Pipes are used for many different uses, and sometimes bending is inevitable. To bend the pipes made of stainless steel, a pipe bender is used to bend stainless steel pipes into different angles and curves to fit their intended purposes. The pipe bender comes in various sizes to bend different sizes of pipes.
A pipe bender is used in metal fabrication to bend pipes to suit a specific function. They are available in various types with varying features and specifications to fit the fabrication needs. The basic knowledge of how a pipe benders operate helps know the best kind of pipe bender because there are different types of pipe benders.
The pipe bender types are determined by how they are operated. The broader categorization of pipe benders are; – manually operated, hydraulic operated, and electrically operated. The following are some significant types of pipe benders.
Press Bending
A press bending is the oldest form of pipe bending. A pipe is held tightly across two strong supports and pressed down by a “bend die,” forcing it to take into the shape it’s pressed to. Press bending is simple and easy to use and can bend different types of pipes and metal bars. Also, the chances of pipe breakage are high.
Roll Bending
Roll bending involves 3 or more rollers for bending pipe metals. The roll bending operates by manually pressing the center roller against the pipe being bent. As the rollers rotate, the pipe moves to and from along the rollers until it gains the needed shape. It’s manually operated hence slightly slow in task completion.
Rotary Draw Bending
Rotary draw bending is a popular and most sought-after pipe bender. Its easy mechanical control, precise bend making, and good reputation make this pipe bending machine price in Kenya slightly higher than other types. It functions through a series of critical parts: clamping, pressure, and the radius die.
Mandrel Function
Mandrel function is more of a pipe bending aid than it is a process. As the pipe bends, the outer walls of the pipe get thinner. The whole process may lead to a tightened bend radius and a high chance of flattening. With the aim to reduce the chances of this happening, a mandrel device is inserted at the pipe bending point.
Wiper Dies
A wiper die is used as the mandrel is used, but now it is applied when the outer walls of the pipe are bent, thinning becomes a risk. It’s applied mainly when a thin tube needs bending. The wiper is placed into the grove between the pipe and the bending die to reduce the occurrence of wrinkles on the outer part of the pipe.
In conclusion
A pipe bender needs to give even and precise bends so that the bent pipe fits into its predetermined task efficiently and gets adequate to its function. Also, a pipe bender should be easy to use and require less effort to bend. The choice of the best type to use should be determined by the user’s expertise, the size of the pipe, and the usage of the bent pipe.
