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Sherwood Group strengthens aluminium extrusion bending solutions for automotive, rail, marine and construction applications
Sherwood customers can now draw on an established bending expertise that has been recently enhanced with the purchase of a new CSM 80MRE Bending Machine that can both Draw Bend and Push Bend.
February 2023
The CSM 80MRE Bending Machine located at Nevilles Precision in Pinxton is designed to bend tubes and non symmetrical sections with bespoke tooling.
“Aluminium extrusions typically require specialist knowledge, and higher levels of accuracy and care when being bent because aluminium has a tendency to work-harden and crack” said Steve Causer, commercial manager.
“We’re able to cater for a wide range of bending which delivers extrusions into sectors as diverse as automotive – trucks, buses, coaches, caravans, aerospace, construction, rail, marine, medical and leisure, curtain walling and office and interiors” he added.
As aluminium comes in several grades and tempers, it’s best to work with aluminium alloy 6063 T6 which has good formability, weldability and corrosion resistance or 6082 for architectural applications. 6082 is highly corrosion resistant and has good formability.
Sherwood Group customers can tap into three different methods of section bending.
Aluminium rolling
Rolling is an important technique when it involves preparing aluminium for various applications.
By moving the profile along three adjustable rolls, the profile is gradually formed into the desired shape.
The rolling process significantly increases the strength of the properties and structure of the aluminium.
Rolling is an ideal technique for (large) profiles and with various radii and complex cross-sections. It is the most flexible and cost efficient bending method. Standard profiles are bent with tools that are often already available.
In addition to two dimensional bending, a third dimension can be applied in the same rolling operation, such as a rise or twisting.
Mandrel bending
When rolling a (thin walled) profile in a small radius, there is an increased risk of tearing and straining. To prevent this, means of mandrel are used to bend the profile bending.
I need a special CNC mandrel bending machine for this technique and requires product specific equipment to limit deformation of the cross section to an absolute minimum.
Stretch bending
Stretch bending originated within the aviation industry, it is now also widely used for architectural, machinery, and automotive applications.
It is a very precise bending method in which the material surface remains in perfect condition and the diameter is distorted minimally. It is ideal, for example, for aluminium facade profiles, tent profiles and aerofoils, where the visual aspect of the application is very important.
We use a special stretch bending machine for this bending process. This firmly clamps the profile at both ends, tensions these and then pulls them back, around a mould.
In contrast to rolling, the profile does not come into contact with the machine.
New acquisitions and machinery investments across the group over recent months underpin the company’s positive view of the future and demonstrate how Sherwood remains on hand to help strategic partners continue to scale up in confidence.
Get in touch to discuss your aluminium tube or extrusion bending enquiries here
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