Bending Aluminum Pipe in small radius

[gcamlibel]

I want to bend 13mm OD with 1mm wall thickness aluminum pipe like attached picture.

Because of its small bending radius I have problems. It gets wrinkled or torned.

Is there anyone have experience on bending small tubes? Or any idea on this topic?

[CJL5585]

I have seen people who bend small tubing fill the tube with sand before bending to keep the problems you mentioned from happening.

It might work for you.

Jerry

[ViperTX]

Not sure what the radius is..looks like 7 or 8mm.....Not sure if you are trying to manually bend this or if you have a pneumatic/hydraulic bender (similar to what is used in automotive shops to bend exhaust pipe).....I believe the key is to make sure that the tubing you are bending is in a soft state (annealed)....usually the outside bend area is supported and a mandrel is slowly pushed into the bend area....gotta lube the parts to reduce the friction....If manually bending...then the sand method or an awfully large bend radius is required.

[DAB_Design]

I think I remember seeing tubing being bent with what seemed like a tight coiled spring around the bend area. Not sure if this helps.

[CJL5585]

After reading Dustin's Post it occurred to me that a coiled spring could also possibly be inserted INSIDE the tubing also for support.

Might be difficult to remove though. Also might work.
Jerry

[gcamlibel]

than you for all suggestions.

Do you have any photo or video about bending pipe with any hand tool?

[CJL5585]

12 mm - 29 mm Manual bender with video
http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm

6 mm - 10 mm Manual bender
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/s...g,brake,bender

Jerry

[DSL PWR]

For that tubing you want a swagelock tubing bender. They are expensive, but worth it. It works well with copper, steel and stainless steel tubing. I doesn't kink tear or crush the tubing. It's a handheld mandrel bender. You would need the 1/2 inch model for 13mm tubing.

http://www.swagelok.com/product.asp?...CTS&GroupDesc=

[Mcgyver]

What you are trying to do, end up with a smooth entry and exit from the curve on a small radius is very difficult. The usefulness of springs and sand runs out quickly when the radius is tight and aesthetics are important.

I needed a similar bend in smaller dia. copper, which, I'm guessing is easier than al. The problem is that it is really hard to avoid kinks or material build up along the leading edge. I've attached drawings and whatnot for a universal bender of my own design. There are two features to it 1) the former for the outside is linear and follows the pipe around the curve (circular rollers tend to plow up material along the leading edge), and 2) the traveling roller is on a cam so that you can tightly pinch the tube between the two formers.

It has since been built and works fairly well, although it was only designed for up to 3/8 copper. It will bend an inside radius almost to the tube dia. No rep and warranty on the drawings, but I think they are pretty close. There is also a tube straightening mill I did as well. Both look real nice and sit in a drawer with a 10^-8 duty cycle

[ViperTX]

Mcgyver....well I don't know if you got everything covered.....but, darn that is pretty impressive documentation. Thanks for sharing!

[gcamlibel]

thank you for sharing your knowlage and work

[Mcgyver]

thx & you're welcome. Viper i would have included photo's to, but don't the camera this week!