Tubing bending software

[toyobeater]

Hey i was wondering if you guys use any software to assist in those complicated bends, particularly the multiple bends per single tube. For instace is there a software where you program the size of die, tubing size, and it tells you where to begin the bend which will achieve the angle and lengths desired?

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[A&A Ford]

I use a program called rhino 2.0.01. I don't think it is exactly what you are looking for, but it is a 3-d modeling program, after you get everything where and how you want it, you disassemble it and take each file to like a kinkos and they will print off the life size. i used that to match the bends.

[Paul Jacobs]

What are you building?

[toyobeater]

I am building a mini formula car, I have a couple of hoops which have like 5 bends and it is nearly impossible to get it perfectly symmetrical with the JD bender. I was thinking of building a jig and do what you are doing, by printing them full scale. I have it all on solidworks, but wanted to see if there is a software that can tell me exactly where to place the tube in the bender. Someone should make one, I bet a lot of people would buy it

[Kbach66]

I am building a mini formula car, I have a couple of hoops which have like 5 bends and it is nearly impossible to get it perfectly symmetrical with the JD bender. I was thinking of building a jig and do what you are doing, by printing them full scale. I have it all on solidworks, but wanted to see if there is a software that can tell me exactly where to place the tube in the bender. Someone should make one, I bet a lot of people would buy it

Check out the software from Bend Tech. I've heard alot of good things about it, but never used it firsthand.

www.bend-tech.com

[Haycock]

i draw the piece on the ground with chalk in full scale with the line being the outside of the hoop, i dont draw the radius's, they are just strait lines. then i put a 90 deg bent piece of tube down on the lines (the bent piece has the start bend marked on it) and mark the start bend on to the line. then i put the tube im going to bend on the ground and line it up with the line then mark the start bend on the tube, then i bend it til it matches the drawling, then i mark the second start bend... and so on for all the bends. this probably does not make sence to u cus i cant explain it very well with out showing you but i hope it helps... its alot easier than i sounds... the 90 deg piece of tube i was talking about is easy to make and thats the key in making the bend start in the right place.

[151fab]

Read this artical it's exactly how you should start.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html

Buy a level base that clamps onto the tube, this will keep the bend on the same plane or you can change the plane as needed. Just remember to leave it on once you've started. This website sells many such cool tools. http://vansantent.com/index.htm

For more complex shapes you could use this software, it's generally considered the best low cost software out there. http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/

[151fab]

Found an even better angle/level with clamp. I'll definitly be placing my order for this one. They also have a software package for $129.00.

Go to Mittler bros. website and look around, lots of cool stuff:
http://www.mittlerbros.com/

Look under tubing bender accessories for the software, level, etc.:
http://www.mittlerbros.com/Tubebender_acc.htm

Some of you construction guys might already have a similar unit and would only need the base/clamp piece.

[Paul Jacobs]

If you have a JD2 bender you should have received a user manual that will walk you through finding the start points. It will be slightly different for each diameter tube. Using a test bend it will help you find where to start your bends. I know what you are saying when you mention that the bends are not symetrical, one side will always bend a little tighter than the other. You can reduce the problem that this causes by flipping the piece over and bascically make right and left hand bends.
If you can't find your manual check the JD2 website I am sure they have them in a PDF file.

Good luck

[Ron_Burgandy]

The issue with using the no-software route is not, not knowing what your doing, its just forgeting one little number or something and trashing an entire stick of tubing. I don't know how many times I thought it all through, and then, opps, forgot about that inch between the edge of the bender and the start of the bend, or some other similar issue.