Hydraulic Elbow Cold Forming Machines
Stop Heating. Start Saving.
Precision cold forming for 1D and 1.5D carbon & stainless steel elbows.
Save 30-50% on energy and 10-20% on materials. No heating furnace required.
Typical response within 4 business hours. NDA available upon request.
HLE Series Heavy-Duty Design
Hydraulic cold forming machines engineered for continuous factory operation.
Two Forming Methods — One Versatile Line
Choose the exact forming process configured for your elbow specifications.
🔵 Steel Ball Passing Forming
A hardened steel ball is pushed through the pipe by hydraulic pressure, gradually shaping the elbow against the mold cavity wall. Ideal for standard 1D short-radius elbows.
- Extremely fast cycle times
- Minimal material waste
- Highest surface finish quality
🔴 Core Rod (Mandrel) Forming
An internal mandrel supports the pipe wall from the inside during the entire forming process. This method is absolutely essential for 1.5D elbows and large diameter thin-wall fittings.
- Prevents inner wall wrinkling
- Maintains uniform wall thickness
- Includes semi-auto mechanical demolding
Cold Forming vs. Traditional Hot Forming
Why the world’s leading pipe fitting manufacturers are phasing out traditional hot forming.
| Production Criteria | HLE Cold Forming Series ★ | Traditional Hot Forming |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Cost | No heating furnace (30-50% lower energy) | Massive energy draw for furnace heating |
| Material Usage | Saves 10-20% material (Thinner walls allowed) | Requires thicker initial pipes for hot strength |
| Surface Finish | Smooth (No oxide scale, zero pickling) | Rough surface, requires toxic acid pickling |
| Mechanical Specs | Cold work hardening = Stronger grain structure | Grain structure often altered by heat stress |
| Production Speed | Ultra-fast cycle (No cooling wait time) | Long cycle (Heating + Forming + Cooling) |
HLE Series — Technical Specifications
From 200T to 4000T, covering elbow sizes from 1/2″ up to 28″.
| Model | Application Range ★ | Clamping Force (KN) |
Main Cylinder (KN) |
Max Daylight (mm) |
Motor (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLE-200T | DN15–DN50 (1/2″–2″) | 2,000 | 2,000 | 800 | 18 |
| HLE-630T | DN25–DN100 (1″–4″) | 6,300 | 6,300 | 1,200 | 45 |
| HLE-1000T | DN50–DN150 (2″–6″) | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1,600 | 75 |
| HLE-2000T ★ | DN150–DN300 (6″–12″) | 20,000 | 20,000 | 2,200 | 132 |
| HLE-4000T (Heavy Duty) | DN300–DN700 (12″–28″) | 40,000 | 40,000 | 3,500 | 242 |
* All specifications subject to final engineering confirmation. Custom stroke configurations available on request.
Typical Materials & Applications
Carbon Steel (A106, A234)
Standard 1D and 1.5D short-radius elbows for municipal water supply, steam, and industrial oil pipelines.
Stainless Steel (SS304/316)
Corrosion-resistant elbows for chemical, petrochemical, and desalination plants. Leaves a pristine, scale-free surface.
Duplex & Alloy Steels
2205 duplex, F51, and specialized alloy steel grades available on request for high-pressure service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tonnage model do I need for my elbow production?
Tonnage depends strictly on your maximum elbow diameter, wall thickness, and material hardness. As a general rule: HLE-630T handles up to DN100 (4 inch); HLE-1000T covers up to DN150 (6 inch); and HLE-2000T handles heavy-duty DN300 (12 inch). Contact our engineering team with your spec sheet for a precise calculation.
What is the difference between steel ball and core rod forming?
Steel ball passing pushes a hardened steel ball through the pipe—ideal for standard 1D short-radius elbows. Core rod forming uses an internal mandrel to support the pipe wall from inside during the entire forming process—essential for 1.5D elbows and larger diameters to prevent wrinkling.
Does APEX provide installation and operator training overseas?
Yes. APEX provides complete on-site installation, debugging, and operator training globally. We also conduct a comprehensive FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) with your actual pipe fittings at our Taizhou facility before shipping.
Ready to Switch to High-Margin Cold Forming?
Share your elbow specifications (material, OD, wall thickness) and current production method. We will compare cold forming vs. your current hot-forming process and calculate your exact ROI and energy savings.
🔒 Strict engineering confidentiality guaranteed. NDA available.