Tube Bending Services
Artemis 3D offers precision tube bending services for round metal tube stock to meet your needs.
Instant online quoting, DFM feedback, and competitive lead times. ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, AS9100D certified. ITAR registered.
Overview of Tube Bending
Tube bending consists of a series of manufacturing processes that alter the shape of a pipe or tube to create the desired geometry or features that meet specific requirements. In the process, tube stock is loaded into a bending machine which uses mechanical forces to push the tube against dies and rollers that cause the tube to conform to a shape.
Tubes can be bent two-dimensionally where the openings remain on the same plane or in three dimensions where they sit on different planes. Multiple bends are allowed in CNC tube bending, reducing the need to weld or fabricate a complex shape with elbow and straight tube sections.
Artemis 3D offers a full suite of custom tube bending services for your application with instant online quoting, DFM, and competitive lead times. Whether you are looking for standard rotary draw tube bending or highly precise mandrel tube bending, Artemis 3D offers different processes to meet your requirements for tube fabrication services in both low and high volumes.
Tube Bending Sizes and Tolerances
Our tube bending service is built around typical industry standards to ensure a smooth manufacturing experience. Artemis 3D can achieve tighter tolerances after a manual review by one of our project engineers.
Size Specifications
Tolerance Specifications
View more standards on our manufacturing standards page.
Tube Bending Material Options
Artemis 3D's tube bending services are for creating custom round tubes in a variety of shapes and materials
Stainless Steel 304 and 316
Welded or Seamless
Resistant to rust and corrosion, making them ideal for outdoor, wet, or salty environments. 316 has slightly better corrosion resistance than 304.
Aluminum 6061
Extruded or Drawn
A stiff, lightweight tube that won't rust. It is heavily used in lightweight frames and aircraft parts.
Alloy Steel 4130
Seamless
An extremely strong and tough tube used in race cars and aerospace structures. Seamless reduces failure points in this material making it ideal for critical applications.
Steel A513
Type 1 HREW, Type 2 CREW, or Type 5 DOM
A go-to for general use. DOM is smooth and strong for car parts; HREW is less expensive and good for simple structures; CREW is cold-formed for better strength and finish.
| Material | Minimum O.D. | Maximum O.D. | Min Wall Thickness | Max Wall Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel 304 | 0.250" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.188" |
| Stainless Steel 316 | 0.250" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.120" |
| Aluminum 6061 | 0.250" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.188" |
| Steel 4130 (Chromoly) | 0.375" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.188" |
| Steel A513 Type 5, DOM | 0.250" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.188" |
| Steel A513 Type 1, HREW | 1.000" | 2.000" | 0.065" | 0.120" |
| Steel A513 Type 2, CREW | 0.500" | 2.000" | 0.035" | 0.065" |
See additional details on our standard tube sizes page.
Tube Glossary
Understanding tube manufacturing terminology
Welded
Welded tube is made by rolling a flat piece of metal into a tube shape and then welding the edges together.
Seamless
Seamless tube is made without any welding. It's formed by heating and stretching a solid piece of metal until it becomes a tube.
Extruded
Extruded tube is made by pushing heated metal through a shaped opening. This process can create complex shapes and is commonly used for aluminum.
Drawn
Drawn tube is made by pulling a tube through a smaller die, making it more precise and stronger. Extruded and welded tube stock can be drawn.
DOM
Drawn Over Mandrel is like drawn where welded tube is drawn over a mandrel after welding to improve strength and finish.
HREW
Hot Rolled Electric-Welded tube is made from hot-rolled steel. This is a less expensive tube used for general purposes.
CREW
Cold Rolled Electric-Welded is similar to HREW but made from cold-rolled steel giving it a slightly better surface compared to HREW.
Design Tips for Tube Bending
When it comes to tube bending, there are a few things you can do when designing your parts to ensure a smoother quoting and manufacturing experience.
Consistent Center Line Radius
For multi-bend parts, maintain a consistent center line radius (CLR)
Bend Radius Ratio
We recommend a bend radius to tube diameter ratio of 2:1 to 5:1, no greater than 6", using the center line radius (CLR)
Bend Distances
Bend distances should be at least 2X the outer diameter for tubes less than 1", 3X for 1"-2", and 4X for tubing with outer diameters greater than 2"
Cut Features
Assume normal-to-surface cutting for cut features and end conditions
Recommended Center Line Radius to Outer Diameter
Beyond the bend distance guidelines, Artemis 3D has found the following tube diameter (OD) to center line radius (CLR) combinations more readily available across a broad network. Note: CLRs under 2X the OD are at a higher risk of manufacturing issues, especially when paired with thinner wall thicknesses. We recommend holding CLRs above 2X the tube OD for projects.
It is recommended that single tubes contain only one CLR for ease of manufacturability.
Capabilities
Artemis 3D offers a full range of tube bending capabilities and pipe bending services
Mandrel Tube Bending
This method (also known as mandrel bending) is similar to rotary draw bending; however, it fully retains the internal tube profile throughout the bend. This process is accomplished using internal support known as a mandrel that preserves the structure of the tube during bending, ensuring that little to no unwanted deformation occurs.
Rotary Draw Tube Bending
By far the most popular method, rotary draw benders use a clamping die, radius (or bend) die, and pressure die to hold the tube to form during the entire bending process. The tube is clamped to the bend die and is "drawn" around the other dies via hydraulic or electrical power, resulting in a highly accurate and repeatable bend.
Roll Tube Bending
In roll tube bending (also known as roll bending), three dies (or rollers) are used to lock down the tube, where a piston presses down on the tube, and the operator "rolls" the pipe through the machine, causing a gradual bend (also known as an arc).
Compression Bending
With compression bending, the tube or pipe is clamped in place, and force is directly applied, which creates the bend. This process is primarily utilized for single bend applications. No internal support is used with compression bending, which typically produces an oval cross-section and may result in crushing of the bend.
Industries Served
Tube bending can be utilized across a diverse set of industries. From architectural and lighting fixtures in buildings to vehicle exhaust systems.
Why Choose Artemis 3D for Tube Bending?
Easy to Use
Access hundreds of service suppliers through our easy-to-use platform.
Vetted Network
We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become network suppliers make it through our qualification process.
Expert Help
Our team of Application Engineers and Process Specialists are available to support you and provide answers to all of your fabrication and manufacturability questions.
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