CNC tube bending services
A tube model does not by itself define the starting stock or how each bend is controlled. Share whether the size is actual tube outside dimension or nominal pipe size and schedule; profile, outside dimensions and wall; material specification, grade and condition; welded or seamless construction and seam orientation when controlled; centerline radii, angles, tangent points, straight and end lengths; length-rotation-angle (LRA/YBC) or XYZ coordinate convention; rotations, bend planes, handedness and end clocking; nearby features and mating interfaces; allowable ovality, flattening, wall thinning, wrinkling, collapse, cracking and surface marking; finished centerline, end-position and inspection requirements; quantity and timing so process, tooling, measurement and fulfillment fit can be confirmed before acceptance.
Capability review
This page describes common request types. Available processes, equipment, tolerances, inspection, documentation, and fulfillment are confirmed for each quote.
Overview
Tube bending plastically forms straight tube into specified angles, radii, and three-dimensional paths. Around a bend, the extrados is stretched and may thin, the intrados is compressed and may wrinkle, and a round cross-section may flatten or become oval; springback can change the released angle and radius. Material specification and condition, actual outside dimensions and wall, profile orientation, weld-seam position, centerline-radius-to-section and outside-diameter-to-wall relationships, straight grip and tangent lengths, bend sequence, tooling contact, and material variation all influence the review. A finished model should therefore be paired with the starting-stock definition, bend-coordinate convention, controlled end geometry, permissible deformation and marking, and an inspection state and datum scheme. These inputs support a project-specific review; they do not establish an accepted process, tool set, tolerance, result, documentation package, availability, or fulfillment route.
Identify actual tube outside dimensions and wall or nominal pipe size and schedule, round or shaped profile, material specification, grade and condition, welded or seamless construction, weld-seam orientation when controlled, finish, supplied-stock source, and any lot-consistency or surface-protection requirement.
Define every centerline radius, bend angle, tangent point, straight and end length, distance between bends, feed or length convention, rotation sign, plane of bend, bend direction and order, handedness, end clocking, trim basis, nearby features, and mating-interface datums.
State allowable ovality or flattening, minimum wall or wall-thinning limit, wrinkles, kinks, collapse, cracking, tooling or grip marks, surface damage, finished centerline or profile, bend angle and radius, end position and orientation, free or restrained inspection state, datum scheme, method, coverage, and requested records.
Fulfillment review
Requests are reviewed manually. The fulfillment route and availability are confirmed before acceptance.
Quote inputs
The quote form accepts private files or a written project description, plus optional process, material, material-source, quantity, and timing details. Tube bending is not a dedicated process choice in the current intake, so leave Process unset or select Other when useful and name CNC tube bending in the description.
Interactive request review
Select a review point on the fixed bent-tube image to see how bend and tangent geometry, the starting section and material condition, and rotation between bends connect to end orientation, deformation limits, and inspection scope.
Tube definition in one fixed inspection view
The open section, primary bend and tangencies, and raised terminal leg remain visible together while the request details change.
Illustrative example only; markers show request-review zones. They do not establish dimensions, material condition, bend or section conformance, end location, inspection acceptance, process route, equipment fit, or capability.
CNC tube-bending review
Select a review feature to see the details that help clarify the request.
Define each centerline radius, bend angle, tangent point, straight length, distance between bends, and the drawing or model convention used to locate the finished tube centerline.
Helpful tube-bending detail
For every bend, label the centerline radius, angle, tangent points, straight length, distance to the next bend, and the coordinate convention used by the drawing or model.
Capabilities
These examples organize the starting point. Process and tooling fit, achievable geometry and deformation limits, material and supplied-stock conditions, feature sequence, inspection scope, requested records, fulfillment, and timing are confirmed from the project files.
Requests reviewed from the finished centerline path, each CLR and bend angle, tangent points, straight and end lengths, bend-allowance or developed-length convention when provided, cut and trim basis, bend direction and handedness, permitted springback-compensation basis, deformation limits, surface requirements, and inspection datums.
Requests reviewed from one unambiguous XYZ or LRA/YBC definition, start end, feed or length convention, rotation sign, plane-of-bend reference, bend order, distance between bends, handedness, terminal-leg and end clocking, collision-sensitive geometry, mating interfaces, and finished-path acceptance.
Profile requests reviewed from actual tube dimensions or nominal pipe size and schedule, wall and corner radii where applicable, easy-way or hard-way bend orientation when relevant, material specification and condition, welded or seamless construction, weld-seam position, grain or extrusion direction when controlled, finish, marking limits, and allowable cross-section change.
