Measuring Tubing for Bending
People involved with the manufacture of tubular products know that measuring tubing for bending is essential but can also be quite challenging. Measuring raw tubes and cutting them to length is not too hard – although many of our customers do see length variation of tube batches coming into bending. However, when you start bending tubes, especially with some rotations to get fully 3D parts, trying to measure the shape gets difficult.
There are various methods for measuring bent tubes that have evolved over time. We’ve covered them before in another post: https://accurexmeasure.com/tube-measurement-comparison/
As we find ourselves one quarter of the way through the 21st century, many 20th century methods to measure tubing for bending remain in use but the best method for doing so is undisputable: the TubeInspect system.
Our topic today is how to measure tubing for bending. It requires just three really simple steps:
1. Select the inspection you want to run
2. Place tube in TubeInspect
3. Push the button
The TubeInspect digital, optical tube gauge will measure your tube in seconds. The BendingStudio software that runs TubeInspect provides very rich feedback about how the actual tube shape compares with its intended shape.
The Benefits of TubeInspect for Tube Bending Measurement
So this is not really going to be a “how to” article because if it were, it would finished already! Instead, we’ll explore a few of the many reasons WHY TubeInspect is the best way to measure tubes for bending.
Easy – Measuring bent tubes really is as easy as 1-2-3 above, where two of the three are a click or a button push. For this reason, anyone can learn to use TubeInspect in a few minutes. This is a big deal in the dynamic labor market for manufacturing in North America. Because it is so easy, the operator has almost no effect on measurements results. You will get the same result from operators who have been using the system for 5 minutes or 5 years.
Fast – TubeInspect will measure most tubes in about 10 seconds. More complex tubular assemblies may take a few seconds longer but are still remarkably fast. This is why a single TubeInspect system in a tube shop often supports 10 or more CNC tube benders.
Accuracy – The TubeInspect system accuracy is validated by measurement of a certified master tube. The larger TubeInspect P16.2 is specified to 0.085mm (0.0033”) and the smaller TubeInspect P8.2 is specified to 0.035mm (0.0014”)
Effectiveness of results – Most inspection methods are finished helping when they indicate if the part passes or fails inspection. Take for example, a tube gauge (a.k.a. checking fixture.) If the tube fits, then you are all set. If the tube does not fit the gauge, then you know it is not right. However, there is no numerical data to indicate how far out, and certainly nothing to indicate how to make it better.
TubeInspect provides interactive numerical and graphical communication of inspection results to show exactly how what you produced compared with the target. But it goes beyond “you have a bad part” and tells the operator exactly what to change to make a good part. It can even communicate those corrections directly back to the CNC benders. With TubeInspect, the time between first piece and producing good parts is compressed to be as short as possible.
Inspection capabilities – TubeInspect started as a tool for measuring automotive brake lines. For much of its history, TubeInspect was used to aid bender setup for tubes with square cut ends or simple fittings. It has expanded over time to encompass most of the measurement needs for tube bending shops, including tubular assemblies. The chart below provides examples of the many tube inspection capabilities that are available.
In summary, measuring tubes for bending can be very simple with the TubeInspect system. Because it is so easy, fast, reliable and effective, TubeInspect is a cost-effective way to elevate the productivity of tube bending operations for shops doing CNC tube & wire bending. Would you like to see a demonstration? Simply email info@accurexmeasure.com to request more information.