Did you know that January is one of the busiest times of the year for machinery breakdowns? Many problems occur because everything has been shut down over the Christmas and New Year period. It can mean tube benders and other machines have been sitting for days or weeks. Then, when you try to start them up, problems can appear. It can lead to serious issues. As a top provider of tube bending services, we want to have a look at the essential checks you should do here. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of doing them regularly for tube benders.

Heat exchangers

One of the most important things to look at is the heat exchangers. They are essential, ensuring hydraulics don’t overheat and damage parts. However, if you don’t use benders for a period of time, sediment in the water in a heat exchanger can settle. This can harm the exchanger’s performance and lead to overheating.

The best thing to do here is ensure you are using water with a low volume of sediment. If you won’t be using a bender for a period of time, you could even turn the water off so there is no liquid sitting in the heat exchanger. Just remember to turn it on again and let the system fill before you start using the machine again.

Chillers

Some tube benders will also have a chiller for effectively cooling the hydraulic oil. It’s a good idea to check the system regularly to make sure it is working properly. Additionally, a thorough clean will be necessary periodically. This will ensure efficiency and help to maintain your ability to offer quality tube bending services.

Batteries

CNC tube benders typically have batteries to ensure the machines have power to maintain key parameters when the mains supply is off. As a result, you could have issues if they die overnight or during a long shutdown period. It may end with machines unable to start and needing to spend time setting them up again. The best thing to do is ensure batteries are reliable. Replace them periodically to reduce the risk.

Lubrication

It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of lubricating all key points regularly, including bearings. This will keep them running effectively and reduce wear and tear. If a tube bender has been off for a while, fresh lubrication is wise.

Check the tooling

One of the best things about tube benders is the tooling can last a very long time. It’s still important to ensure you maintain it effectively to avoid problems. Most importantly, inspect and clean your tools every so often. Oiling them can help too.

Speak to us if you want to arrange tube bending services

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd knows how important it is to maintain equipment like tube benders effectively. Being proactive can improve performance and the quality of the products we deliver. Crucially, it prevents shutdowns and improves the lifespan of key components like bearings.

If you want to arrange fantastic tube bending services, please contact us. We work with a variety of materials, including steel, aluminium, copper, and more.