Requests reviewed from end cuts and trim stock, flares or other end forms when specified, holes, slots, notches, copes, bosses, brackets and fittings, feature-to-tangent spacing, before-or-after-bend intent, interface datums, insertion depth, end orientation, weld or attachment definition, finishing sequence, protected surfaces, and fit-up or inspection method.
Quote workflow
A short, human-managed review keeps starting stock, bend coordinates, planes, ends, deformation limits, interfaces, inspection, and open questions visible before work is accepted.
Upload the finished model and drawing, bend table or coordinate data, starting tube or pipe specification, profile and wall, material and condition, seam requirement, bend radii and angles, tangencies and straight lengths, rotations and planes, end features and interfaces, deformation and surface limits, inspection definition, quantity, and target timing.
The tube-versus-pipe size convention, profile and wall, material condition, seam position, CLR and angle, tangencies, straight and end lengths, coordinate convention, rotation and bend-plane references, bend order, end clocking, nearby features, mating datums, deformation limits, surface requirements, and inspection state are organized for follow-up.
Process and tooling fit, achievable bend geometry and deformation limits, material and supplied-stock conditions, feature sequence, inspection method and scope, requested record fields, fulfillment, timing, and remaining questions are resolved before acceptance.
Once a request is accepted, the controlled drawing and model revision, starting-stock definition, bend data and coordinate convention, end and interface requirements, deformation and surface limits, inspection state, acceptance criteria, requested record boundary, quantity, timing, and authorized changes become the reference point for project communication.
Request readiness
Clear starting-stock, bend-path, plane, end, deformation, and inspection intent is more useful than a generic bend note or an assumed process result.
State whether the starting product is tube identified by actual outside dimensions and wall or pipe identified by nominal size and schedule. Add profile dimensions and corner radii for square, rectangular or shaped sections, plus the governing material specification, grade, condition, welded or seamless construction, and supplied-stock source.
Provide a finished centerline model plus a drawing or bend table that defines origin, axes, units, start end, bend direction, rotation sign, and whether dimensions are XYZ, length-rotation-angle (LRA/YBC), tangent-to-tangent, bend-center, intersection-point, or another stated convention.
Identify centerline radius rather than leaving inside or outside radius ambiguous, mark both tangent points, distinguish distance between bends from center-to-center distance, define straight and end lengths, developed-length or bend-allowance basis when controlled, and any trim stock or cut-after-bend intent.
Name the start and finish ends, show bend order and direction, define plane of bend and rotation between bends, mark handed variants, set the clock reference for terminal legs and end features, and identify end-face orientation and mating-interface datums.
Specify alloy or grade, temper, heat-treatment or hardness condition when applicable, welded or seamless form, allowed seam location through each bend, lot-consistency need, pre-existing finish, protected or cosmetic zones, permissible tooling and grip marks, and prohibited scratches or contamination.
State centerline or profile, angle, radius, distance-between-bends, end-position and end-orientation requirements alongside the ovality or flattening calculation, wall-thinning or minimum-wall basis, allowable wrinkles, kinks, collapse and cracking, free or restrained inspection state, datum and fixture scheme, measurement method, coverage, and requested records.
Materials
Material identity is one layer of the request. Exact specification, grade, temper or condition, tube form, dimensions, wall, seam, finish, bend geometry, deformation limits, supplied-stock context, inspection, and availability are confirmed for each project.
Stainless tube requests where exact alloy and annealed or cold-worked condition, welded or seamless construction, outside dimensions and wall, weld-seam orientation, CLR and multi-plane geometry, surface-protection and marking limits, springback basis, ovality and wall-thinning limits, end features, cleaning or finish condition, and inspection method need review.
304/304L · 316/316L examples
View materialAluminum tube and extrusion requests where alloy and temper, round or shaped profile, outside dimensions, wall and corner radii, extrusion seam or grain direction when controlled, bend orientation, CLR and angles, straight lengths, surface marking, flattening or cracking limits, springback basis, end geometry, and inspection state need review.
5052 · 6061 · 6063 examples
View materialCopper tube requests where alloy, temper, actual outside dimension and wall or product designation, starting hardness and finish, bend radius and angle, straight and end lengths, multi-plane rotation, surface-protection and cleanliness requirements, flattening, wrinkling and wall-thinning limits, fitting interfaces, and inspection method need review.
