Custom Tube Bending is Ideal for Plastic Piping Kits

When we think of tube bending, we often associate it with metal manufacturing applications, and soft metals that can be bent in large and small radiuses for different purposes. Yet for many industries, such as certain chemical and life sciences manufacturers, metals are problematic because the chemicals that are being produced can erode the material.

In addition, corrosion of the metal weld can enter the chemical during processing, contaminating the product and making it unusable. In these instances, OEM companies require piping kits made of non-metals, which cannot include metal welds that could flake off into their processes.

Here at Axenics, we are a contract manufacturing organization and component manufacturer with decades of experience in custom precision tube bending. While we offer metal tube bending to manufacturers, we are also experts in plastic tube bending, with the ability to create a variety of shapes and angles using a variety of plastic piping.

Custom Tube Bending using Plastic Materials

Axenics works with a wide range of plastic materials to create piping kits and tubing assemblies. Our technicians commonly work with polytetrafluoroethylene, which a is thermoplastic material used in many different types of industries around the world. Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is chemical resistant.

So, for chemical manufacturers and biomedical industries, this plastic is ideal for the transport of corrosive liquids. In addition to working with PTFE, we also work with plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) as well as many others.

Our custom tube bending processes can be used on pipes as small as 1/16 inches, and up to 2 inches. We have developed proprietary technologies that are used to bend plastic pipe that avoid kinking of tubes and pipes. Kinking is undesirable because chemicals and other liquid materials can become trapped or caught up in the kinked part of the plastic. This can hamper the flow rate and slow down production processes. It can also allow the liquid to build up and possibly congeal or dry into the kink, forcing manufacturing companies to constantly clean and sterilize their piping to clear out the trapped liquid.

For manufacturers who are worried that any contaminants will enter their liquids or chemicals from the piping itself, Axenics can perform tube bending processes in a Class 100 Clean Room. We receive raw tubing that has been professionally cleaned and bagged by the plastic supplier. This process reduces the number of contaminants on the plastic from the start, reducing what can enter our clean room as we perform the custom tube bending to meet your specifications.

Increasing Productivity without Decreasing Workspace with Custom Tube Bending

With our proprietary custom tube bending methods for plastic materials, Axenics can provide more options on how manufacturers can connect their plastic piping. By employing tube bending in the right circumstances, we can create a variety of shapes and bends that can decrease the number of joints and fittings required in a certain space or assembly. This can save companies money in the long run as they won’t need to purchase tees, elbows and other joints to redirect the plastic tubing in the desired direction.

Offering a range of tube bending configurations, piping materials, and proprietary bending methods has allowed Axenics to lower the costs of bending services, which allows us to share this savings with our manufacturing clients. This means they get tube assemblies bent and joined according to their specifications, allowing them to quickly assemble the tubing or piping kits into their production processes without diminishing the amount of available workspace for employees. This means our clients can increase their production capabilities without increasing workplace expenses, while still building operations that suit the company’s objectives.

If you’re considering working with a contract manufacturing company, it’s important to analyze a variety of factors before making a choice. Above all else, your choice should ultimately be about much more than the cost of the services. It should also be (and maybe even more so) about the value of the services being provided.

We understand cost matters. Everyone wants to get the best quality of products and services for the best possible price. However, there are times when quality takes precedence over price. When it comes to manufacturing, the quality of the products — from individual components to complex assemblies — really matters. If you’re looking for a contract manufacturing partner that values quality as much as you do, it’s worth paying the price.

When reviewing quotes from contract manufacturing providers, you may want to take the following into consideration before making a final choice:

1. What’s Included?

When reviewing a quote from a contract manufacturer, it’s important to understand what is included in the price. Are they just quoting you for materials and labor? If so, it’s possible that there will be some hidden costs that get added on, such as overhead fees for equipment and tooling, as well as any packaging or shipping that they might provide for you as well. Be sure to outline as specifically as possible what you want the company to do for you – beyond the manufacturing – so you can get a clear picture of the total cost. Otherwise, you may think they’re pricing is better than the competitor’s while the services aren’t comparable.

2. What’s Their Skill Level?

Don’t assume that all contract manufacturers provide the same level of skilled labor. It’s important to verify the expertise of the technicians that will be doing the work for you. It’s also important to verify what certifications and processes the company has in place to ensure the project is completed to specification, and on-time. Ask for copies of any applicable certifications, and take a look at online reviews, testimonials and information provided on their website, so you can confirm the expertise of the company you’re considering working with.

3. Do They Offer Quality Testing?

Some contract manufacturers may not clearly indicate whether they offer quality testing services along with – or as a part of – their fabrication services. This is a highly valuable service, because it ensures the quality of the components and/or assemblies produced matches industry standards, as well as any specific requirements your organization may have. If this service is included, it will be reflected in the price.

4. Is it a One-Time Project, or Ongoing?

If you have a contract manufacturer that you use for ongoing work, the price estimate you receive for additional projects may be lower than if you were to price out a new provider for a one-time project. Contract manufacturers often negotiate volume discounts from material suppliers, and will pass on some of that savings to you. If, however, they are being hired for a one-time gig, or one that requires uncommon materials, the estimate may be higher. It’s important to keep this in mind when shopping for a contract manufacturer.

Ask for a Bill of Materials

All of the above can be verified with a detailed bill of materials (BOM), which reputable contract manufacturers should always provide to you. The BOM should include specific information about what is included in the quote, and the factors affecting the total. This empowers you to make an educated decision about which contract manufacturer can best meet your quality needs, while also meeting your budget limitations.

Remember – the lowest quote is not always necessarily the best. Be sure to consider the contract manufacturing services being provided, the expertise of the company, the quality of products and services delivered, and the potential for long-term cost savings opportunities. The value of working with the right contract manufacturing company is often worth a slightly higher price tag.

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