Of course, small-diameter metal pipes can be bent with an ordinary vise. However, what to do with rolled metal having a sufficiently large diameter? For such purposes, specialists use machines that can be used to quickly bend such products without any deformation and damage. And they are simply called pipe benders.
It is with the help of such machines that bending of sheet metal and pipe rolling takes place. By the way, this device works taking into account the specific thickness and ductility of the steel from which the part is made, as well as determining the radius of curvature. How does metal bending take place and what kind of tools are used in it?
Varieties of ways to bend sheet steel
This process can be carried out both manually and automatically - using special technical equipment. Do-it-yourself metal bending is a complex and laborious process that takes a lot of time and effort. Such processing of steel consists in the use of a hammer and pliers. Of course, with such tools it is impossible to bend metal at a specific angle, while maintaining all the proportions and configurations of the part. However, for products of small sizes and diameters, this is quite enough. Thin metal is bent with a special mallet.
Industrial metal bending fixtures
As for professional equipment, here it is necessary to note the following devices for bending metal:
- Roller machines.
- Press brakes.
- Bending rolls.
The latter, in turn, are divided into several types and can be either manual or hydraulic. Recently, more modern devices have been used in industry - with an electric drive. Rollers are used to give the sheet a cylindrical shape. Often, with the help of this equipment, chimneys and pipes, as well as other bulky parts, are processed.
With the help of a press brake, sheet metal is bent. Here it is necessary to note the fact that with the development of technology, modern machines are able to produce complex parts with several bending lines in one working cycle. At the same time, the change of important parts of the apparatus (bending elements) occurs very quickly, which allows you to reconfigure the press for another product as soon as possible.
Application
Who needs metal bending? Steel bending procedureproducts are often used in small industries, as well as in everyday life and households. In the latter case, such machines are used for bending profiles of various sizes, prefabricated partitions, channels, corners, cabinet products, gutters, slopes, steel frames and many other metal products.
In addition, various presses and machines are used to make sewer and water pipes. Recently, their configuration has become so complex that it is simply impossible to do without the use of special equipment.
It should be noted that metal bending machines are also designed for processing copper and aluminum products. Still this equipment can bend the material having a paint and varnish and zinc covering. And thanks to the advent of mobile machines, sheet metal work can be carried out on site, which saves a lot of time and money that would have to be spent on transporting devices.
Do-it-yourself metal bending
There are several types of do-it-yourself pipe processing in the household:
1. "Bracket" - when the product resembles the letter "P".
2. "Kalach" - the pipe is bent in a semicircle.
3. "Compensator" - used to avoid obstacles.
4. "Duck" - a bend like the English letter "N" (most often used in plumbing).
For do-it-yourself pipe processing, a plate with holes is most often used, into which pins (stops) are pre-installedfor details). However, this method is not highly productive, and therefore is suitable only for products with a diameter of 1-1.5 centimeters. Thicker pipes are cold processed with a fixed mandrel.
Bending of duralumin, brass and copper products, unlike ordinary sheet metal, has some features. Prior to processing, these products are usually annealed at a temperature of 350 to 700 degrees Celsius (depending on the specific material) with air cooling. In this case, the pipe is filled with a special molten rosin or paraffin, after which the product is allowed to cool. After the bending procedure, the filler is caught, as heating the middle of the part can cause it to break.
So, we found out how metal is bent and what machines are used for this.
