PVC Bendit is a tool that uses heat to soften
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (alternatively: poly(vinyl chloride), colloquial: vinyl or polyvinyl; abbreviated: PVC) is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons o ...
pipe from the inside. It consists of an electrical resistance
heating element
A heating element is a device used for conversion of electric energy into heat, consisting of a heating resistor and accessories. Heat is generated by the passage of electric current through a resistor through a process known as Joule heating. He ...
jacketed in a metal hose with a power supply cable.
Overview
It is primarily used to bend PVC pipe, though it can also be used to bend other
thermoplastic
A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling.
Most thermoplastics have a high molecular weight. The polymer chains as ...
tubes and sheets. It works by bringing up the temperature of the pipe or sheet to the softening point of 176 degrees or higher. Naturally, the longer the pipe is on the bender, the hotter and softer it will get. Once the pipe is softened, it can be formed into different shapes within the limitations of the material. When cooled, the pipe will retain all of the properties of the original material, but it will have additional stress on the points of the pipe that are stretched or compressed in the
bending
In applied mechanics, bending (also known as flexure) characterizes the behavior of a slender structural element subjected to an external Structural load, load applied perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the element.
The structural eleme ...
process.
History
PVC Bendit was designed in late 2010 to early 2011 as a way to bend longer sections of pipe than were possible with other methods. The inventor, Victor Johnson of
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Manitou Springs is a home rule municipality located at the foot of Pikes Peak in western El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The town was founded for its natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to traveler ...
, was looking for a method to bend long sticks of clear PVC to make a lighting system, and he could not find a method to efficiently bend more than two feet of pipe at a time. After extensive
research
Research is creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to ...
on the properties of the material, he devised and patented this system.
Applications
Bent PVC by any method can be used for a wide variety of tasks: fitting-mitigation in plumbing and electrical applications, greenhouses,
furniture, assistance with activities of daily living, toys, games, art, refrigeration systems, etc.
References
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External links
PVC Canvas
Plumbing