Method for precision bending of sheet of materials, slit sheets fabrication process

The method of slitting a sheet of material for bending as defined in claim 8, wherein

• the forming step is accomplished by forming a plurality of slits as defined in claim 25 on opposite sides of the bend line along substantially the full length of the bend line.

A method of slitting a sheet of material for bending along a bend line, the material having a thickness, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a solid elastically deformable sheet of material for slitting;
• and
• forming a plurality of slits along a desired bend line with alternate slits along the bend line being positioned on alternating sides of the bend line and during the forming step, forming each slit with a central portion substantially parallel to and offset laterally from the bend line and with arcuate slit end portions on each end of the slit curving away from the bend line so that adjacent pairs of arcuate slits define bending straps extending obliquely across the bend line, wherein a jog distance between alternate slits is less than the material thickness.

A method of slitting a sheet of material for bending along a bend line comprising the step of:

• forming a plurality of slits through the sheet of material, each slit defining opposing faces in the sheet of material and each face having an edge, the slits being configured and positioned relative to the bend line such that an inside edge of one of the faces engages the opposing face and acts as a fulcrum during bending to produce bending along the bend line and to produce edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the slits, each slit having a longitudinally extending centerline, wherein each centerline at the end portion thereof diverges away from the bend line.