Bending Aluminum Tube
The perception that aluminum is typically tougher to weld or paint than most other metals used for fabrication is pervasive, so it’s not surprising to learn that that bending aluminum tubing requires a bit more consideration than most other tubular materials. Material...Steps to troubleshooting draw bending of tube
Precisely positioning the tooling can result in repeatable and quality bends Even though we are in the age of CNC machinery, the old phrase “the tools make the bend” is as relevant today as ever. As tube bending applications have become more extreme (see Figure 1),...The Mandrel Nose Placement Calculator
This is a very helpful interactive utility that calculates the ideal placement of the mandrel nose. It also generates the ideal mandrel nose diameter for your specific application. This set-up tool should be used in conjunction with the “Forward Mandrel, Low...The “Forward Mandrel” Secret of Tube-Bending
Rotary-draw bending, or draw bending for short, is the best means of consistently producing high-quality tube bends, whether the application is heavy-walled stainless steel pipe for a nuclear reactor or delicate precious-metal tubing for jewelry. This is because,...The Wiper Feathered Edge
In rotary-draw tube-bending the tools make the bend. Small variations or errors in the design, manufacture, or set-up of rotary-draw tools can lead to loss of process control, poor bend quality, abbreviated tool life, and other headaches. This includes the wiper die....Link Dimension Reference Chart
If you are unsure of the link sizes you wish to order, please reference the dimensions below to find the correct size. A B C D #6 link .472″ 0.371″ .118″ .128″ #7 link .623″ 0.496″ .174″ .128″ #8 link .750″...Tube and Pipe Conversion Formula Charts
Below are common tube and pipe size standards. Click on any table for a larger...Tube Bending Formulas
Welcome to the “Bending Formulas” section of our website. Below you will find a variety of rotary-draw tube bending related formulas and calculations to help you evaluate your tube bending application. Please reference the “Table of Factors” for each of the formulas...Bend Tooling Mandrel and Wiper Chart
The Bend Tooling Mandrel and Wiper Chart allows for quick and easy evaluation of almost any rotary-draw tube bending application for round tubing. This tool will allow you to determine the mandrel and wiper tooling requirements for your application. Click on the chart...Poppet Links vs. Split Links
Over thirty years ago Bend Tooling Inc. developed and refined the only line of poppet links available for rotary-draw tube-bending. As consequence, when Bend Tooling’s competitors need to supply their customers with poppet links, they purchase them from Bend Tooling....The Right Stuff: Specifying Materials for Tube-Bending Tools
by Bill Tingley, Vice President & General Manager, Bend Tooling Inc. Over the past half-century a lot of ideas have come and gone as to the best materials for rotary-draw tube-bending tools. This is not surprising because of the great advances in materials, heat...FREE Tube-Bending Guide Download:
A complete guide to the principles of the 4-Step set-up for tube-bending tools
This is a printable handbook showing how to implement in four standardized steps the “forward mandrel” set-up for rotary-draw tube-bending machines and establish process control over the so-called black art. The procedure is based upon the guiding principle that the tools make the bend and takes advantage of the inserted design of modern mandrel tooling.