Tube Bending and Pipe Bending Principles
Tube bending is one of the fundamental processes in metal fabrication. Industrial pipes and tubes are a vital item in manufacturing for both construction and the transportation of other materials. The majority of bent tubes are used as structural components such as handrails, as elements of metal furniture frames and car roll cages, while piping is used for oil and water products, hydraulic systems and exhaust lines. Tube Bending Processes There are several metal fabrication techniques for bending tubes and pipes, including draw, press, ram and roll bending. They each apply force to bend the metal and there are common principles to all of them, including elongation and bend radius. There are also tool functions that also have specific ways of affecting the bend such as mandrels and wipers. The correct application of all the principles influence the quality of the pipe and tube manufacture. Bending Forces When a tube is bent, the wall of the tube at the point i...