The DWCNC18 is a 3 axis CNC pipe bending machine in which all three motions — feed, rotation and bend — run on servo drives from a single stored program. It bends tube to Ø18 × 2 mm in carbon steel, to a maximum centerline radius of 120 mm.

It is the only machine in our range with a servo bend axis, and the fastest by a wide margin: feed to 1,200 mm/sec and rotation to 250°/sec. On small-diameter parts with many short segments between bends, the machine spends most of its cycle indexing rather than bending — which is exactly where that acceleration pays back.

What the Third Axis Changes

Y axis — feed (distance between bends, DBB). A servo carriage advances the tube to the start point of each bend, to ±0.1 mm, at up to 1,200 mm/sec.

B axis — rotation (plane of bend, POB). The tube rotates about its own centerline to set the plane of the next bend, to ±0.1°, at up to 250°/sec.

C axis — bend (degree of bend, DOB). Servo-driven to the programmed angle, up to 190°, at 45°/sec.

On our larger machines the bend arm is pushed by a hydraulic cylinder and positioned by a stroke limit. Here it is a controlled axis holding the programmed angle directly. That is the difference between a 2-axis and a 3-axis machine, and at this tube size it is affordable — at Ø168 mm it would not be.

Worth being precise about one thing: the bend axis is servo, but clamping still runs on a 1.5 kW pump with a 100 L tank at 12 MPa. The hydraulic system is far smaller than on the larger models, not absent. Anyone describing a machine in this class as fully oil-free is overstating it.

Technical Specifications

Capacity is stated for carbon steel. Stainless steel and high-strength alloys work-harden during bending and reduce the maximum wall — send your material grade with the enquiry.

Bend Radius on Small Tube

Maximum centerline radius is 120 mm, which on Ø18 mm tube is about 6.7D — a wider range than most machines of this size offer, and enough to cover gentle routing bends as well as tight ones.

Thin wall at tight radius is where small-tube bending gets difficult. At 2 mm wall on Ø18 the wall-to-diameter ratio is generous, but a correct mandrel and wiper die setup still decides whether the bend comes out round or flattened. Tell us the tightest radius on your drawing and we will confirm the tooling before quoting.

Applications

Automotive fluid lines. Brake, fuel and clutch lines, vacuum and coolant tubing.

Hydraulics and pneumatics. Rigid hard lines routed around machinery and mobile equipment.

Refrigeration and HVAC. Copper and steel connector tubing, condenser and evaporator circuits.

Medical, laboratory and instrument work. Frames, stands and small-bore tubing where repeatability matters more than capacity.

Furniture and appliance detail. Handles, trim, small frame components in volume.

These are parts made in the thousands, with many bends in several planes on short segments. Cycle time and consistency set the unit cost, not the value of the material being bent.

When This Machine Is Not the Right One

Tube diameter is a hard limit here, not a soft one. The dies, clamps and pressure dies are built around Ø18 mm; larger tube physically does not fit, regardless of wall thickness. If your work is above Ø18, look at the hydraulic range, which starts at Ø38 and reaches Ø168 × 8 mm.

The machine also carries a single die stack, so it bends one radius per setup. Parts needing two or three radii in the same piece require a multi-stack head — ask us about the 5 axis configuration.

And note the 1,700 mm feeding stroke. Longer finished parts are produced by repositioning the tube, so if most of your work exceeds that, tell us before ordering.

Tooling, Installation and Support

One complete die set for your specified tube OD and bend radius — bend die, clamp die, pressure die, wiper die and mandrel, with rod and linkage. Die sets are size and radius specific, so tell us every combination you plan to run and we will quote the full package rather than the machine alone.

At 800 kg and 3,200 × 800 mm the machine positions with a forklift and needs no foundation. Total connected load is 3.95 kW — the lowest in our range, and low enough that most workshops need no supply upgrade. Installation and operator training are available on site or remotely; wear items ship from stock. Warranty is [n] months on the machine and [n] months on the control system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 3 axis mean on a pipe bending machine?

Feed, rotation and bend are all servo-controlled and run from the program. On a 2-axis machine only feed and rotation are servo; the bend arm is hydraulic and positioned by a stroke limit.

Is this an all-electric machine?

The bend axis is servo rather than hydraulic, which is what the term normally means in this class. Clamping still uses a small 1.5 kW hydraulic pump. Total connected load is 3.95 kW against 15.8 kW on our smallest hydraulic-bend machine.

What is the largest tube it can bend?

Ø18 mm at 2 mm wall in carbon steel. This is a physical limit set by the tooling, not a force limit — larger tube does not fit the machine.

How many bends can it make in one part?

Up to 30 per programmed part, within the 1,700 mm feeding stroke. The control stores 500 part programs.

Can it bend copper and stainless tube?

Yes. Copper is easier than carbon steel; stainless work-hardens and needs more force at the same wall, so send the grade and wall thickness and we will confirm.

Can it be built for 60 Hz?

Yes. Standard build is 380 V / 50 Hz three-phase; 220 V or 480 V at 60 Hz is available to order. Specify your supply with the enquiry.

How long is delivery?

Standard lead time is [n] working days after deposit and tooling confirmation.

Send your tube OD, wall thickness, material grade, bend radii and annual volume, and we will confirm the configuration and quote within 24 hours.