Abstract: The bending device comprises a hydraulic motor for moving a feeding table, and a hydraulic circuit including first and second switching valves which can be selectively switched between a speed control channel for supplying operating oil from a discharge-rate variable hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor by way of a servo valve and a pressure control channel for supplying high pressure operating oil from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. When the feeding table provided with a chuck mechanism gripping a longitudinal material is moved to a bending mechanism to bend the material, control of the speed and application of axial compressive force can be conducted by switching of the first and second switching valves.

Abstract: A bending machine for the bending of rod-shaped and/or bar-shaped workpieces and especially of pipes incorporates a bending device (5) with bending tools (10, 11) that are provided on both sides of a tool platen (12). These bending tools (10, 11) include in each case a bending swage (13, 16) and at least one thrust member. At least one thrust member on one side of the tool platen and at least one thrust member on the other side of the tool platen (12) are drivingly coupled for joint movement in the transverse direction of the workpiece, with the movement in the transverse direction of the workpiece for shifting the thrust member(s) on one side of the tool platen (12) into its or their operating position permitting movement of the associated thrust member(s) on the other side of the tool platen (12) in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A bending system (1) on a bending machine for bending rod shaped and/or bar-shaped workpieces and especially pipes (4), incorporates at least one multilevel bending tool (3) with multiple bending levels arranged one above the other in the direction of a bending axis (8). For each bending level a bending die (5, 6, 7) and, associated with the corresponding bending die (5, 6, 7), at least one clamping jaw (8, 9, 10) and at least one slide rail (18, 19, 20) are provided. The clamping jaws (8, 9, 10) are effectively supported by means of a modular clamping jaw support (24), the slide rails (18, 19, 20) by means of a modular slide rail support (44) in the transverse direction of the bending axis (8) and in the transverse direction of the workpiece, respectively. Clamping jaw support units (28, 29, 30) and slide rail support units (33, 33a, 34, 34a, 35, 35a) of which the clamping jaw support (24) and, respectively, the slide rail support (44) is composed, are appropriately configured.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for linearly driving a machine-tool slider in both directions, comprising an hydraulic cylinder (5) whose piston rod (4) is connected to a slider and which is fed with pressurized fluid from a reservoir (14) by a pump (15) through a three-position four-way valve (18), a check valve (12-13), and between the last ones, a pair of throttling valves (19, 19′) which are mounted symmetrically each other and operated to generate an increased pressure in either one or the other chamber, which is at the moment in a low pressure, of the hydraulic cylinder (5) in order to slow down said slider in its work motion in both directions of linear travelling when a programmable interval is approached from a predetermined position for each working pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for tube or profile bending machines. At least the surface touching the tube (1) or profile is coated with a layer of molybdenum or molybdenum alloy, enabling the service life of said tool to be significantly improved.

Abstract: A bending processor for a pipe has a pipe bending unit and a pipe twisting unit. The pipe bending unit is rotated by a predetermined angle while pressing the processed pipe against the circumferential face of a bending die, and performs the bending processing. The pipe bending unit may be movable in the longitudinal direction of the processed pipe or may be fixed. The pipe twisting unit is freely rotated by a predetermined angle with the center of the processed pipe as an axis. The pipe bending unit has a tensile bending function and a compression bending function.

Abstract: A transmission device for a tube bending machine include a first power means and a second power means mounted on the sliding seat to drive the sliding seat as well as a workpiece securely connected to the sliding seat to move. The second means has a second motor alternately connected to the clutch so that the transmission power is selectively transmitted to drive the sliding seat when required. Therefore, transmission of workpiece is smooth and the processing work to the workpiece is accomplished.

