Pipe Bending Services – Methodology

Pipe Bending Services – Methodology

Pipe bending services at Industrial Tube Manufacturing, requires the right and suitable method with corresponding tools and many other different factors are considered before making a bend. Pipe Bending Service can be done on straight cylindrical, rectangular or square tubes. Bending of pipes depends on the size and wall thickness of the tubes as well as the radius of the bend as these are the deciding factors for selection of particular tools which would be utilized for bending the selected pipe. Common bends include 90 degree elbow bends and U-bends. Your budget and quality of bend you’re looking for should also be considered when selecting your bending method.

The first two methods to consider are the Ram and Roll tube bending methods.

Ram bending

Ram bending requires a variety of dies and a mandrel or plug tube. Pressure is applied to the tube against one of the dies until the tube forms around the die. The mandrel goes inside the tube to prevent collapse but some bend deformity will appear using the ram method. Ram is one of the oldest and simplest tube bending methods, it uses a hydraulically driven ram that forces a tube against rollers or pivot blocks.

Roll method

The roll method requires a variety of spool-like rollers but needs no mandrel or plug and causes little bend deformity. Pressure is applied to the tube as it is fed through the rollers. Different bends can be implemented by putting the tube through multiple times or changing the location of the rollers.

Rotary draw method

Next is the rotary draw method which requires a mandrel, die and a tube bending clamp block. The clamp will secure the tube to the die as the rotary draw applies pressure. The mandrel or plug is in place to support the pipe cross section. If you have a bigger budget, heat induction creates a quality bend. To bend a tube, an induction coil is heated to the appropriate temperature for the tube material. The coil is then inserted into the tube and force is applied. Air spray or water is used to quench the tube after the bend is created.

This method is an older pipe bending method. Sand packing does what the name implies. The tube is packed with sand and the ends are capped. The tube is then heated with a furnace after which the tube can be bent. Sand acts as a mandrel in this situation. The material of the tools you will use depends on how long you want the tools to last and how much you’re willing to scratch the tube. Steel dies and tools are more durable and will last a while, but the tubes may be scratched in the process. Bronze and aluminum don’t damage the tube but those materials are less durable that hardened or tool steel.

The above methods of bending are used based on material to be bent and the complication of the bend.

ITM (Industrial Tube Manufacturing) also offers CNC mandrel tube bending with capacity of up to 90mm diameter. The 3 axis CNC machine allows for extremely accurate and complex pipe bending. This has added to ITM’s broad range of services including traditional and customized tube products, precision cutting, angle cutting, deburring, drilling, scalloping, welding, tapering and swaging. We are providing perfect Pipe Bending and mandrel tube bending services in all over Australia.

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