When choosing a pipe bender machine, many people are not very clear about whether they need CNC pipe bender machine or a NC pipe bender machine, especially when buying a machine for the first time. In this article, we will talk about this problem

First of all, we need to know what is CNC pipe bender machine and NC pipe bender machine, and what are the main differences between them.

CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) pipe bender machine is also called fully automatic pipe bender. NC (Numerical Control) pipe bender machine is also called semi-automatic pipe bender.

The product essence of CNC pipe bender and NC pipe bender have no difference. The main applications are different due to the processing environment. Meanwhile, the equipment automation is different. CNC pipe bender uses servo motor to control each size and angle to complete automatic feeding, rotary and pipe bending. The NC pipe bender uses the hydraulic system for pipe bending, and the feeding and rotary need to be measured manually to complete the processing.

However, the positioning of pipe bender products is also different. The positioning of CNC pipe bender and high-end pipeline processing equipment adopt a complete set of products to automatically complete the processing of products at one time. For complex pipe bender products, it is very convenient and fast to complete the processing. One person can take care of two equipment, while the NC pipe bender can bend complex pipes. Because each dimension needs to be measured, one equipment needs two or three people to take care of to complete the processing, which not only wastes the cost in human labor, but also is inferior to the NC pipe bending machine in the accuracy of pipe bending processing.

Now that you know the differences between CNC and NC pipe bender, you still need to determine which one to choose. To make this decision, it's important to consider four main factors:

1. Number of bends per part – If you are doing single-bend parts, such as 90-degree elbows for electrical applications, a NC machine is often sufficient because it will usually make a single bend just as quickly and as accurately as a CNC machine. If you have multiple bends in a part, such as an exhaust system or a fuel line, a CNC machine delivers improved repeatability with less operator involvement and a high performance rate.

2. Quantity of each part – If you are doing custom work for headers on a racecar one day, a custom set of handlebars for your motorcycle on the weekend, and then a roll-cage for a dune buggy after that, a CNC machine may be more hassle than its worth. A NC machine offers greater flexibility and more control of custom, one-off parts. If there’s a likelihood that you will be making multiples of an item that has several bends in it, a CNC machine would be the better option because the part program can be stored and recalled at a later date.

3. Your business' future – In this ever-changing world, new opportunities are always being presented. While a CNC machine with less operator involvement may seem like the best option, keep in mind that an NC machine will generally do the same work as a CNC machine can do if you have a little extra time. If you foresee an increase in the demand for a product you're producing or developing, then a CNC machine may give you a competitive edge because you'll be able to run at a faster rate and have a lower cost per part over time when compared to a competitor who's using a NC machine to make the same part.