Abstract: A bending assembly on a bending machine for the bending of rod and/or bar-shaped workpieces and especially pipes (8) includes a bending tool (10) and a bending drive unit (11). The bending drive unit (11) includes a swivel arm (21) and a bending-drive motor (22), the bending tool (10) is equipped with at least one workpiece thrust block (12, 13), and the swivel arm (21) has at least one thrust pad (17, 18). By means of the bending-drive motor (22) the swivel arm (21) with the thrust pad (17, 18) can be rotated around a bending axis (14) that extends in the transverse direction of the workpiece. The workpiece can be bent when the thrust pad (17, 18) forces it against and around the associated workpiece thrust block (12, 13). The motor shaft of the bending drive motor (22) extends parallel to the bending axis (14), and both of its shaft ends are drive-connected to the swivel arm (21).

Abstract: A draw-bending machine comprises a base frame (2), a bending head (3) movably in engagement with the base frame (2), a support and positioning device (9) for the bending head (3), and handling and locking means (51) of a pipe (6) to be bent. The support and positioning device (9) consists of a first support arm (10) movable relative to the base frame (2) and a second support arm (17) having a first end (17a) hinged on an end (10a) of the first support arm (10) and a second end (17b) hinged on the bending head (3). The handling and locking means (51) comprises a first gripping unit (25) adapted to shift the pipe (6) to an operating space that can be reached by the bending head (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the orienting of the ends of a finite length segment of tube following a bend thereof through a predefined angle. At least one straight finite length segment of tube is supplied to the tube bender for bending the tube about a bend axis. The two ends of the tube, following the bend, are measured to determine the distance between the end face of each leg to the bend axis. Appropriate adjustment is made to a pushing member to keep the ends of the tube in a generally coplanar relation. Additional measurement is performed to facilitate adjustment between the tube supply device and the tube bending mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided means for bending a small diameter metal pipe capable of accurately finishing all of bending operation by a single bender even when a linear length of a pipe distal end portion is short. A method of bending a small diameter metal pipe for chucking one end of the small diameter metal pipe to be worked, setting a working direction and carrying out bending operation from a front end side of other end to the one end, characterized in that bending operation of one step or several steps is carried out previously from a pipe distal end of the one end, a portion subjected to the bending operation is chucked and bending operation is successively carried out from the front end side of the other end toward the one end subjected to the bending operation under the state.

Abstract: A vertically oriented tube bending apparatus includes a vertically oriented support frame, which takes up less floor space than the previously known tubing benders. A tube bending apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally, includes a support frame having a length, a width, and a height, wherein the greatest of these is the height. The apparatus further includes a tubing advance mechanism, attached to the support frame, for advancing a tubing workpiece along a substantially vertical path. A bend die is also provided which is rotatably attached to the support frame and pivotally movable about a pivot axis. The bend die has an outer side edge with an arcuate peripheral groove formed therein to receive a portion of a tubing workpiece. The apparatus also includes a pressure die movably attached to said support frame.

Abstract: A bend die assembly includes a bend die and a clamp block assembly. The bend die is reversible and includes a T-shaped projection which extends outward from the bend die. The clamp block assembly includes a first clamp block and a mating second clamp block. The first clamp block includes a first T-shaped opening sized to slidably receive the bend die T-shaped projection. Each clamp block includes a tube groove which includes a plurality of indentations corresponding to a desired compound bend to be formed in tubing.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine accurately controlling bent angle of material pipes includes a base, a material feeding device fixed on the base, an arm-turning shaft fixed in front of the base, a bending mold fixed on the arm-turning shaft, a turning arm rotated by a transmitting device. The turning arm has a clamp mold fixed thereon for clamping a material pipe with help of the bending mold. The transmitting device includes a threaded rod rotated by a motor, a threaded nut screwing with the threaded rod and connected with a pull block, and an interactive device positioned between the pull block and arm-turning shaft. Rotation force of the motor is converted into straight pushing force by means of the threaded rod and the threaded nut.

