The two big pieces of perishable tooling are the wipers and the mandrel (Shank, body, nose, and ball mandrels all included). Tube bending components consist of both perishable components (those you will eventually have to replace) and non-perishable components (those you won’t have to replace). Perishable and Non-Perishable Components of Tube Bender Tool Sets Tube bending calculations and formulas can be tricky even for experienced tube and pipe benders, so we recommend checking out some of our resources on bending calculations if you need help or would like to learn more. Some of these calculations determine things like the ideal bend radius and others whether or not your specific equipment can even complete the bend.
There are a number of calculations that need to be made when bending. CNC machines can help ensure the right tooling is being used.Īdditionally, the success or failure of any bend is often determined by calculations that are done even before the tooling is set. Each of these components needs to be set precisely to achieve the correct bend. So even owners and managers who have skilled employees will want to use CNC tube bending machines that help alleviate much of the risk and stress of tube and pipe bending.Īs you can see from the diagram above, there are a number of pieces of tooling that are used during the bending process. Even trained and experienced workers could make mistakes in the process they use or in physically performing the bend. There are many techniques for tube bending, and using the wrong one could do more harm than good.
Additionally, CNC machines help eliminate confusion over which bending technique to use in a given circumstance. CNC machines can also help assist in calculation performance. Some bending machines rely on employees to use the machine, setting tooling and operating the machine manually, but more and more often companies are opting for CNC machining.ĬNC, computer numerical control, machining is more consistent that human powered machines.
Square tube bending dies manual#
Two of the biggest reasons manual bending is an unpopular solution is that it is inconsistent and difficult to scale.įar more common is tube and pipe bending that is done with a machine. Tube and pipe can be bent manually, however this is not very common. Each component plays a vital role in how the piece of pipe or tube is bent. Some of the most common applications, however, are automotive applications (exhaust systems, head rests, etc.).Įach tooling component that we’ll cover later is necessary to achieve the proper bend for whatever the end use application will be.
Tube and pipe can be found in a wide range of applications and across nearly every industry. Tube and pipe bending is done so that the piece can be fit to certain machines, as part of a larger whole like in an exhaust system, or in particular environments, like pipes that are used underground to carry material from one point to another. Tube and pipe bending, in its most simple state, is any process by which a piece of tube or pipe is reshaped. Before we dive into each of these specific tooling components, however, let’s look at some of the basics of tube and pipe bending in general. Each component contributes to the success of the operation, but the basic components include the bend die, clamp die, pressure die, wiper die, and mandrel. When first approaching bending tooling, it is necessary to understand a bit about bending in general as well as the various components that are used in the task.