10-50 pcs | 70-80% |
| 50-200 pcs | 55-70% |
| 200-500 pcs | 45-60% |
| 500+ pcs | 35-50% |
How to Reduce Your Bending Costs
Here are practical design and ordering strategies to minimize CNC bending expenses:
Design Optimization
- Minimize the number of bends — Can a U-channel (2 bends) replace a C-channel (3 bends) for your application?
- Use standard bend angles — 90 degrees is fastest and cheapest. Avoid odd angles like 87.5 degrees unless functionally necessary.
- Maintain minimum flange length — The minimum flange (the short side of a bend) should be at least 4x the material thickness plus the bend radius. Shorter flanges require special tooling.
- Avoid hemming when possible — A hemmed edge (180-degree fold) requires two operations. Consider a rolled edge or a simple 90-degree flange instead.
- Keep bend lines parallel — Bends at different angles on the same part require the operator to rotate the part, adding time.
- Design for standard V-die openings — The standard V-die opening is 6-8x the material thickness. Designing within this range avoids special tooling.
Ordering Strategy
- Batch similar parts together — If you have 5 different parts that all use 1.5mm SGCC, order them together. The machine stays set up for that material/thickness combination.
- Order in economical quantities — The sweet spot is typically 50-200 pieces per part number. Below 50, setup cost dominates. Above 200, savings flatten out.
- Combine with laser cutting — If we also laser cut your blanks, the combined order often qualifies for a package discount since material handling is more efficient.
- Provide complete, clear drawings — Ambiguous drawings cause back-and-forth communication, trial bends, and wasted material. Specify all dimensions, angles, tolerances, and grain direction clearly.
Our CNC Bending Capabilities
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine | CNC hydraulic press brake |
| Max bending length | 4,000mm |
| Max tonnage | 200 tonnes |
| Angle accuracy | +/- 0.5° standard, +/- 0.3° precision |
| Dimensional accuracy | +/- 0.3mm standard, +/- 0.15mm precision |
| Material thickness | 0.5mm - 12mm |
| Materials | Mild steel, stainless, galvanized, aluminum, copper, brass |
| Tooling | Full library of V-dies, acute, gooseneck, hemming, radius punches |
Learn more about our full bending service capabilities.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The fastest way to get precise bending pricing:
- Prepare your drawing — DXF, DWG, STEP, or PDF with all dimensions and bend notes
- Specify the material — Grade, thickness, and surface finish
- State the quantity — Per part number
- Note any special requirements — Tight tolerances, protective film, specific grain direction
Send your files via Zalo, email, or our website upload form. We typically respond with a detailed quote within 24 hours for standard parts.
For a general overview of all our pricing, visit the pricing page.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you need 10 simple brackets or 1,000 complex enclosure panels, our CNC bending service delivers consistent quality at competitive prices. Contact us today with your drawings for a free quote and DFM review.