How To Choose The Right End-forming Machine To Get Its Benefits?

The end formation technique is an extensive term that involves a wide number of different processes. This process involves a lot of end finishing techniques that help with changing the shape of a tube. The conventional methods might not work to give you the perfect accuracy. This is where an end-forming machine can come into the picture with all the latest technology included and added features to carry out processes in tube manufacturing such as ram forming, expanding, beading, flaring IO sizing, etc.

What is the end-forming process?

Generally, the end forming process is carried out in manufacturing hollow tubes. The process aids in shaping the ends of the tube. With the use of a reliable end-forming machine, one can achieve several different shapes with tubes and pipes. These machines are abundantly used in different industries such as construction, automotive, air conditioner, and other engineering industries.

Since there are numerous machine options for end-forming applications. It can be quite confusing to determine which type of end-forming tools would be correct to apply in your process. But for that, you must also know which end-forming process you need to use.

Determining the type of end-forming process

To establish the type of end forming process you want to use, first confirm what the starting shape of the tube is. Some of the common shapes are round, oval, and square shapes a tube begins with. Then decide on the final shape of the tube you desire. Like whether you want a square, circular, rectangular, or flaring shape.

For instance, if you want the tube to get a flared shape, then you need an end-forming machine to carry out the flaring process. Also, know about what tolerance the tube requires. Which would help in determining how much you can manipulate the tube with the end forming tool.

Every end-forming process has a certain requirement for specific tooling, and some processes even require using different machinery that comes with their own set of advantages and application features. The end-forming machines can configured with single or multiple working stations. It is the tube’s size, the material used, and its end users which would help you determine which end-forming process you need to use for the desired tube application.

Application of tube end forming process

Many tubing applications require tube end forms. These end forms are utilized in creating various types of connections with other tubes, hoses, or any other media. Although cold-end forming has used for a long time, the automotive sector has significantly revolutionized it. Research into stronger end forms has driven on the lookout for cleaner, lighter, and better ways to move fluids through the systems present in automobiles.

To reduce the chance of leaks, tolerances have tightened. Brazing has also eliminated, which has led to some superior designs. All these inventions behind the tube end form have made it an essential component of the fluid management systems used in several product manufacturing processes.

End forming is quite popular in producing a wide range of auto parts. Auto parts that involve end-formed tubes include catalytic convertors, gas lines, and fuel and oil filters. The majority of car parts producers use tube shrinking and expansion at the very end of the manufacturing process to assure that the end-formed tube will fit correctly into other media. This way, there would be zero waste without any metal cutting.

Different types of end forming

Shrinking Tube

The end-forming machine with a reducer tool can used to reduce tubing. Such an end-forming machine would have segmented tooling featuring segmented jaws with a fixed cone on the outside of the tube.

Expanding Tube

These machines can help with expanding the tube’s diameter by utilizing the tapered mandrel and segmented fingers in the tube.

Ram Forming

To enlarge plugs and reduce rings using segmented tooling. Ram forming machines use a sequential vise and ram operation. In Ram forming, the tube is clamped in a vise while the ram pushes a stopper or ring over it to achieve the desired size. The ram forming tools can help with reducing, expanding, bending, flaring, etc., with the tube formation.

ID/OD single-head sizing

ID/OD single-head sizing machines can help provide perfect accuracy in forming both inside and outside tube diameters. There is tooling present for implementing inside expanding fingers and outside reducing jaws.  

Rotary Spinning

The rotary spinning end forming machine is mainly utilized for getting spherical flares with a sequenced vice and rotary spin flare with a set of forming rollers.

You can create tubes that are more specifically tailored to your needs by the use of appropriate end-forming equipment. Unlimited control options also provide you the freedom to change different OD and tube thickness requirements independent of the material type.