63NC Pipe Bender Machine

Introduction of 63NC Pipe Bending Machine

The NC hydraulic pipe bender features a hydraulically controlled bending mechanism and a touchscreen for easy program setup and operation. The SB-63NC hydraulic pipe bender is not only easy to operate but also offers nine bend angles per profile. It provides high precision and a low cost-performance ratio (C/P). This model is suitable for small to medium-sized production needs and can bend pipes up to 63.5 mm in diameter.

It adopts NC control with touchscreen operation, allowing for convenient program setup. The design supports nine bend angles and eight scales, with a large memory capacity that can store up to 60 profiles. Bending accuracy can reach ±0.15°, and it has an automatic error and fault detection function with on-screen display. The hydraulically controlled bender can also be equipped with an optional auxiliary push function, and it is suitable for various materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper pipes. The NC hydraulic pipe bender can be equipped with four or eight scales (optional).

This microcomputer-controlled, hydraulically driven machine can perform a variety of different bending angles. It features a Chinese subtitle display and an interactive human-machine interface, allowing for manual or semi-automatic operation. A movable foot switch provides both start and emergency stop functions.

This machine offers convenient operation, stable performance, high efficiency, and a high safety factor, making it an ideal choice for the pipe processing industry.

Mechanical Features

• Adopting a PLC programmable controller, multiple bending angles can be set.
• High stability and low contact failure rate.
• Easy maintenance, economical, and efficient.

Recommended Applications

The machine is suitable for:

• Auto parts (brake hoses, bumpers, mufflers, seats)
• Motorcycle manufacturing
• Bicycle industry
• Fitness equipment
• Air conditioning and refrigeration
• Steel furniture
• Bathroom equipment and other industries

Single-Head Hydraulic Pipe Bender (63NC)

The single-head hydraulic pipe bender can significantly increase cutting speed and reduce labor intensity. The equipment is well-designed and easy to operate, and its market share is steadily increasing. Fully automatic pipe cutting machines make pipe cutting highly efficient.

Features of the Single-Head Hydraulic Pipe Bender (63NC)

• One-piece body for a sturdy and stable structure.
• The entire machine head is cast in ductile iron (QT500-7) using a single-cast process, ensuring durability.
• The control system utilizes a microcomputer-controlled NC system with world-renowned electrical components.
• The LCD display is in Chinese (other languages available) and features touch-sensitive buttons for easy operation.
• The removable foot switch has start and emergency stop functions.
• The machine can be configured for cored and coreless pipe bending as needed.
• The memory can store 40 sets of bending data.
• Hydraulically controlled bending accuracy of ±0.5°.
• Power-off memory function allows data to be saved.
• Bending angle compensation ensures precise bending angles.
• The machine can be configured for manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic operation.
• The machine count function allows accurate counting of workpieces.
• The machine automatically detects errors or malfunctions and displays them on the screen for easy troubleshooting.
• Equipped with an oil-temperature circulating water cooling device.
• Bend direction: clockwise.

One Tube, One Die

For a tube, regardless of the number of bends or the bend angle (which should not exceed 180°), the bend radius should ideally be uniform. Since one tube corresponds to one die, what is the appropriate bend radius for tubes of varying diameters?

The minimum bend radius depends on:

• The material properties,
• The bend angle,
• The allowable thinning of the outer tube wall after bending,
• The amount of wrinkling on the inner tube wall, and
• The degree of ovality at the bend.

Generally speaking, the minimum bend radius should be no less than 2–2.5 times the tube’s outer diameter, and the shortest straight section should be no less than 1.5–2 times the tube’s outer diameter, except in special circumstances.

The main parameters defining tube shape and dimensions include D, T, R, “D,” and f, as well as the tube material and tolerance requirements.

Take the bend radius, for example. Some designers lack a thorough understanding of the standards, resulting in a wide variety of bend radii for the same tube diameter with no clear pattern. Generally speaking, “D” values of 2, 2.5, and 3 are common and easy to achieve, while extreme values such as 1, 1.5, and 1.75 are more challenging.

If “D” is too large, it will result in excessive mold size and material waste. If “D” is too small, it will increase the difficulty of bending. A 1D bend radius is particularly difficult to produce domestically, especially for aluminum tubes.

The wall thickness is recommended to be no more than 90 mm; excessively large values increase the difficulty of bending the tube.

Causes of Pipe Bending Defects

(1) Severe Flattening of the Arc

During the pipe bending process, the force causes the cross-section of the arc to become oval. For pipes of the same specifications, the smaller the bending radius, the greater the force, and the more obvious the flattening tendency.

If it is a coreless pipe bend, flattening is more serious. If a cored pipe is used and the core rod diameter is too small or worn, the gap between the core rod and the inner wall of the pipe becomes too large, making the outer side of the arc prone to flattening.

Even if the gap between the core rod and the pipe wall is reasonable, if the advance amount when installing the core rod is too small, the pipe wall cannot be well supported, which also causes flattening.

In addition, if care is not taken during mold installation, misalignment between the bending mold and the pressing mold will also result in arc flattening.

(2) Excessive Thinning of the Outer Side of the Arc

When the tube radius is small, if the tube bending machine is not equipped with an outer-side booster device and a tail-end pusher, the tensile stress on the outer side of the arc increases due to the resistance of the clamping die, causing the neutral layer to move inward. As a result, the outer side of the arc becomes thinner.

The greater the clamping force, the greater the resistance, and the more severe the thinning. This effect is more significant when the relative bending radius and relative wall thickness are smaller.

In addition to factors such as tube material and tube radius, excessive mandrel advance and poor lubrication can also increase the thinning of the outer wall.

(3) Cracks on the Outer Side of the Arc

Cracks or fractures on the outer side of the arc may occur for several reasons:

• Improper heat treatment of the tube material leading to excessive grain size.
• Excessive clamping die pressure, which increases bending resistance.
• Too small a gap between the mandrel and the inner wall of the tube, resulting in excessive friction.
• Poor lubrication causing machine tool vibration.

These factors can all contribute to the formation of cracks on the outer side of the arc during the tube bending process.