Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for designing a bead tool and a bead for sheet metal forming. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a datastore, a library of bead tool data associated with a plurality of bead tools; receiving, by a processor, a plurality of parameters associated with at least one of a punch and a die of a desired bead tool; computing, by the processor, bead tool data for at least one of the punch and the die of the desired bead tool based on the plurality of parameters; providing, by the processor, a subset of bead tool data from the library of bead tool data; receiving, by the processor, a selection of bead tool data from the subset of bead tool data and the computed bead tool data; and generating, by the processor, bead geometry data based on the selection and the bead tool data associated with the selection.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a rigidity of an angle bracket includes a test system having a first test fixture and a second test fixture. The system includes an angle bracket coupon including a first wall, a second wall coupled to the first wall at a bend to define an angle between the first wall and the second wall, and at least one three dimensional feature defined at the bend that extends between the first wall and the second wall. The angle bracket coupon is to be coupled to at least one of the first test fixture and the second test fixture to evaluate the rigidity of the angle bracket.