Induction Pipe Bending Machine

Pipe bending is a process wherein the pipe to be bend is heated to a specified temperature by high frequency induction heating coil and bending is done in hot condition. The pipe is clamped at the forward end by the radius arm clamp. The tail end of the pipe is locked in the pushing carriage clamp. The pushing carriage moves on the main track as it is fitted with a chain, which is driven by a DC Motor at a fixed constant speed through a gearbox.
When current is supplied through high frequency current transformer to the coil, heating of pipe starts. The heating temperature is strictly controlled depending upon the material of the pipe and its wall thickness. When the specified temperature is attained, the DC Motor is started at a preset speed which drives the pushing carriage in the forward direction. As a result the pipe begins to advance being bent simultaneously.

Immediately after the bending process, quenching will follow. The Radius Arm is designed so that the pipe will be bent by the same distance as the one between the center of a pair of rollers and the axis point of the arm. The arm rotates in natural mode around the pivotal point. The heated portion begins to transform its elasticity due to the difference of strength between the heated and unheated portion of the pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PIPE BENDING MACHINE :-

Pipe Bending Machine consists of the following :

1. Hydraulic system.
2. Induction heating unit.
3. DC drive system for constant movement of pipe during bending.
4. Water cooling system for quenching.
5. Optical pyrometer for temperature monitoring.
6. Air cooling system.
7. The mechanical system.

1. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM :-

The hydraulic system consists of a power pack and is designed for 10,000 Psi working pressure.

It consists of total of twelve cylinders and are used as follows:
Two cylinders for clamping the pipe on pushing carriage.
Two cylinders for clamping the pipe on forward carriage.
Four cylinders for fixing the pivot base in pivot track.
Four cylinders for fixing the forward carriage on radius arm.
The hydraulic system is equipped with special type of return valve.

2. PIPE HEATING UNIT :-

The Pipe Bending Machine is equipped with 500 KW, 1 KHZ power supply; a matching transformer kept on a matching transformer stand which can be moved in three direction viz. forward/reverse; up/down and left/right direction and so the air, induction and water quench coils are concentric.

3. DC DRIVE SYSTEM :-

DC drive system consists of a DC motor and a gearbox. The DC motor is run with a DC drive. The DC motor is fitted with a taco generator to have a precise speed control. The pushing is controlled with a chain mechanism, DC motor & gear assembly in forward and reverse direction.