Performance Evaluation of a Motorized Copper-Tube Bending System for Building Mechanical Installations

Abstract:

Bending copper tubing is a common operation in building mechanical installations, particularly in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration systems, where accurate pipe alignment is required to ensure proper system performance. Conventional manual bending methods are widely used in field applications; however, they often require significant physical effort and may produce inconsistent bending angles, leading to installation errors, material damage, and reduced work efficiency. To address these limitations, a motorized copper-tube bending system was developed to improve bending accuracy, reduce manual workload, and enhance productivity during mechanical installation work. This study evaluates the performance of the developed motorized bending system in comparison with the conventional manual bending method. Experimental testing was conducted using standard copper tubes commonly used in building mechanical installations. The evaluation focused on bending angle accuracy, time efficiency, and operational consistency. Multiple trials were performed for both manual and motorized bending, and the results were analyzed using statistical methods to determine the significance of the observed differences. The results showed that the motorized bending system provided more consistent bending angles and reduced the required bending time compared to manual operation. The motorized device also minimized physical effort and improved repeatability during successive bending tasks. Statistical analysis confirmed that the motorized bending system's performance is significantly better in terms of accuracy and efficiency under the tested conditions. The findings of this study indicate that the developed motorized copper-tube bending system can be effectively used in building mechanical installations to improve work quality and productivity. However, the study is limited to a single tube size and short-term testing conditions; further evaluation across different tube diameters and long-term operation is recommended for future research.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 180)
• Pages: 105-112
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-PK63ps
• Online since: July 2026
• Authors: John Vincent Espina, Benjie Daga-Ang, Neowel G. Obsuna, Liregine S. Cayme*
• Keywords: ASTM B280, Building Materials Processing, Copper Tube Bending, Defect Analysis, Material Performance Evaluation, Mechanical Installations

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