To stay competitive, companies must be willing to invest both time and money to investigate whether or not their processes are as efficient as they should be. Those who do so can catch inefficiencies early in the process and make appropriate changes, saving money. Those who don't may unknowingly be performing redundant tasks that can add up over time.

All-electric tube bending machines use electric, closed-loop servomotor axes to control the motion and speed of the bend tooling, providing programmable control over the range of each axis. Otherwise, all-electric tube bending machines are basically rotary draw benders—the design of which have not changed significantly for 50 years.

One big challenge in stainless steel tube finishing is the growing expectations about the surface finish. Tools and abrasives have improved to achieve better surface quality in less time. At the same time, fabricators require finishing methods that address health, safety, and environmental concerns.