C10200 · C11000 · C12200 examples
View materialBrass tube and hollow-profile requests where exact alloy and temper, outside dimensions and wall, seam and surface condition, bend orientation and CLR, feature and end relationships, cosmetic or contact-surface limits, cracking, wrinkling, flattening and wall-thinning acceptance, mating interfaces, and inspection state need review.
C26000 · C27000 · C33000 examples
View materialRelated
Use these pages to organize adjacent fabrication, joining, finishing, inspection, and application requirements. A related route does not confirm a combined process plan, equipment, program eligibility, availability, or fulfillment path.
Bracket, tab, gusset, cover and plate requests associated with a bent-tube assembly where material and thickness, formed geometry, interface datums, hole and slot locations, bend sequence, weld or fastener access, finish, inspection, and supplied-item boundaries need review.
Bent-tube weldment requests where joint type and location, end preparation, gap and fit-up, fixture datums, tack and weld sequence, filler and process requirements, heat and distortion limits, protected surfaces, inspection, and requested records need definition.
Bent-tube finishing and assembly requests where cleaning, surface preparation, coating or finish specification, masking, plug or fitting insertion, hardware, sequence, handling, cosmetic boundaries, final interfaces, acceptance criteria, and packaging need review.
Bent-tube inspection requests where free or restrained state, fixture and datum scheme, centerline or profile method, bend angle and radius, rotations, end position and orientation, section dimensions, ovality, wall, surface condition, sampling, acceptance, and requested record fields must be defined.
Pre- or post-bend finish requests where coating type, sequence, inside and outside coverage, masking, drainage or vent features, tooling-contact restrictions, surface preparation, cosmetic zones, thickness or fit effects, handling, and inspection requirements belong in the review.
Bent-tube component requests for machine frames, guards, handles, supports and fluid-routing interfaces where loads and use environment, centerline path, clearances, attachment points, end orientation, mating datums, finish, inspection, and acceptance requirements need definition without implying current program support.
FAQ
Start with a private STEP or STP model and matching PDF drawing, a bend table when available, or a written project description. Identify tube or pipe size convention, profile and wall, material specification and condition, seam requirement, every CLR and bend angle, tangencies and straight lengths, rotations and bend planes, start and finish ends, end features and interfaces, deformation and surface limits, inspection definition, quantity, and timing. Tube bending is not a dedicated Process option in the current form, so leave it unset or select Other when useful and name CNC tube bending in the description.
Centerline radius, or CLR, is measured from the bend center to the tube centerline. It differs from inside and outside bend radius, so the drawing should name the intended radius convention. Pair each CLR with its angle, tangent points, straight and end lengths, profile orientation, and any bend-to-bend relationship so the geometry and tooling review starts from one definition.
Starting profile and dimensions, wall, material specification and condition, welded or seamless construction, seam position, CLR relative to section size, outside-dimension-to-wall relationship, bend angle, straight grip and tangent lengths, bend spacing and sequence, rotation between bends, end geometry, nearby features, surface-marking limits, allowable ovality, flattening, wall thinning, wrinkling and cracking, quantity, and inspection method all matter. The accepted route is confirmed from the complete request rather than a generic radius rule.
Use a controlled three-dimensional model plus one stated coordinate convention. XYZ can locate centerline points in a defined datum frame; LRA/YBC can define each feed or length, rotation, and bend angle. Name the start end, origin, axes, units, bend direction and order, rotation sign, plane-of-bend reference, tangent or bend-center convention, handedness, terminal-leg clocking, and end-feature orientation so two reviewers interpret the same path.
Inspection and documentation requirements can be reviewed during quoting. No certification or report package is implied until confirmed.
Include every requested adjacent operation in the drawing and description, including cut and trim basis, end forms, holes, slots, notches, copes, brackets, fittings, welds, surface preparation, coating, masking, hardware, assembly interfaces, sequence, inspection, and packaging. Process compatibility, sequence, combined scope, availability, and the accepted route are confirmed during review. Requests are reviewed manually. The fulfillment route and availability are confirmed before acceptance.
Start with the files you have
Share the finished tube model and drawing, bend table or coordinate data, starting tube or pipe definition, profile and wall, material and condition, seam requirement, CLR and bend angles, tangencies and straight lengths, rotations and bend planes, end features and interfaces, deformation and surface limits, inspection and record requirements, quantity, and timing. Pearson will follow up on the details that still need confirmation.
Request a tube-bending quote
