Wipers
Inserted and Solid-Body Wiper Dies for Tube Bending
Bend Tooling’s industry-leading inserted wiper die is our most popular product. Over the past thirty years, we have perfected the design and manufacture of our inserted wiper dies for tube bending, and no one else comes close to our quality, price, and speed of delivery.
We also manufacture traditional “aircraft-quality” square-back solid-body wiper dies. Square-back solid-body wiper dies are excellent for high-pressure tube-bending jobs that require the wiper to be set at zero-rake. However, they are relatively costly to purchase.
Whether inserted or solid, our wiper dies for tube bending have a fully machined feathered edge. Unlike our competitors, there is no manual honing or sanding of the feathered edge. Bend Tooling precision machines this essential attribute of the wiper die. With tube bending equipment, do not settle for less.
Wiper Tooling
- Inserted and solid wipers for round tubing; solid “flat” wipers for square/rectangular tubing.
- Standard sizes: 0.875″–5″ (22–125mm) tube diameters.
- Precision feathered edge, with standard or off-set “aero” geometry for high-pressure bending.
- Multiple standard mounting patterns (inch/metric).
- Alloy steel holders for inserted wipers.
- Inserts: aluminum-bronze, hard-chromed, or leaded steel, bore-mounted for easy replacement.
- Complete assemblies and replacement inserts, mounting screws available.
Wiper Adapter Plates
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Provide additional length and reach for close collet approach
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May be use in cases where wiper mount has limited adjustability
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Robust key and bolt design eliminates likelihood of deflection
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Compatible with Inserted and solid-body wiper-dies
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Available for most wiper mount configurations
Proper Wiper Set-up
Standard-Style Inserts
Standard-Cut Wiper Proper Positioning
Standard-Cut Wiper Zero Rake Angle
Wiper tip may become pinched between tube and bend die. This may damage the tip or lead to imprint on tube.
Standard-Cut Wiper Zero Rake Angle Pulled back from Tangent
No support to the heal of the wiper insert will allow the wiper tip to flex during bending. Wrinkles may form.
Proper Wiper Set-up
Aero Inserts
Aero-Cut Wiper Proper Positioning
Very little or no rake angle. Full contact with bend die for maximum support.
Aero-Cut Wiper Negative Rake to bring tip closer to tangent
Back of wiper insert may drag against tube causing marking. This may also lead to clamp slippage and wrinkles.
Aero-Cut Wiper Too much Rake Angle Too close to tangent
No support to feathered edge of wiper insert will lead to wiper tip failure.
Common Questions about Wiper Dies
What types of wiper dies does Bend Tooling offer for tube bending?
Bend Tooling offers two primary wiper die types:
- Inserted Wiper Dies: Our most popular product, featuring square-back alloy steel holders and replaceable inserts in aluminum-bronze, hard-chromed, or leaded steel. Ideal for most tube bending jobs.
- Solid-Body Wiper Dies: Traditional “aircraft-quality” square-back designs, perfect for high-pressure bending at zero-rake. Available in standard round or “flat” configurations for square and rectangular tubing. Both types feature precision-machined feathered edges and support tube diameters from 0.875″ to 5″ (22mm to 125mm).
Why choose Bend Tooling’s inserted wiper dies over competitors?
How should I set up a wiper die for optimal tube bending?
Proper setup depends on the wiper type:
- Standard-Cut Inserts: Position with a slight rake angle for full bend die contact, avoiding pinching or wrinkles. Zero rake or pulling back from tangent can cause damage or flexing.
- Aero-Cut Inserts: Use little to no rake with full die contact for high-pressure jobs. Avoid negative rake (marking risk) or excessive rake (tip failure). Check our “Proper Wiper Set-up” diagrams above for visual guidance.
What materials and tube shapes are compatible with Bend Tooling wiper dies?
Our wiper dies handle round tubing (0.875″ to 5″ or 22mm to 125mm) with standard inserted or solid designs, plus square and rectangular tubing with solid-body “flat” wipers. Aero geometry inserts excel with stainless steel, titanium, and high-pressure applications, while standard-sweep designs suit most jobs.
Can I customize Bend Tooling wiper dies for my machine?
Partner with the Industry Leaders in Tooling Innovation
From pioneering the first inserted mandrels to introducing groundbreaking design processes, we’ve set the standard in tooling excellence. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities and expert engineering team ensure you get the highest-quality, custom-made tooling for your tube-bending needs.