FABTECH 2026 attendees can see Plug & Bend demonstrations
in booth #C1208, Oct. 21-23, at the Las Vegas Convention Center
BLM GROUP USA, a leader in tube and sheet metal processing solutions, introduces Plug & Bend, an innovative quick-change tooling solution for select ELECT and E-TURN all-electric tube benders. Designed to simplify tooling changes and improve production efficiency, Plug & Bend enables manufacturers to transition quickly between different production jobs while maintaining consistent bending quality.
As manufacturers face shorter production runs, greater part variety, and ongoing labor challenges, reducing setup time has become just as important as reducing cycle time. Plug & Bend addresses these demands by allowing tooling to be changed quickly and accurately without the trial-and-error adjustments traditionally associated with tube bending.
As experienced tube-bending operators become increasingly difficult to find, Plug & Bend helps manufacturers maintain productivity by enabling less-skilled operators to perform tooling setups accurately and repeatably. By reducing reliance on specialized expertise, the system better prepares companies for today’s labor realities while ensuring consistent bending quality across shifts and personnel.
The system features an integrated quick-change interface that automatically positions bending tools in the correct location, eliminating manual alignment and reducing the potential for operator error. Once installed, tooling is immediately ready for production, allowing manufacturers to move from one job to the next with minimal interruption.
Unlike conventional tooling changes that often require manual adjustments before production can begin, Plug & Bend positions the tooling consistently each time it is installed, creating a more streamlined and predictable setup process.
“Manufacturers today need to respond quickly to changing production requirements without sacrificing quality or productivity,” said Matthew Irwin, product manager, tube and wire forming products at BLM GROUP USA. “Plug & Bend simplifies one of the most time-consuming aspects of tube bending by making tooling changes faster and more reliable.”
Plug & Bend is well suited for repetitive production environments where manufacturers regularly change between part families. By simplifying the tooling change process and reducing the need for manual adjustment, the system helps keep production moving while delivering consistent results from one setup to the next.
