Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

I have a part that we are looking at manufacturing.  The part will be formed by bending the part to a specified radius. Basically bending the part around a die.  I am trying to figure what force will be required to create this bend.  Is there a way to get an idea of this force from Inventor? I know that there will be spring back, but I am not really concerned with that right now.

I am sure that Simulation would show the part being formed, but I am looking for the force also.

Maybe its not possible, idk.

Windows 7 x64 -12 GB Ram
Intel i7-930 @ 3.60ghz
nVidia GTS 250 -1GB (Driver 301.42)
INV Pro R2013, SP1.1
Vault 2013

[#2]

Who needs an Engineer when you have FEA and online calculators.. oh wait..

http://www.custompartnet.com/calculator/sheet-metal

[#3]

I have a chart I can go by for flat plate.... but this site is pretty neat.  The shape that I am trying to figure out is a Tapered hollow octagon.... something like this.  "I" varies down the length.

[#4]

I ended up calculating it by using the max stress on a cantilevered beam (W*l / Z).  For the "Z", I used the formula in the Mach HB.  I think that got me in the ballpark anyway.