Dynamic concepts for collision-free pipe bending

When it comes to pipe bending, precision is everything. In order to ensure good results, the use of the right bending technology is becoming increasingly important. This is particularly true for challenging requirements such as installation space and system positioning, as they can restrict the ideal conditions needed when forming pipes. In many cases, neither a right nor a left bending machine can produce the required geometry of the pipe bends without colliding with the machine frame. Therefore, a solution with the maximum number of bending options is required.

For this purpose, transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH has created effective technologies in their bend machine category, offering two effective right/left bending concepts for different pipe diameters. In the development of these bending machines, the focus was on the optimum utilisation of the systems.

Bending small pipe diameters
"For pipes with a diameter of less than 30mm, we offer bend machine with two individually adjustable heads", says Stefanie Flaeper, Managing Director at transfluid. The adjustable heads allow both right and left hand bending operations – the right bending head is still-standing and the left bending head is suspended.

He adds, "This design principle is very effective for small pipe diameters because the operation time is extremely short. Changing from one bending direction to another can be completed in 2.5 seconds." Furthermore, it is possible to equip each bending head with up to three tool levels.

Bending with rotating head
In the second bending concept, transfluid has optimised the machine's effectiveness onto one rotating head. This system is also extremely dynamic for larger pipe diameters from 30mm up to 90mm. Larger pipe dimensions can be bent right or left more efficiently. The concept is the same for pipe diameters of less than 30mm – all shafts are servo-electrically driven and there are two tool levels on each bending head as standard.

Practical options for greater efficiency
To free-form large radii, both machine versions can be equipped with a corresponding system. In modern bending technology, the use of loading magazines, automatic handling systems and robot-assisted production methods are becoming an integral part. Using the greater dynamism and flexibility of transfluid technology, bending processes can be implemented smoothly and effectively in the future, despite difficult installation space requirements.