What is tube bending? You may not have heard of tube bending before, but it’s something that you’re familiar with whether you recognize the term or not. Tube bending refers to the process by which pipes and tubes are formed and shaped. Common applications for the tube bending process include plumbing pipes, automotive and airplane parts, aerospace technology, and other every day objects. This same shaping process is even used to make bicycles, stair railings, and musical instruments, too.
How are pipes formed? Sometimes tubes are formed manually on tube bending machines. The tube bending machinery holds the pipe in place, and it is shaped around a die (like a mold). Most of the time, however, pipes and tubes are bent using CNC tube bending machines, which use computer programming to set the specifications for a manufacturing jobs. Because some type of tube bending can require very specific calculations to determine shapes and angles, computerized machinery is necessary to ensure that all items turn out correctly.
The processes can vary depending on the type of pipe being formed. For example, in stainless steel tube bending, pipes may have to be heated to hundreds or even thousands of degrees in order to form the pipe. Cold forming is also used depending on the shape or bend required. In many cases, a mandrel (which is like a steel rod) is inserted into the pipe to prevent it from collapsing.
What sorts of materials are used for tube bending? Aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel tube bending are all very common when forming pipes, but other materials, such as copper or other metals and even plastic can be formed.
Where can you find out more information? Whether you have questions about stainless steel tube bending, or if you’re curious about the tube bending formulas and calculations used to form pipes and tubes, you can search on the web. Many websites and tube bending companies will list the formulas needed for specific types of bends. You can also leave a comment below with any general questions. Read this website for more information: www.tubeformsolutions.com
