Abstract: Apparatus and method for the bending of rigid workpieces, particularly tubes, such as those of use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems.

Abstract: A clamp die apparatus for co-operating with the bend die of a tube bending apparatus during tube bending has a support bolster adapted for adjustable mounting on a bend arm of a tube bending machine and a primary clamp die rigidly mounted on the support bolster for clamping a portion of a tube against a bend die of the bend arm. A secondary clamp die is movably mounted on the support bolster for movement between an extended position alongside the primary clamp die and a retracted position spaced rearwardly from the primary clamp die. Each clamp die has a clamping surface for bearing against a portion of a tube to be bent, and the clamping surfaces of the primary and secondary clamp dies are aligned to form a clamping surface of extended length when the secondary clamp die is in the extended position. The primary clamp die alone forms a reduced length clamping surface when the secondary clamp die is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the rotary draw bending of pipe and tube having means to apply an axial boost force to the trailing end of the tube during the bending operation, which force assists in controlling the flow of tube material into the bend. The apparatus has means to monitor the amount of material being used during each bending operation and means to control the amount of boost applied to the tube whereby the bending operation can be controlled to better achieve desired elongation characteristics. Bent tubes to a consistent standard and quality are obtained.

Abstract: A tube loading assembly for use in loading a tube on a flexible mandrel of a tube bending machine; said assembly comprising mandrel receiving means for receiving said mandrel; mandrel alignment means for aligning said received mandrel to be co-axial with said tube; and means for feeding said tube on said co-axially aligned mandrel. The assembly is of use with tubes to be bent for use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems, and provides for improved automatic loading speeds.

Abstract: An improved tube rotary draw bending apparatus for bending a tube having a bend die around which a bend in the tube is formed, a pressure die and means for maintaining a pre-programmed frictional profile of the interaction of the tube with the pressure die during the bending operation. Improved quality of the bent tube is consistently obtained.