A pipe and tube bender machine is useful for industries that require metallic pipes or tubes. Using a pipe and tube bender will help you reduce welding expenses. A bent pipe also reduces fastener expenses and prevents leakage of system fluid.

Whether you want to use industrial pipe or tube bending services or you want to be a service provider, you must understand various technical terms related to the pipe and tube bending processes. This guide explains pipe and tube bending key terms, such as hot or cold bending, press bending, mandrel bending, bend radius and springback.

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Hot or cold bending

As the name indicates, in a cold bending process, the pipe or tube is bent at room temperature. A hot bending process is carried out at high temperatures in which the yield strength of the tube material is less.

I recommend: Albina Pipe Bending Co. Inc., a reputable company in the bending and fabrication industry, offers a glossary of technical terms, such as cold bending and hot bending.

Press bending

Press bending is probably the simplest method of pipe and tube bending. For tubes and pipes with heavy thickness, press bending process is the most suitable bending technique. However, the bend quality for tubes or pipes using the press bending technique is very poor.

I recommend: Hines Bending Systems (PDF), a supplier of pipe bending equipment, provides a guide for tube bending that explains technical terms related to the tube bending operations.

Mandrel bending

In the mandrel bending process, a flexible rod, called a mandrel, is inserted inside the pipe before it is bent. This ensures uniform dimensions of the bent pipe or tube.

I recommend: AutoAnything, an online retailer of automotive products, offers a glossary of technical terms that explains the term mandrel bending.

Roll bending

As the name indicates, in a roll bending process, tubes or pipes are bent over metal rolls to achieve the required bent profile. Generally, roll bending is a cold bending process.

I recommend: To understand the concept of roll bending, read through the metal forming glossary at Advantage Fabricated Metals, a manufacturer of custom metal components for OEM (original equipment manufacturing) applications.

Bend radius

Bend radii indicate the different radii of the arc of the bend. Different bend radii are internal bend radius, external bend radius and centerline radius. Generally, when the term bending radius is used, pipe bending companies mean centerline radius.

I recommend: Jorgenson Metal Rolling & Forming, a service provider in the metal forming industry, provides a glossary of metal forming terms.

Springback (elastic springback)

When a pipe or tube is bent, it has a tendency to return to its original shape or position. This tendency is due to the resilience of the material for the tube or pipe. Springback is the limit, up to which the tube or pipe restores its position after removing the bending pressure.

I recommend: For further information about elastic springback, read through the glossary of technical terms at Specialty Steel Industry of North America.

Pipe and tube bending tools reduce the need for welding and fitting pipes together. Pipe and tube benders can be manual, hydraulic-assisted or hydraulic motor driven. During straight pipe bending, the machine can support the tube from either the outside or the inside to make sure the tube doesn't break. When it's all right for the pipe to have some deformation in its cross-section, you don't need to support the tube during bending.

Many different types of pipe and tube benders exist for use on varying applications and materials.

1. You can use a pipe bending machine on cylindrical pipes and tubes with either oval, round, square or rectangular cross-sections.

2. You can use metal pipe bending tools to work primarily on titanium, copper, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys and brass.

3. You can use a small tube bender for tubes used in the medical industry or other tube bending tools or pipe bending tools to work on plastics or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

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Check out industrial pipe bender companies for your industry

If you focus on looking for companies that work with your industry, you'll be sure to find quality pipe and tube bending machines. Look for companies with a knowledgeable customer service staff. Whether you're in the automotive industry looking for an exhaust pipe bender, need to bend copper pipe for plumbing jobs or are looking for a large industrial pipe bending machine, many companies exist for your particular niche.

I recommend: Tube Bending Concepts manufactures tube bending tools for the automotive, aerospace, HVAC and fitness equipment industries. F. W. Webb serves the pharmaceutical industry, plumbers, HVAC technicians and more.

Search for a used pipe bending machine

If it's in good condition, a used pipe bending machine or tube bender will work as well as a new one but for a much lower price. Look for pipe and tube benders for sale used or at wholesale prices if cost is at the top of your priorities.

I recommend: Check out Surplus Record Machinery and Equipment Directory for its many used pipe and tube bending tools for sale. Liberty Machinery specializes in buying and selling used bending machines.

Outsource industrial pipe bender services

If you don't have the means for doing your own pipe or tube bending in-house or at the job site, plenty of pipe and tube bending services are available to do the job to your specifications and by the time you need the product.

I recommend: Russell's Tube Forming makes tube-related parts and assemblies of aluminum, carbon and stainless steel. Tube Specialties is a complete steel fabrication company factory that makes products for many industries that need pipe and tube bending.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Go to trade shows and exhibitions featuring pipe and tube bender manufacturers and service companies. You can find a wealth of information and make great business connections at trade events.

If you're a plumber, electrician or builder, you can benefit from pursuing pipe and tube benders education and training. Tube bending and pipe bending will prove vital if you need to bend copper pipe, electrical conduit or other types of pipes and tubes. Whether you're using a manual pipe bender, an industrial pipe bender or any type of pipe bending machine, it's important to get the proper pipe and tube benders education and training.

There are a few ways you can pursue pipe and tube benders education and training. Some pipe and tube bender manufacturers or vendors offer online training videos. You can also find pipe and tube bending seminars. Finally, becoming an apprentice for a plumber or for a pipe and tube bending company will give you crucial hands-on training.

1. Go to manufacturers or vendor websites to find pipe and tube bending training videos.

2. Attend a pipe and tube bending seminar for information on how to use these machines.

3. Sign on to be a pipe manufacturer apprentice to learn how to use pipe and tube benders.

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Watch online training videos to get pipe and tube benders education and training

Some pipe and tube bender manufacturers and vendors provide training videos on their websites. These videos include demonstrations, safety tips and step-by-step instructions on many types of pipe and tube bending machines. These videos can be your first step in pipe and tube benders education and training.

I recommend: Cambridge Machinery provides a video overview of the operation of the pipe and tube bender they offer. Winton Machine Company, a pipe and tube bender manufacturer, provides instructional videos for every type of machine they produce.

Take advantage of seminars to get an in-depth look at pipe and tube benders

Fortunately, some pipe and tube bending manufacturers offer hands-on training seminars. Some might even conduct on-site training seminars. You'll learn pipe and tube bending techniques, theories and troubleshooting tips when you get pipe and tube benders education and training from top professionals in the field.

I recommend: Hines Bending Systems offers pipe and tube bending training seminars through its Hines University program. The pipe and tube bending seminars offered by NW Fluid Solutions is the most popular seminar the company offers, teaching bending techniques and even common terms used in the industry.

Get vital hands-on pipe and tube benders training through an apprenticeship

Little can compare to hands-on training when it comes to learning a new craft or how to use particular equipment. A pipe and tube bending apprenticeship gives you one-on-one training with seasoned professionals working directly with a company that offers tube bending services. You'll learn how to set up and inspect machines as well as bend many types of tubes and pipes, from steel to copper.

I recommend: One class in the final semester of the commercial plumbing apprenticeship program offered by the Pipe Trade Training Center is devoted to tube bending. Paramount Roll & Forming offers a one-year operator training apprenticeship that teaches the apprentice all aspects of pipe and tube bending.