As Good as New:
General Overhaul of
Tube Bending Machines
An alternative to buying a new machine
To buy new or second-hand? When
purchasing a car, consumers tend to make
their decision based largely on price. And
if you happen to have a well-maintained
car in the garage whose only downside
is a stuttering engine, then a trip to the
workshop is usually the first port of call. A
similar approach can be applied to tube
bending machines. Many companies have
been reliably using the high-investment
machines for decades. But at some stage
the technology might reach its limits. In
some instances, a general overhaul can be
an alternative to buying a new machine.
In which cases does this make sense and
in which not? The tube bending machine
manufacturer Schwarze-Robitec provides an
overview.
From the automotive industry to shipbuilding
to power plant or boiler construction: In many
industries, tube bending machines are an
indispensable part of the manufacturing process.
They have to bend tubes precisely and quickly.
Although a high-quality machine is a major
investment, the costs are rapidly amortized. In
addition, good machines are often in use for
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TUBE NEWS ● FEBRUARY 2020
decades. Once the technology reaches its limits,
many users decide in favour of a general overhaul
of their machine.
Old machine frame, new components
One of the leading international experts in the
sector of tube bending machines is Germany-
based company Schwarze-Robitec. When a client
orders a general overhaul of one of their machines
at Schwarze-Robitec, it is usually back in operation
six months later. However, clients only have
to do without their machines for around eight
weeks. Prior to the overhaul the tube bending
machine manufacturer procures the necessary