Abstract: A transmission shaft of a movable arm of a pipe bender comprises a main shaft, a sun gear ring and a central gear shaft. The main shaft has an upper end fixedly connected to the movable arm, and has several planet gears received therein; the planet gears each communicates with a corresponding one of side openings of the main shaft. The sun gear ring is located around, and engages the planet gears, and is fixed to a fixed arm of the pipe bender. The central gear shaft has an upper end gear portion passed into the main shaft, and engaging the planet gears. A lower end of the central gear shaft is connected to a power source. Thus, the main shaft can turn to move the movable arm when the central gear shaft is turned because the sun gear ring is fixed. The dimensions of the gears do not have to be increased to increase the torque because of the present structure.

Abstract: A machine for bending or cambering a profile has two bending rollers mounted on a tool holder carriage, a block for supporting the tool holder carriage with respect to which the latter is pivotably mounted about a rotational axis coaxial with the axis of one of the bending rollers, the supporting block being pivotably mounted with respect to the frame of the machine about a rotational axis coaxial with the axis of the other bending roller; with the ability to rotationally lock either the tool carriage holder to the supporting block or the supporting block to the frame, and the ability to pivot in reverse directions the tool holder carriage/supporting block assembly or the tool holder carriage.

Abstract: A three-dimensional simple flexible mould for bending pipes comprised of a plurality of arciform or half-circled spring elements, pins and chucking rings for being a protecting mould in a three-dimensional pipe bending process. The two ends of every spring element have two lapping portions with a hole both or respectively with a hole and a snap mouth or with a snap mouth both for receiving two pins therein. The spring elements are strung with pins to form a spiral spring typed flexible mould. Thereby, a straight pipe to be bent can be placed for being processed by a three-dimensional pipe bending process with a pipe bending machine. The spring elements can scatter the stress in bending. Thus can increase the bending strength of the pipe under bending moment. The bending process and detachment of the mould are simple and can improve the technique of processing in making artistic pipes.

Abstract: A bending machine has a machine bed on which a pipe supporting carriage is mounted to move a pipe in a first direction toward a dual bend head assembly at the forward end of the machine bed. The assembly has a support frame and first and second spaced bend heads each rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal bend axis aligned with the bend axis of the other bend head. Each bend head has at least one pair of opposing bend and clamp dies defining a die cavity. The dual bend head assembly is movably mounted on the forward end of the machine bed for movement in a horizontal direction transverse to the pipe axis between at least two horizontally spaced positions in which the pipe is aligned with the die cavity of the first and second bend head, respectively.

Abstract: A three-dimensional simple flexible mould for bending pipes comprised of a plurality of arciform or half-circled spring elements, pins and chucking rings for being a protecting mould in a three-dimensional pipe bending process. The two ends of every spring element have two lapping portions each with a hole for insertion of two common pins therethrough. One of the lapping portions on each of the spring elements is lapped over one of the lapping portions of the neighbored one of the spring elements at one side of the spring element and the other over another of the lapping portions of another neighbored one of the spring elements at the other side thereof. Such that said spring elements are strung to be in the form of a spiral spring typed flexible mould. The pins are provided on the two open ends thereof with annular grooves for engagement by the chucking rings to prevent the spring elements from dropping.

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 bending apparatus has a die, a first clamp for clamping an elongate work piece into engagement with the die forward of the transverse center line of the die on one side of the die and a second clamp for clamping the elongate work piece into engagement with the die forward of the transverse center line of the die on the other side of the die. The first and second clamps are rotatable around the axis of the die to bend the elongate work piece. The first and second clamps are each movable between a retracted position in which the clamp is separated laterally from the die and is located below the plane in which the work piece is to be bent and an engaged position in which the clamp is in clamping engagement with the die.

Abstract: A machine (1) for bending pipes and wire-like material in general comprises, on a bed (2), a bending head (20) and a plate (5) supporting a carriage provided with a gripper (10) for gripping the end portion of the workpiece opposite to the bending head (20), by providing a shaft (6) extending from the bottom surface (7) of the plate (5), the shaft (6) being rotatably housed in the bed (2) and being operatively coupled with controllable driving means.

