Pipe and Round Tube Bending
At Bend-IT, Inc., we utilize three main forms of bending: 3-axis, rotary and hot forming.
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3 Axis Bending
The advantage of using these types of machines is that they provide bending of metal pipe to form circles or segments of circles from 12” Centerline Radius to the infinite. For example, when bending larger radius pipes for a foam fire safety ring around a 300′ diameter storage tank, which takes almost 1,000 feet of pipe, rolled in either single random (20′ long average) or double random pipe (40′ average), we can make it happen.
One key fact to keep in mind when calculating the required amount of material when using 3 axis process, there is a certain amount of extra material sacrificed at the ends of each joint of pipe so the machine can make the bends. Usually 6” to 36” each end depending on the size of the pipe and the radius of the bends. Unsure of what you need? Give us a call or email us for a prompt response.
Rotary Bending
The advantage of rotary bending is that high quantity bend requirements can be made quickly and efficiently making this a most desired form of bending to provide exact tolerance requirements with high speed production. The pipe or tubing is clamped and then formed with a rotating action along the selected forming die to the correct and exact degree of bend.
As with any form of bending, there may be exact tolerances for wall thinning and ovality. In some cases, a metal support is provided inside the pipe to help keep to a minimum the ovality. Both the ovality and wall thinning can be measured and tested to ensure compliance with your required tolerance needs. In most cases, we normally measure these tolerances using the ASME B31.1 and B31.3 which both allow 8% max ovality and 12% wall thinning. Unsure of what you need? Give us a call or email us for a prompt response.
Hot Forming
In some cases, hot forming may the the selected method of bending. Usually, chrome materials such as 4130 alloys, used in offshore pipe, bend best when heat formed as cold forming is not possible due to the hardness of the materials. Even if it did make a successful bend, there could be hairline cracks causing degradation of the materials and failure with placed into service. Other times hot forming can be selected over rotary bending because of 1) (hardness of the materials) the propensity for cracking as mentioned above or 2 (configuration) the configuration of the pipe or tubing making it impossible to form in the design of the bending machine or 3) (time frame) having dies made takes a tremendous amount of time and money.
Time-wise having to wait 6 weeks for tooling is not uncommon and the costs are usually in the thousands of dollars for specialized tooling. Hot forming is not the best economically most times but if your need is critical and the benefits out way the cost, it could be a viable option for getting product on your floor with other options that are not acceptable for whatever reason. Unsure of what you need? Give us a call or email us for a prompt response.
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(713) 991-0745
