Precision Form Developer Documentation

Authentication

The API uses Bearer Token authentication. All requests must include your secret API key in the header. To obtain a key, please contact your account manager.

Authorization Header

Authorization: Bearer pf_live_sk_YOUR_KEY_HERE

POST

/api/v1/calculate.php

Calculates required bending force using the standard Air Bending formula (K-Factor 1.33). Crucially, this endpoint also performs Safety Validation to check if the requested flange length is physically safe for the selected die opening.

Request Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
thickness	float	Yes	Material thickness.
length	float	Yes	Length of the bend.
v_opening	float	Yes	Width of the Die V-Opening.
uts	string / int	Yes	Ultimate Tensile Strength. Accepts integer PSI (e.g., `65000`) or Material Code (e.g., `"A36"`, `"SS304"`).
flange_length	float	Optional	The shortest leg of the bend. Used to trigger safety warnings (slipping/falling in).
units	string	Optional	Set to `metric` to interpret inputs as mm. Defaults to `imperial` (inches).

Supported Material Codes

You may send these string codes in the uts field instead of raw PSI integers.

Mild Steel

"A36", "mild-steel"

Stainless

"SS304", "SS316"

Aluminum

"5052", "6061"

Example Request (JSON)

{
  "thickness": 0.25,
  "length": 12,
  "v_opening": 2.0,
  "uts": "A36",  // String Code
  "flange_length": 1.2,
  "units": "imperial"
}

Example Response

{
  "status": "success",
  "result": {
    "tonnage": 16.21,
    "unit": "US Tons",
    "pressure": {
      "imperial": "16.21 Tons/ft",
      "metric": "472.99 kN/m"
    },
    "safety_status": "risky",
    "warnings": [
      "Caution: Flange (1.2 in) is short. High risk of slipping."
    ]
  },
  "meta": { ... }
}

Response Logic & Safety Codes

The API returns a safety_status field that indicates if the requested setup is physically viable based on the Die Opening vs. Flange Length ratio.

"safe"

The flange is long enough to span the die opening comfortably. Standard Air Bend.

"risky"

The flange is short (between 0.5x and 0.7x V-Opening). It is physically possible but requires careful operator handling.

"impossible"

The flange is mathematically too short (≤ 0.5x V-Opening) and will fall into the die. Setup should be rejected.

Integration Examples

Python (Requests)

import requests

url = "https://www.precisionformtool.com/api/v1/calculate.php"
payload = {
    "thickness": 0.25,
    "length": 12,
    "v_opening": 2.0,
    "uts": "A36",
    "flange_length": 1.5
}
headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer pf_live_sk_...",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)
print(response.json())

JavaScript (Node / Fetch)

const calculateTonnage = async () => {
  const response = await fetch('https://www.precisionformtool.com/api/v1/calculate.php', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer pf_live_sk_...',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      thickness: 6,       // 6mm
      length: 1000,       // 1000mm
      v_opening: 50,      // 50mm
      uts: "SS304",       // Material Code
      units: 'metric'     // Auto-converts inputs
    })
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(`Required Force: ${data.result.tonnage} Tons`);
};

Error Codes

200 OK	Request successful. Math and Safety checks performed.
400 Bad Request	Missing required fields (e.g., thickness or uts missing).
401 Unauthorized	Invalid or missing Bearer Token.
500 Server Error	Internal calculation error.