Abstract: A tube bending machine having a rotatable bend die, a pressure die, a clamp die, an actuator and a controller. A clamp assembly holds the clamp die and includes a base, a clamp die holder which is spring biased away from and slideably engageable with the base. A spacer is also attached to the base and is moveable between positions. A gear rotatably mounted to the base is attached to a first and second cam by a shaft and the gear moves on a rack. The first cam is followed by a cam follower which moves to allow the spacer to change positions. The clamp die holder may move toward the housing in case the clamp die engages an obstruction, thus avoiding damage or injury to the obstruction. A second position of the spacer substantially blocks the space between the clamp die holder and the base, thus making a substantially rigid connection between them. The second position is used during the tube bending process.

Abstract: A bending machine (1) for bending wire-like material, such as pipes, rods or section members, comprises a machine bed (2) supporting a carriage provided with a gripper (10) for controllably turning and translating a workpiece, and a curving head (50) which is supported by a translating slide (20) operatively coupled with controllable driving means, the translating slide (20) being supported by a table (25) having a supporting shaft (35) which is rotatably housed in the machine bed, and is operatively coupled to controllable driving means.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and cutting metal tubing includes a support base and a number of components attached thereto. A bend die is rotatably attached to the support base, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis. The bend die has a tube-receiving peripheral groove, and a first blade guide slot formed therein to receive a first portion of a blade therein. The apparatus also includes a pressure die which is movably attached to the support base, including a reciprocally movable first pressure applicator, and a follower slide which is slidably attached to the first pressure applicator. The follower slide clamps against a portion of tubing, substantially opposite the bend die. The follower slide also has a second blade guide slot formed therein, to recieve a second portion of the blade. The apparatus further includes a movable bend arm assembly for contacting and bending a tubing workpiece against the bend die. A blade holder is attached to the support base for holding and supporting a blade.

Abstract: In a machine for automatically bending a material into the outside skin of a channel letter, a desired configuration of the channel letter is input into a control computer. The computer controls the feed of the strip of metal into the machine for the bending of the metal into the outside skin. Feed assemblies feed the material along a material feed path of the machine. A notching station notches the edge of the material where necessary for purposes of forming flanges in the material and bending the material. A subsequent flange forming station forms the flanges on the edge of the material, when desired. A bending assembly bends the strip of material into the desired form, with the bending arm moving from one side to the other of the material as necessary. The material is cut at a cutting station immediately preceding the bending assembly when the length of the material needed for the formation of the outside skin has been fed to the appropriate point at the cutting station along the material feed path.

Abstract: A multi-row pipe bending apparatus has a plurality of rows of pipe bending devices each including a pipe bending unit having at least one bending die, and clamping and pressure dies for securing to the bending die a pipe to be bent. Each bending device includes also a pipe twisting unit having a twisting plate having an opening for holding the pipe, and rotatable with a predetermined twisting angle about the longitudinal axis of the pipe for moving it to a position conforming to the shape into which it is to be bent. The bending and twisting units are movable longitudinally of the pipe. A pipe transfer device is provided for transferring the pipe from one row to another, so that the pipe may be bent close to one end thereof in one row, and close to the other end in another.

Abstract: A tube bending apparatus, comprising a tube holding mechanism; a first head member for substantially preventing lateral movement of a first portion of the tube; a unit for translating the tube along its longitudinal axis so as to be substantially adjacent the first head member; a unit for rotating the tube about its longitudinal axis; a bend arm member which is pivotally connected to the first head member; a drive mechanism for rotating the bend arm member so as to contact the tube for bending thereof; and wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor and associated gearing for directly coupling the motor to the bend arm member.

