How Do I Bend a Tube Without Getting Wrinkles in It?

Have you ever tried to run a bend and every time it turns out creased and wrinkled? Bending a tube requires accuracy and precision. Every detail matters when making a smooth bend. Choosing the correct size bender, the correct tooling set, and the correct style of bender are all important factors.

1. Having the right size bender is the first thing to ensure that a smooth bend is produced. If the bender is too small for the bending need, it will not hold the tube rigidly enough – in turn allowing wrinkles. It is better for the bender to be oversized than undersized.
2. Tooling can also affect how good of a bend is produced. Using a three-, four-, or five-piece tooling set helps control the tube. Whether the set includes a bend clamp, wiper die, pressure die or mandrel, each of these pieces of tooling affect the quality of the bend produced. It is important to choose the correct type of tooling for the material being bent.
3. A rotary draw style of bender that firmly clamps the material being bent is one of the best options to avoid wrinkles on the bend. Rotary draw benders form the tube by drawing it around the bend die, usually over a mandrel. The material is clamped to the bend die, holding the tubing tightly with the clamp, without slippage, to create a smooth high quality bend. Be sure the tube is closely fitted and has a firm grip in the clamp during the bend, as this is the key to smooth bends!

AM Industrial Machinery has a variety of used and refurbished rotary draw tube benders in stock at our facility. Our experts will help you determine which machine is the right size and has the proper tooling to meet your needs. Contact us today for more information.