Pipe Bending

Pipe Bending

Pipe bending is a process that bends tubes and pipes using computer-controlled machines that ensure the quality and efficiency of a product. Pipe bending can be done using both cold and hot working processes. Typically, the mechanical properties of the original material are altered by the process.

Pipe bending is a widely available specialized service that is either done by automated machines or manually. One of many types of automated machines uses mandrels, which bend the piping as it is being formed. Another takes pre-made tubing and bends the piping through a series of triangulated rollers in order to achieve the right bend radius. The method employed often varies according to the industry and particular application.

Custom tubing shapes are available for pipe bending, in addition to standard shapes such as ovals and rectangles. However, bend tooling can be expensive, so it is often more cost-effective to choose the bend radius from a selection of standard options. Using the same radius for multiple bends also avoids additional set-up costs.

Pipe bending is used in the agricultural, construction, aerospace, automotive, electrical, and medical industries in applications that depend upon several lengths and strengths of tubing.