Choosing the right bending machines for your specific pipes and tubes is critical because it will allow you to reduce wear and tear on the machine, create optimal results, and improve the efficiency of production. So, how do you choose and compare tube-bending machinery?
The first step to choosing a pipe or tube bend machine is to understand the different parts and how they work together to produce results. Then, you can compare the different applications and features of the various types of tube-forming and bending machines to select the one that works best for your industry, goals, and materials.
Tube Bending Machine Parts and What They are Used For
What is a bender die used for? What about a mandrel? Understanding the parts of a metal pipe bending machine can help you compare different models to determine the best option for your industry and purposes.
While the main parts aren’t associated with all types of benders, the most important parts include the bend die, clamp die, pressure, die, wiper die, and mandrel. You also want to consider the tube bending software.
Bend Die

The bend die, or radius die, is the part of the machine that produces the necessary bends and forms. Different tube-bending die parts can create different radius bends, which is an essential component of creating the type of bends that you need for your manufacturing processes.
Clamp Die

The clamp die presses the tube onto the bend die and holds the pipe from slipping. This is not only necessary for creating accurate bends, but it also prevents accidents and mishaps during the machine tube bending process.
Pressure Die

The pressure die applies the right amount of pressure so that the tube or pipe precisely follows the bend die contours, and is an essential component for creating uniform bends. This is especially important for industries where extreme precision is a necessity.
Wiper Die

The wipe die prevents bumps, humps, and imperfections on the inside radius during the bending process. When the material becomes malleable during the process, it can result in wrinkles and other deformities, but machines with a high-quality wipe die help to smooth the surface and create virtually perfect results.
Mandrel

In a bending tube machine, the mandrel is only crucial for extremely difficult or precise jobs, particularly with small radii, thin tubes, or hard and dense materials. The mandrel will prevent the tube from collapsing during the strenuous or precise tube bending machine process.
Tube Bending Software

With modern electric tube bending machines, the software is another component to keep in mind that automates the tube bending formula. While you can get free tube bending software, premium pipe bending software can prevent mistakes, improve precision, enhance safety, and boost productivity for your tube bender process.
Applications for Different Types of Tube Bending Machines
There are many different types of bending machines, but each one offers its own set of pros and cons. When it comes to choosing the right option for your pipes and tubes, it’s necessary to compare the applications and features of each one.
Rotary Draw Bending Machine

This cost-effective bender is the most common type and learning how to use a tubing bender with these machines is typically pretty easy because the operator simply has to secure the material.
Then the rotary motion turns the bend die around the access to create a bend. You can also add a mandrel and wiper die to ensure better results, but that’s only necessary for complex jobs or materials.
What is a rotary draw pipe bend machine used for?
- Handrails
- Frames
- Automotive roll cages
- Handles
- HVAC industry
- Medical equipment
Ram Bending Machine

Another one of the more common bender types is the ram bender, also called a press bender machine. These are very simple to use and manually operate. The ram pushes against the pipe to determine the radius and the dies support the tube to prevent imperfections.
However, they are only a good option if the deformation of the cross-section is not an issue, which means they can’t be used for certain materials and applications.
What is a ram bending machine used for?
- Consumer products
- Square tubing applications
- Muffler shops
- Simple bends where accuracy and constant cross section aren’t very important
Roll Bending Machine

A roll pipe forming machine is an automated tubing bender designed for large radii bending. This large radius pipe bender has three rollers, two in a fixed position and one that is adjustable to determine the rube bends.
The movement of the rollers gradually performs the bending process with roll bending machines like MC150b Nargesa. Tube roll bending machines are very accurate with little cross-section imperfections.
What is a roll bending machine used for?
- Large coil bending machine applications
- Long bends with large radii
- Aerospace industry
- Complex curves with large radii
- Construction beams
Vector Tube Bending Machine

Vector tube bending machinery is designed for top-of-the-line results. While they work in a similar way as the rotary draw bending machines, this automated pipe bender is even more precise.
Additionally, these CNC tube benders are very efficient, easy to use, and can work as a steel pipe bending machine or bend other high-strength materials.
What is a vector tube bending machine used for?
- Aerospace industry
- Automotive industry
- Construction
- Medical Equipment
- Highly precise bends
- Bending high-strength materials
- High output applications
Orbital Head Bending Machine

Orbital CNC pipe bender machines are used for complex bending and formations and always have computer-operated controls. That means they can create efficient bends that are complex, precise, and 3-dimensional.
Plus, some models of the 3D tube bender also offer automated feeding and offloading, which is great for high-productivity manufacturing.
What is an orbital head 3D tube bending machine used for?
- High precision bends
- High output industries
- Air conditioning
- Tech
- Automotive
- Complex bending
CNC Bending Machines

CNC pipe bender machines are Computer Numerically Controlled bending machines and can include other types from above, but generally use a combination of presses, dies, and rollers to guide the tubes and pipes along the process.
CNC tube benders are more efficient, precise, and automated, which saves money, resources, and time.
What is a CNC tube roller machine used for?
- Highly precise bends
- Efficient output
- Automotive
- Construction
- Aerospace
- Medical
- Bending machine pipeline uses including heavy-duty applications
- Versatile with many options for a wide variety of materials and industries
How to Choose the Right Automatic Tube Bending Machine for Your Pipes and Tubes
To choose the right machine for bending tubes, you can start by narrowing it down based on type. There’s a good chance that not all of the manual and CNC bender machines above will work for your projects, so you can probably narrow it down. Then, you can consider whether you need a short radius bender or a large radius bender to narrow it down some more.
After that, compare select models for the types of manual and automatic CNC tube bending machines that could work. Compare things like precision, manufacturer reputation, efficiency, costs, simplicity of operation, and the types of materials the CNC pipe benders can form.
After you’ve narrowed it down, try to compare quotes and request a CNC pipe-bending machine diagram, how to use tube bender models, pipe-bender use cases, or additional information from manufacturers. That can help you decide the most cost-effective, durable, and productive option for your operations.
Click here to request a free CNC tube bending machine quote from Accurl today!