Understanding Automatic Pipe Benders: Functions, Benefits, and Applications

Summer is coming. Soon the temperature will be so high that it will be unbearable to not turn on the air conditioner. While we enjoy the gentle cooling breeze from the air conditioner, people seldom notice that there are a few pipes attached to the air conditioner. But not just the air conditioner, pipes can be seen at so many places. The pipe has played an important role in our daily life. We need to pipe to transfer the fresh air from the outside to the inside of the house. The pipe can also serve as the route for the flowing water. Without the pipes, there will be no fresh water and fresh air in the house. However, in order for the pipe to be fitted into the house, it will need to be bent into different angles to fit the structure of the house. So how can we make this happen? Fortunately, we have invented an equipment to do the work for us, the automatic pipe bender. 

What is a pipe bender?

Since the automatic pipe bender is a type of the pipe benders, we need to understand what pipe benders are so we can comprehend what automatic pipe benders are. A pipe bender is a type of device which is used to bend pipes of different materials, such as ones made of copper and stainless steel. The pipe bender can form various angles and curves from the metal piping. The pipe bender can be classified into four main categories, which are the manual pipe bender, the hydraulic pipe bender, the electric pipe bender, and the mechanical pipe bender. 

Automatic pipe bender

Now that we know what a pipe bender is, we can start to talk about the automatic pipe bender. The automatic pipe bender is different from some type of the pipe benders which have to be used manually. The automatic pipe bender is capable of bending the pipe automatically. Several features can be found on the automatic pipe bender. For example, there are two separate end-finishing units which are located at the rear part of the automatic pipe bender for all the necessary flaring and expanding. Within the system, there are also devices such as the high speed clampless swager and the internal expander to help the automatic pipe bender perform its function. The automatic pipe benders also come with the quick change bending dies. It is also possible for the automatic pipe bender to be controlled digitally. Some models of the automatic pipe benders also have the ability to bend the pipe to 180 degrees. There is also a long stroke bending cylinder which is used to replace the pusher block extensions for some small-radius die bending operations. 

Types of the bend

Now that we understand what pipe benders are and what automatic pipe bender are, let’s now talk about several types of bend which can be applied to the pipe. When bending the pipes, depending on what kind of obstacle people are trying to overcome or which direction they want the pipes to go, there are several different types of bends that can be applied to the pipes: 

● 90 degree stub up bend

A 90 degree stub up bend is the type of bend which will turn the piece of piping into a 90 degree or a shape which resembles the letter L. The 90 degree stub up bend is commonly used by the electricians and the plumbers. Applications such as to run the conduit into electrical boxes, to plan the pipes up and down through the walls, and to run the pipe into the walls through the floors and the ceilings can all make good use of the 90 degree stub up bend. 

● Offset bend

The offset bend is the type of bend which is made of two equal degree bends located in the opposite directions. The offset bend is often utilized to move the pipe around an obstacle or to help the pipes go up the steps or the slope. Depending on the location and the path, the angle of the offset bend can vary. These days, the offset bend is mostly used to create a staggered joint and the change in elevation of the path.