At TBSI, we offer a diverse set of forming capabilities to meet our customers’ various part and product needs. Our forming services include tube bending, CNC forming, CNC roll forming, and wire forming.
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Tube Bending
Tube bending is a forming process that permanently bends straight tubes into the desired shape. The bent tubes are commonly used in systems to alter the direction of fluid flow. Some of the factors that influence the quality of the component include the material, the tooling used, the amount of pressure applied, the type and amount of lubrication employed, and the bending geometry.
Types of Tube Bending Methods
There are many types of tube bending methods available, each of which is suitable for different projects. For example:
- Form-bound tube bending refers to tube bending processes in which the final form of the tube is dependent on the die used. These processes include press bending and rotary draw bending.
- Freeform tube bending refers to tube bending processes in which the final form of the tube is dependent on the tube’s movement through the die. These processes include roll bending.
- Cold tube bending refers to tube bending processes that occur at room temperature. These processes include press bending, rotary draw bending, compression bending, roll bending, and bending springs.
- Hot tube bending refers to tube bending processes that utilize heat to improve the tube’s plastic deformation characteristics during bending operations. These processes include heat induction bending and sand packing hot-slab bending.
Typical Bent Tube Components
Some of the products that are commonly made using tube bending include:
- Air conditioning system components
- Automotive parts
- Furniture frames
- Handles
- Instruments
- Stair railings
CNC Forming
“Forming” is a broad term encompassing all manufacturing processes that involve shaping and reshaping material into the desired shape. CNC forming refers to forming processes that use a computerized system to achieve this goal.
Equipment Used in CNC Forming Operations
CNC forming operations often utilize CNC brake presses to bend sheet metal and other materials. These machines feature a punch and die set. When the workpiece is placed between the two components, the machine forces the material onto the die. The result is a piece that has taken on the shape of the die.
Typical CNC Formed Components
Some of the products that are commonly made using CNC forming include:
- Brackets
- Cabinets and enclosures
- Conveyor system parts
- Material handling system components
- Store fixtures
- Tubular frames
CNC Roll Forming
CNC roll forming is a process that involves bending continuous strips of metal. It is commonly used to create long components with a consistent form.
Equipment Used in CNC Roll Forming Operations
The CNC roll forming process relies on sets of rolls mounted on consecutive stands. Each set incrementally creates small bends in the workpiece. This process gradually forms the material into the desired shape.
Typical CNC Roll Forming Components
CNC roll forming operations can be classified as cold rolling or hot rolling, depending on whether they are performed at room temperature or an elevated temperature.
Some of the products that are commonly made using CNC cold rolling include:
- Automotive brackets
- Computer cabinets
- Enclosures
- Engine canopies
- Food latches
Some of the products that are commonly made using CNC hot rolling include:
- Bus floors
- Doors
- Guardrails
- Pipes
- Rail tracks
- Steel bars
- Truck frames
Wire Forming
Wire forming is a forming process that involves the application of force onto a wire to alter its contour. It begins with coiled wire. After the wire is straightened, it is formed into the desired shape.
Types of Wire Forming Methods
There are many wire forming methods. Examples include bending, swaging, piercing, chamfering, and shearing. Together, these processes can achieve different shapes, forms, and configurations to accommodate the needs of the project.
Typical Formed Wire Components
Some of the products that are commonly made using wire forming include:
- Clamps
- Clips
- Hooks
- Pins
- Springs
- Wire baskets
- Wire displays
- Wire guards
- Wire screens
Forming Solutions From TBSI
Need help overcoming production constraints in your next forming project? Turn to the experts at TBSI! We provide customers with forming solutions that meet their specifications with competitive pricing and quick lead times. Whether you need tube bending, CNC forming, CNC rolling, or wire forming assistance, we’ve got you covered. TBSI also provides various cutting and machining services. To learn more about our forming services, contact us today. To get started on your next manufacturing solution, request a quote.