Like everything else in the machining and manufacturing industries, tube forming processes depend on the proper use of a number of different strong and reliable tools. Metal tube bending can be used for everything from forming the pipes needed for plumbing in your home to trombones and contemporary furniture to car parts. Because it has so many uses, tube bending is an important process for both consumers and machining companies who want to stay competitive and thrive in today’s marketplace. In order to meet customer demands and promote efficiency, business owners will have to invest in the proper tools, some larger than others.
Perhaps the most important tool in tube forming processes is the mandrel. Essentially, a mandrel helps a tube maintain its integrity and avoid wrinkling or breaking during the bending process. If those types of problems happen, bent tubes and pipes would fail to work properly as they could leak or not be able to withstand consistent use. In those cases, not only will consumers be frustrated with their products that do not work properly, but companies will have to waste time and money replacing them.
Fortunately, there are several types of mandrels so that every formable piece of metal can be adjusted safely.
- Plug mandrels are a solid rod used for normal, basic bends.
- Form mandrels feature a curved end for extra support on tougher jobs.
- A ball mandrel without a cable is unlinked steel ball bearings that are used for the most precise and accurate bends.
- Ball mandrels with cables are linked ball bearings and are necessary for critical and precise bends.
- Sand packed into a tube can be used to minimize distortion when tubes need to be heated.
Though mandrels are vital for making sure pipes aren’t damaged, they are hardly the only tool that needs to be used during tube forming processes. In addition, workers will need CNC lathes that provide quick and clean cuts, die blocks that work like molds for consistently accurate bending, and specialized CNC tube bending machines that help eliminate errors. Using all of the proper tools is important for business owners who want to reduce inconsistencies and help their employees work efficiently while meeting the needs of their customers.
In the past, tube bending had to be done by hand and workers needed to use creativity, as much as their strength, to bend items properly. While there is still a place for using a bit of elbow grease, on both small and custom projects, machining companies are able to thrive by using the proper tools. Without them, it would be almost impossible to complete high-volume, difficult jobs. For more information see this: www.tubeformsolutions.com
