When looking for a mandrel tube bender for sale, it’s important to do your research and understand the various factors setting different tube and pipe benders apart. Investing in a mandrel bender provides many useful benefits when properly chosen.
The article below will highlight some of the factors you should consider when looking at buying a new or used mandrel tube bender for sale. If you’d like help or have any other questions, get in touch with the team at Hines Bending Systems.
How a Mandrel Bending Machine Works
In a mandrel bending machine, a support piece, like a steel rod, is inserted into the tube. This insertion allows for the tube to be supported during the bending process.
Supporting the tubing in this way reduces the chance of deformations from forming or wrinkles appearing. There are a number of different mandrels that may be used to support the pipe while bending. Some of these include:
- Plug Mandrel: Usually a solid rod that is used in regular bending operations.
- Unlinked Ball Mandrel: Consists of a set of steel ball bearings inserted into the tube. Each ball is independent of the other and is used for extreme precision bends.
- Form Mandrel: Similar to a plug mandrel however the solid rod that is inserted has a curved end and is used for additional support of the pipe.
- Ball Mandrel with Cable: This mandrel consists of a cable connecting a set of steel ball bearings.
Most tube and pipe bending machine manufacturers agree that plug mandrels are effective in most cases. However, for precision bends ball mandrels are recommended.
Determine Your Tube Bending Requirements
If you’re looking to invest in a mandrel tube bender for sale, it’s apparent that you have pipe and tube bending needs that require a mandrel. In order to fully understand what your bending requirements are, make sure to determine the necessary measurements. You’ll want to be certain that the mandrel bending machine has the capacity to cover your outside diameter (OD), radii, wall thickness, degree of bend, and overall production level.
Features of Mandrel Tube Bender For Sale
Some of the most important factors setting apart quality mandrel bending machines from cheap benders are the features it comes equipped with. These should include the five key components – bend die, clamp die, pressure die, wiper die, and mandrel. With these components, you can depend on consistently producing high quality bends over and over again.
Plug-Type Mandrel Option
Some bends will only require what is known as a mandrel plug or mandrel shank. A plug-type mandrel bender will not have the usual balls and linkage attachments. The mandrel will generally have an end that is tapered, blunt, or round. The mandrel remains in a fixed position while tubing is pulled onto it and tube stretching occurs on the outer radius. The mandrel supports the inner radius during bending and is recommended for bends that only need to have a limited amount of support.
Ball-Type Mandrel Option
If you are interested in a mandrel exhaust tube bender or mandrel bender for sale, there’s little doubt that you won’t want a ball-type mandrel. Without this, the tubing material can lose its shape or create more bending complications, such as flattening or loss of ovalility.
Mandrel Extractor Option
You should also consider the importance of having a mandrel extractor on the mandrel tube bender for sale that you are considering. What the extractor provides is added protection from wall thinning while protecting the ovality of the tubing material.
Find a Mandrel Tube Bender For Sale
The easiest way to find the right mandrel bending machine is to speak directly with pipe and tube bending machine manufacturers like ourselves. Hines Bending Systems helps clients with locating the perfect pipe and tube benders suited for their bending and production needs. We carry a full collection of bending equipment for sale and would be glad to assist you with any concerns you might have. Contact us for more information!