Abstract: A hydraulic device provided with a plurality of hydraulic actuators directly connected to a hydraulic pump for control. A hydraulic pump is operable in both rotational directions when the electric motor is rotated forwards and in reverse. Ports of each hydraulic actuator are connected via a connecting line in parallel with ports of the hydraulic pump. A plurality of electromagnetic valves are provided in the connecting lines to the hydraulic actuators. By opening or closing each electromagnetic valve, the operation of the associated hydraulic actuator is controlled. The operation direction of each hydraulic actuator is controlled by rotating the electric motor clockwise or counterclockwise. Further, a position sensor is provided for detecting displacement of the specified hydraulic actuator and the electric motor is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the position sensor.

Abstract: A tube bending system for bending all tubes in a preset manner effectively from the beginning of works by detecting a degree of bending of a tube which varies during a bending process in high precision by a displacement sensor and by accurately comparing the detected value of the degree of bending of the tube detected by the displacement sensor with a control value written in advance in a program in a memory. The displacement sensor is disposed so as to be able to detect the position of the tube to be bent on the side of a reaction receiving section between a gripper and the reaction receiving section. The displacement sensor is composed of a detecting section and a transducing section.

Abstract: A machine for cold bending a thick walled tube is provided which includes a rotatable bend die around which the tube is bent and a pressure die which engages an outer side wall of the tube tangential to the bend. The pressure die has a pinch-type tube groove with multiple radiuses which receives the tube and substantially prevents relative movement between the pressure die and the outer side wall of the tube. The machine also includes a pressure die boost system which linearly advances the pressure die in a forward direction as the bend die is rotated. The boost system includes a linear actuator and an electro-hydraulic control system which automatically drives the linear actuator in accordance with a pre-programmed profile of pressure and flow parameters. The linear actuator has a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a pusher coupling the piston to the pressure die, and ports in the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston.

Abstract: A collet assembly for a bending apparatus has a support ring the support ring being connected coaxially to a tubular support member, five jaws being pivotally connected to the free end of the support ring by means of parallelogram linkages, each of the parallel linkages having a pair of links one disposed radially inwardly of the other to permit movement of the jaws transverse to the axis of the support rings, the jaws being spaced angularly around the circumference of the support ring; an actuating assembly has an outer ring connected to a control sleeve slidably mounted on the tubular support member and an inner ring disposed on the internal diameter of the support ring, the inner ring defines a cam formation for engagement with corresponding formations on the inner link of each parallelogram linkage, the inner ring of the actuating assembly being connected to the outer ring through elongate slots in the support ring, so that the actuating assembly may be moved axially with respect to the support ring betwe

Abstract: Improved counterdie for pipe bending machines, that has an approximately semicylindrical configuration in the working zone, with its frontal walls in a progressive ramp that becomes more pronounced in the vicinity of the exit zone, and provided with a longitudinal neck that is semicylindrical after the entrance zone, and then later truncated cone-shaped up to the exit zone, and with a longitudinal depression at the bottom with progressive section.

Abstract: The pipe bending machine comprises a bending template (15) for bending the pipe therearound. The unbent pipe portion is supported on a pipe supporting rail (20) mounted on a pipe supporting rail carrier (25) and being adjustable in height. The height adjustment of the pipe supporting rail (20) is performed by a drive means (28), suited for stepless positioning, which sets the pipe supporting rail (20) to a height predetermined by the CNC control unit. Prior to the bending of the pipe, the height to which the pipe supporting rail (20) is to be moved is determined by the working program in dependance on a set of tool data which has been input into the control unit.

Abstract: Vise for clamping a pipe or rod or section bar or other mechanical part, with a jaw (3) and a counterjaw (3'), comprising a piston fixed in position by a support (10) with a rod (6) to the head of which said counterjaw (3') is rendered integral through a cart (7); pliers with two catches (9, 9') hinged upon said support (10) to rotate vertically and endowed with hooks (9a, 9a') fit for engaging two corresponding cavities (3a, 3a') provided on respectively upper and lower surfaces of said jaw, said catches having their profile with an inner and outer raising (12, 12a; 12', 12a') toward the exterior of the working field of the pliers themselves, said cart having two pegs (13, 13') respectively fit for engage each one of said outer raisings to cause the closing of the catches with the advancement of the cart by contrast against the outer raisings themselves, and pipe bending machine or rod or section bar bending machine that comprises it, with the jaw being integral with the matrix, as well as comprising a dragg

