FOCUS ON TUBE FORMING
THE MOVE TO TUBE
In Part Two of this article, we highlight a selection of some of the latest global tube and pipe forming innovations, including cutting and bending.
“ We present Part Two of this article, highlighting selected tube and machinery innovations from manufacturers listed alphabetically from H-Z.”
Tubes are measured by their outer diameter and are usually smaller and less rigid than pipes. Bending involves metal forming processes used to permanently form pipe or tubing. The objective is to obtain a smooth bend without flattening the tube or pipe. Bending processes include form-bound and freeform, as well as heat-supported and cold forming. Factors such as material wall thickness, tooling and lubricants used all affect the bending process. Generally, round stock is used in tube bending. However, square and rectangular tubes and pipes may also be bent to meet job specifications.
Form-bound bending, such as press bending or rotary draw bending, are used to form the workpiece into the shape of a die. Straight tube stock can be formed using a bending machine to create a variety of single or multiple bends and to shape the piece into the desired form. These processes can be used to form complex shapes out of different types of ductile metal tubing. Freeformbending processes, such as three-roll-push bending, shape the workpiece kinematically so that the bending contour is not dependent upon the tool geometry.
Tube end forming machines use hydraulic or mechanical presses. Often these presses use a repeated hammering motion to shape the tube. Because tube end forming is a shaping process and requires no cutting, there is no wasted metal at the end of the process. In addition, the tube end forming process can provide improved tube strength, better connectivity between components and improved sealing capabilities.
In Part Two of this article( Part One was published in our March 2025 issue), we highlight a selection of some of the latest global tube and pipe processing innovations, including cutting and bending. They have been listed in alphabetical order( from H-Z). To see updates from A-G, please see Part One of this article in ISMR’ s March 2025 issue.
Bending processes include formbound and freeform, as well as heat-supported and cold forming
Tube and pipe processing
Hans Laser Smart Equipment Group Co,. Ltd offers various models of tube laser cutting machines( the PD Series, TD Series, H-Beam Laser Cutter and MPS-T5) in different powers with loading / unloading options.
Harco Metal Products, Inc. uses a variety of tube forming processes to meet a range of applications, with over 14 different endforming machines to produce most shapes( from simple to extremely complex). It provides tubular fabrication processes to form most shapes including CNC rotary
Image: LVD. arm bending( mandrel-supported), ram or compression bending, roll bending and more.
HSG produces a range of laser tubecutting systems including the TLS, T2, TS2 and R1. In 2022, it launched its TL660S heavy-duty laser tube cutting machine with four chucks.
Hypertherm’ s Rotary Tube Pro™ software is designed to make it“ fast and easy for anyone to design and cut tube and pipe parts.” There is no 3D CAD experience required. Designed for mechanised rotary cutting, it supports stand-alone units and cutting table add-ons including plasma, laser, waterjet and oxyfuel machines. Its XPR™ plasma cutting systems offer X-Definition ® cut quality on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
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