The forming die rotates to desired degree of bend completing the process. The leading edge of the material to be bent is clamped to the bend forming die, while material rests between the forming die groove and the opposing force, commonly referred to as the counter bend or pressure die. Ask your steel supplier for the material specification to ensure the material is appropriate for bending.īy definition, a rotary draw bend is formed by drawing the workpiece around a rotating bend former. When making a decision about material for your application, consider application strength requirements, appearance and quality, and centerline radius specifications.

As an example, stainless tube can conflict with a steel counter bend die. Material grade affects the tooling selection and composition make sure the tooling is supplied to your material specifications so it doesn’t conflict with the material to be bent. Even the best machinery and tooling won’t overcome poor-quality tube material. Bending tube or pipe of poor quality material often leads to poor-quality bends, higher rates of scrap, and possible breakage. When purchasing tube for your job, remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best. Tube sizes are based on O.D., and wall thickness is referred to in gauge sizes.įor example, a 1-1/4-in. Pipe sizes are measured by I.D., with wall thickness referred to in terms of schedule. Knowing the material’s true dimensions is key to selecting the proper machine and tooling for your application. A measuring device such as vernier calipers can be used to gauge the material’s outside diameter (O.D.) and inside diameter (I.D.), which will enable you to confirm necessary dimensions and make simple drawings. Often today, you may not have actual part prints available to confirm material size and dimensions. What Is the Difference Between Tube and Pipe? To follow are several commonly asked questions and the important things to know before you start bending.ġ. Done correctly, this process produces highly satisfactory results at a reasonable cost. While tube and pipe can be bent with a variety of methods, one of the most common is the rotary draw tube bending process. The Tube Bending Process: What You Should Know Before Bending Pipe or Tube (FAQ)

Tube bending setback advance chart