NC tube bending machines

MEMOLI floor-standing NC tube bending machines include the ETM series for mandrel-free bending and the semi-automatic ETM-H series with mandrel. The bending axis follows the angle entered on the screen, and the machine stops automatically and compensates for material springback. The ETM series runs from ETM 60 to ETM 150, bending steel tube up to Ø168 mm. Each machine stores 49 programs, with eight stop angles per program.

ETM 60 with mandrel, together with the ETM-H 50 and ETM-H 63 models, keeps thin-walled tube round. The ETM-H series has mandrel extraction and a hydraulic pressure die, with working tube lengths of 1.5 m, 3 m or 6 m. Dies are purchased separately according to tube diameter and bending radius. The content below explains how to select an NC tube bending machine based on the largest tube size handled in the workshop. Imported from Italy, suited to workshops machining tube.

MEMOLI NC tube bending machines in this product group

MEMOLI floor-standing NC tube bending machines control the bending axis with a numerical controller. The operator enters the bend angle on the screen and the machine stops exactly at the set angle. The controller automatically compensates for material springback after each bend. Feeding and rotating the tube between bend segments is still done by hand. A positioning table helps the operator hold the tube in the correct position.

This machine group sits between handheld tube benders and multi-axis CNC machines. All machines in the range are manufactured by MEMOLI in Italy. There are two main directions: the mandrel-free ETM series and the mandrel versions. Each machine stores 49 bending programs in memory. Each program holds up to 8 different stop angles.

Mandrel-free ETM series

The mandrel-free ETM series works with round tube, square tube and profile bar. A rotary die pulls the tube along the fixed radius of the die set mounted on the machine. The diameter range runs from Ø60 mm on the smallest machine to Ø168 mm on the largest. Users select the machine size according to the thickest tube the workshop bends regularly.

In the smaller size group, ETM-60- bends steel tube up to Ø60 x 4 mm and solid round steel up to Ø45 mm. ETM-80- raises the limit to steel tube Ø76 x 6 mm and stainless steel tube Ø76 x 4 mm. These two machines suit medium-sized steel and stainless steel tube in frame structures.

In the larger size group, ETM-90- bends steel tube Ø90 x 6 mm and aluminium tube Ø90 x 10 mm. ETM-120 works with steel tube Ø114 x 8 mm and aluminium tube up to Ø140 x 7 mm. Solid round steel on the ETM 120 can be bent up to Ø85 mm.

The largest machine in the series is ETM-150, bending steel tube up to Ø168 x 10 mm. Aluminium tube on this machine reaches Ø168 x 15 mm and stainless steel tube Ø168 x 7 mm. Solid round steel can be bent up to Ø120 mm. This machine size is intended for workshops processing large-diameter, thick-walled tube.

Mandrel tube bending machines and the semi-automatic ETM-H series

Thin-walled tube is prone to collapsing at the bend area when bent without an internal mandrel. A mandrel machine places a mandrel rod inside the tube right at the bending point. The tube wall is supported from the inside, so the cross-section stays close to its original shape after bending. This machine direction is intended for work that requires the tube to remain round after processing.

ETM-60-MANDREL uses a fixed mandrel for steel tube up to Ø50 mm. The die clamp and pressure die on this machine close by cam. That configuration suits workshops needing a mandrel machine in the small tube size range. The machine still keeps the numerical control of the bending axis like the other machines in the group.

The ETM-H series is a hybrid machine group for thin-walled tube. The bending step runs automatically, while feeding and rotating the tube between bend segments is done by hand. The machine is equipped with a mandrel extraction mechanism, die clamp and hydraulic pressure die. The working tube length comes in three levels: 1.5 m, 3 m or 6 m.

The sizes within the ETM-H series are classified by the working steel tube diameter. ETM-H-50- is for steel tube Ø50 x 2.5 mm. ETM-H-63- works with steel tube Ø60 x 3 mm. These two sizes serve thin-walled steel and stainless steel tube in the manufacture of tubular components.

In the larger sizes, ETM-H-80- bends steel tube Ø76 x 3 mm. ETM-H-90- takes steel tube Ø90 x 3 mm. Both retain the hydraulic configuration and mandrel extraction mechanism of the ETM-H series. The ratio between diameter and wall thickness shows that the machines target thin-walled tube.

How to select an NC tube bending machine for workshop needs

The first selection step is based on the largest and thickest tube the workshop usually bends. The machine size should cover that limit, rather than being chosen right at the edge of its capacity. Next, consider the tube material, since the limits for steel, aluminium and stainless steel differ on the same machine. The specifications for each size are stated on the detail page of each code.

The second criterion is whether a mandrel is needed. Thick-walled tube with less demanding shape requirements can use the mandrel-free ETM series. Thin-walled tube or parts that must stay round call for a mandrel machine. For long tube, the working tube lengths of 1.5 m, 3 m or 6 m in the ETM-H series are the basis for selection.

Bending dies are not supplied with the machine and are purchased separately. Each die set corresponds to one specific tube diameter and one specific bending radius. When preparing an order list, list all the diameter and radius pairs required. The number of die sets directly affects the range of work the machine can handle.

Operating limits and expansion directions

The memory of 49 programs with 8 stop angles per program serves repeated parts. The operator recalls an existing program instead of entering angles from scratch for each batch. Tube feeding and rotation still depend on manual handling. Production rate is therefore tied to the operator's speed at the positioning table.

For large batches and parts with many consecutive bend segments, a multi-axis CNC tube bending machine is worth considering. The NC group suits medium batches, varied parts and a compact investment. When comparing the two directions, the number of bend segments per part is the clearest basis.

See the detail page of each code in the group to compare diameter, wall thickness and mandrel configuration before ordering.