The Secret to Mandrel Bending

Cutaway showing how mandrel spheres support the bend area.

One of the least understood concepts of mandrel bending is exactly how the tube is formed over the mandrel.
Here is the secret we where let in on by Ercolina.

Depending upon material, wall thickness and radius, the mandrel may have several articulating spheres on the leading end. During the bend, the mandrel is positioned to a set point forward and the spheres then pivot with the material to support it during the bend.

Ercolina’s mandrel bending machines utilizes an anticipated mandrel retraction setting to extract the mandrel from the bending zone hydraulically before the bend is completed to minimize deformation at the end of the bend. This feature is standard and programmable on all Ercolina mandrel bending machines.

3.000″ x .065 wall Ercolina Mandrel

Have you ever noticed that the mandrel shank bodies are always .010″ larger than the mandrel spheres?

The reason for this is so mandrel spheres don’t get caught in the clamp die areas. Now you know something your buddy probably does not!

Call and talk to a knowledgeable Ercolina representative at 800-278-8251 to discuss your bending requirements today!