Abstract: For the advance of the slide rail of a pipe bending machine, a hydraulic cylinder (22) is provided. The pressures (P1,P2) on both sides of the piston (23) of the cylinder (22) are detected, and from these pressures, the actual value of the advance force (F) is calculated. A set value generator (49) generates the set value (Fs) of the advance force in dependence on the respective rotational angle (.alpha.) of the bending template. A controller (48) controls a throttle valve (42) such that the actual value (Fi) follows the set value (Fs). Thus, a power control of the slide rail advance is effected.

Abstract: A bending machine for elongate workpieces, particularly a pipe bending machine, comprises a clamping jaw (18) for clamping the workpiece (14) to be bent. During the bending process, this clamping jaw (18) is advanced by a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit (24), the advance force being controlled to a predetermined value. In this manner, the workpiece (14) is subjected to a pressure bending process of high quality.

Abstract: A tube bending machine is provided which includes a rotatable bend die about which the tube is bent, a mandrel insertable into the tube adjacent the bend, and a mandrel rod fixed to a rear end of the mandrel. A mandrel extractor system is also included which linearly advances and retracts the mandrel. The mandrel extractor system includes a linear actuator connected to the mandrel rod and an electro-hydraulic control system which automatically drives the linear actuator at variable pressures. The linear actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder with a piston connected to the mandrel rod.

Abstract: A tube bending machine is provided which includes a rotatable bend die about which the tube is bent and a rotatable clamp die disposed outwardly of said bend die and movable to secure the tube between the clamp die and the bend die. A clamp die positioning system is provided which includes a drop-away clamp die holder supporting the clamp die, a hydraulic cylinder directly attached to the die clamp holder which advances and retracts the clamp die holder, and an electro-pneumatic control system which drives the cylinder at preselected pressures. The electro-hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pump, a directional valve which varies the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, a proportional pressure reducing valve which varies the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, and a microprocessor controller which provides control signals to set the pressure to the preselected levels.

Abstract: A bender for bending metal rod to form surgical implants in a sterile operating room environment. The bender being made of an autoclavable material having a hardness greater than the maximum hardness of the rod to be bent. The bender includes a capstan, a primary mandrel, a gripping element, and a follower mandrel. The primary mandrel, which rotates with the capstan, includes at least one generally cylindrical portion with a guide channel formed in the periphery thereof. The follower mandrel also includes at least one generally cylindrical portion with a guide channel formed in the periphery thereof. The follower guide channels are disposed in planar alignment with the corresponding guide channel of the primary mandrel to form bending channels therebetween. The gripping member is mounted for rotation with said primary mandrel, and encloses a portion of the primary mandrel guide channel(s) to form a passageway of predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A method for determining a bending die radius of a bending machine for bending a part and an associated apparatus. The method involves entering into a computer data concerning the part to be bent and an initial estimate of the radius of the bending die. Based on the data related to the part and the initial estimate, a final value for the die radius is determined. An improved bending machine and an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus intended for bending heavy through thin wall pipe and tubing includes a generally circular bending shoe mounted for rotation about a first axis and having a plurality of semi-circular concave grooves in its outer surface. The grooves are of differing sizes and located in side-by-side axial spaced planes perpendicular to the first axis. A separate pair of bending rollers is provided for cooperation with each separate concave groove. Each pair of rollers includes a first roller and a second roller having concave exterior grooves and mounted on a bracket for independent rotary movement about separate second and third axes. A support arm is joined to the bracket for permitting tilting movement of the bracket relative to the support arm about a fourth axis parallel to the second and third axes.

