New Guy - Hello :)

[MClark@COBBTuning]

Hey Guys New Here, Trying to bend Some Tube and there is a constant failure rate happening.

First a little about me, I'm the Lead Operator / Programmer Here at COBB Tuning on our New BLM Elect80 Tube Bender. I'm new to the Tube Bending industry and know about two months worth of knowledge when it comes to the Materials. I how ever am a fast learner and do pick up rather quickly.

Now onto my Issue. . . .

Machine : BLM_Elect80
Tooling: Bend Die 3"CLR
Material :
AL - 6061 T1 OD 2" &1/2" // ID 2.37" // WT .065 Seamless Round
AL - 6063 T52 OD 2" &1/2" // ID 2.37" // WT .065 Seamless Round
AL - 5052 T0 OD 2" &1/2" // ID 2.37" // WT .065 Seamless Round


With the 6061 It was first Ordered as T6, this was to Brittle to Bend, So It snapped on first bend. Then brought down to a T1. This Process Caused the tube to Oval. Wouldn't fit on the Mandrel and thus also Caused it to Snap.

With the 6063 T52 It showed up Oval and Had Varying Wall thickness. This material was set aside , Some of it was Oval Enough to Try and out of 10 bends only two worked.

With the 5052-0 It Appears it's as well To soft or To Brittle.
It snapped on first bend as well.

Can anyone lend any Ideas to how I may fix these issues?
I have already Changed the Pressures from the bender etc...

We are Leaning towards using the 6063 T52.
Wondering If a Heating Process Before Bending is suggested or anything else?

Thank you in Advance!!!

[Joefish]

Welcome new guy.

There might be someone here that can help....but this is mostly a sheetmetal shaping site.

Hope you can find the info you need.

[godspeed]

One, don't lube the dies.. The dies should stretch the outer material.
Two, the wall thickness maybe to thin for the dies you have.


Possiable fix..
Fill the tube with sand (weld pugs in the end) and try to bend it.

To bend thin stuff like that we have to use a mandrel bender..

[ironwork]

call allen at e-tek marine 732-269-0442 he can tell you what you need to do he is very helpfull

[MClark@COBBTuning]

Originally Posted by godspeed

One, don't lube the dies.. The dies should stretch
To bend thin stuff like that we have to use a mandrel bender..

It would prob help If I had Mentioned that it is a Mandrel Bender.
This Machine is similar to the one we have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyAyZW_LhpM

[Peter Tommasini]

HI and welcome
Peter

[kit]

Watch out for steam expansion if you heat a tube filled with sand that has had the ends sealed. VERY dangerous.

[carryallman]

ive bent lots of heat exchanger tubes /several times i had to heat up the tubing and anneal it ! or if the tube is too thick -fill w/sand and cap end w/taped plug ? might work?

[MClark@COBBTuning]

Waiting on a Sample of
AL - 6063 T52 OD 2" &1/2" // ID 2.37" // WT .065 Seamless Round

Been Bending Stainless Steel last week / this week like butter.