Tube and pipe bending machines are the core of every metal fabrication business. This specialised equipment is used to machine, shape and size pipes and tubes into desired shapes and angles. Utilising precision, efficiency and effortless power, these machines help manufacture thousands of items we use daily, from intricate furniture and household fittings to huge pipes used in construction, plumbing and agriculture. 

The wide selection of pipe bender equipment ensures operators can achieve precision, tight tolerances and exacting specifications in each project. Where speed, control and consistent results are also prerequisites, fabrication shops turn to the high bending capacity of a reliable hydraulic tube bender. It’s easily replaced simpler and smaller manual benders, offering ease of use, improved control and consistent results across a wider range of metals and tasks. 

Basics of Hydraulic Tube Benders 

Hydraulic pipe benders use hydraulic force to bend, flare or crimp pipes. The machines consist of several parts. This includes the base, a bending rod or die, a hydraulic cylinder, guide rails, and a control system. During operation, the pipe is clamped on the bending rod with clamps or pressure dies at either end that holds the pipe in place. 

Pressure from a hydraulic system, consisting of cylinders, oil pumps, control valves and an oil tank, is transferred to the die and generates a specified force. This causes the pipe to bend to preset angles and curves. Control systems allow operators to adjust the force applied to the bending rod and select the right angles. Most tube and pipe bending machines also use a mandrel, a solid metal cylinder placed inside the tubing, to ensure uniform pipe diameters. 

Uses of Pipe Bender Machines 

Pipe bender machines are used across a variety of industries: 

• Automotive and aerospace industries—Hydraulic landing gear, pitot tubes, oxygen lines, air conditioning components, roll cages, bull bars, exhaust piping, and engine parts are just some of the items produced by a hydraulic tube bender in these industries. By selecting the right dies, the machines can produce various profiles, from circular, oval, or rectangular to complex engineered parts with varying wall thicknesses and diameters. 
• Shipbuilding and commercial vehicles – precision fuel lines, hydraulic control systems, piping systems and brake lines transport water, gas and fuel, ensure safety and offer manoeuvrability in ships and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. 
• Construction and architectural components – beams, columns, conduits, sewage pipes, window frames and handrails are a selection of products shaped with a tube bender. Consistent and precise bends, uniform diameters and smooth surfaces ensure efficiency and durability without sacrificing aesthetics. 
• Plumbing – water supply systems, gas lines, and waste disposal systems are shaped by hydraulic benders to exact dimensions and provide consistent flow, secure fitting, and long-lasting piping. 
• Manufactured goods – bike frames, antennas, fences, gates, electric poles and a variety of furniture pieces all begin life with tubing shaped on pipe and tube bending machine. Different tooling and dies can achieve intricate bends and curves while ensuring components last. 

Benefits of Hydraulic Tube Benders 

Compared to manually operated tube benders, or the higher costs generally associated with larger electric or CNC benders, hydraulic tube benders offer a long list of benefits: 

Precision and Efficiency

Get precise and accurate bends in pipes and tubes in areas where precision also means efficiency, safety and durability. Machines can shape pipes of different angles, obtain intricate curves, and ensure proper performance across multiple applications with simple controls and efficient operation. 

Power and Versatility

Hydraulics are a proven way to exert the required force to shape metals without breaking a sweat. Machines have high bending capacities, meaning they can easily shape softer metals like aluminium or copper or work with stainless, tool and carbon steel in larger thicknesses. This leads to improved production speeds, higher turnarounds, and increased productivity. 

Safety and Ease of Use

With minimal manual handling, hydraulic pipe bending machines reduce fatigue and physical stress in continual operation. Easy controls and a high degree of automation prevent common workplace injuries and accidents. 

Compact Footprints and Low Operational Costs

Small dimensions mean these benders don’t take up valuable floor space. Most are also relatively lightweight and to a degree portable, making them ideal for small to medium-sized fabrication shops. Low purchase and operational costs, minimal power requirements, tooling and accessories already factored into the price, additionally reduce the financial burden on metal fabricators. 

Choosing the Right Pipe Bender for Your Shop

Not all pipe benders are created equally. To meet your needs and have machinery that lets you grow, consider key buying factors. Bending capacity, or the diameters and pipe wall thickness the machine can handle should be a priority. This also determines the metals you work with. Most hydraulic benders can shape 60mm aluminium pipe with a wall thickness of 3 mm, 50 mm mild steel tubing with 1.6 mm walls, or steel rods up to 32 mm. 

Related is the level of precision and speed. Incremental adjustment in angles ensures higher precision across multiple products. If you require consistently high turnarounds, also look at bending speeds for different angles. Build, materials and features determine how long the bender lasts, overall maintenance costs, ease of use and safety. 

Steel in main components, such as bases, provides the necessary strength and durability, quality hydraulic systems offer long-term consistency and features like emergency stop buttons and guard rails improve safe operation. Also, choose quick tooling changes, foot pedals, quick-release mechanisms and other extras that make shaping pipes of any size a breeze.