Abstract: The pipe-bending machine comprises two bending heads (11,12) being configured so as to be mirror-inverted with respect to each other and projecting in cantilever-like manner from a machine frame (10). A cross slide (26) supporting the pipe holding device (25) is displaceable on the machine frame (10). The first bending of the pipe (17) is performed in a first bending head (12). Then, the pipe holding device (29) is displaced to the second bending head (11) where the second bending operation is performed. Thus, several bending operations can be effected successively without there being a need to reclamp the pipe.

Abstract: The pipe bending machine comprises a rotatable bending template (14) and a pivot arm (21) pivotable about the axis of the bending template and supporting a clamping jaw (22). In order to be able to perform rightward bending as well as leftward bendings of a pipe (27), the bending template (14) consists of two template parts (15,16) configured for different bending directions. The clamping jaw (22) also consists of jaw parts (23,24) for different bending directions. On both sides of the bending head, slide rails (32,33) are arranged.

Abstract: A coupling between the piston and cylinder controlling and actuating member and the bending head of a portable pipe bending machine comprising a collar (5) made up of two half collars (5', 5") with concavities complementary with the side wall of the cylinder (3), which are removably joined (6, 6') to each other to clamp the cylinder itself, one of them (5') being rigidly joined (6, 6') to the bending head (1), a coupling which is desired further comprises structure for preventing the axial displacement of the collar (5) upon the cylinder (3), particularly a groove (9', 9") on the collar and a complementary ridge (9) on the cylinder (3).

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 boost system (53) traveling behind the carriage (12) of a tube bending machine includes an hydraulic boost cylinder (58) that slidably receives a boost shaft (52) that is connected to the carriage. The boost cylinder has a piston fixed to the boost shaft, and the cylinder is slidably mounted on the machine bed (10) that slidably carries the carriage so that the boost cylinder (58) is carried along with the carriage (12) as the carriage moves toward and away from the bend head (24) mounted at a forward end of the machine bed for positioning a tube (22) to be bent at the bend head. When a bending operation commences, the boost cylinder (58) is locked to the machine bed by a movable pawl (94) that is driven into engagement with a rack (80) fixed to the bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the orienting of the ends of a finite length segment of tube following a bend thereof through a predefined angle. A supplying and delivering device supplies at least one straight finite length segment of tube to a tube bender for bending the tube about a bend axis. A first end of the finite length segment is oriented a predetermined distance from a bend axis about which the finite length segment is to be bent. The finite length segment is clamped to the bend arbor for movement therewith. The bend arbor is moved through the predefined angle to effect a bending of the finite length segment while simultaneously pushing the first end of said finite length segment toward a location whereat the finite length segment is clamped to the bend arbor.

Abstract: A plate rolling apparatus, for rolling a plate to form a pipe which may be tapered, a gripper rib (14) on the mandrel (11) for receiving the edge of a flat plate. The mandrel (11) being mounted between support frame ends (24, 25) and on a single pressure roller (15) mounted beneath the mandrel (11) and adapted to contact the surface of the plate and apply a squeezing force against the plate and mandrel (11) during a rolling operation, the pressure roll (15) being laterally movable relative to the center-line of the mandrel depending upon the location of the gripper rib (14) in the region of the roller (15) so as not to foul the gripper rib (14) yet applying said squeezing force to said plate as required. A mandrel (11) having an adjustable taper angle is disclosed as an adjustable mandrel support member (2, 25) and mandrel journal (26) to accommodate variable mandrel diameters and angles or taper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing smooth, continuous arcuate contour bends in tubes used, for example, in the manufacture of fuel manifolds for gas turbine engines. A flexible die cavity circumscribing an arbor member with an integral adjustment feature are utilized to provide means for modifying the radius of curvature of the forming die cavity to compensate for variable tube spring back characteristics. A first embodiment provides for infinite adjustment of radius of curvature within range limits, while an alternate embodiment provides for incremental adjustment. Means are also provided to lock the adjustment feature once the desired radius of curvature has been achieved.