Abstract: Devices and methods for bending or cutting implants are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an instrument can convert a rotational input force (e.g., supplied by a powered driver tool) into movement of a first rod holder with respect to a second rod holder. Such movement can form a bend in a rod or other implant held by the first and second rod holders. Various mechanisms for converting this movement are disclosed, such as a worm drive mechanism and a conical gear mechanism, as are various types of rod holders, including orbiting rollers, lid-type rod holders, fixed and pivoting half-pipe rod holders, and full-pipe rod holders. In some embodiments, the instrument can also be used for cutting, for example by rotating a cutting wheel with respect to a cutting plate to cut a rod or other implant inserted through openings formed in the cutting wheel and the cutting plate.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism of a pipe bending machine is equipped with several auxiliary hydraulic cylinders in addition to an original power source for providing power to feed a pipe; the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders are joined to an auxiliary fixing member at output rods thereof, which fixing member is displaceable along a toothed locating rod secured on the bending machine, and is equipped with an engaging device capable of releaseably engaging the toothed locating rod to fix the fixing member in position; thus, the feeding mechanism can feed a pipe with increased force output when the fixing member is made unmovable along the locating rod by the engaging device, and when the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders operate.

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: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a formblock utilizing stereolithography for producing a sheet metal part. A computer formblock model is first designed. Stereolithographic techniques are utilized to create the formblock using the computer formblock model. A part may be formed from a sheet metal blank using the formblock, whereby force is applied to the sheet metal blank to bend it about the formblock.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a sheet metal part utilizing stereolithography. A computer formblock model is first designed. Stereolithographic techniques are utilized to create a formblock using the computer formblock model. A part is formed from a sheet metal blank using the formblock, whereby force is applied to the sheet metal blank to bend it about the formblock.

Abstract: There is provided a device and manner for bulge forming and bending a tube or hollow extrusion, such as a pipe or conduit. The one portion of the length of the tube is bulge-formed to define a radially expanded, contoured section of the tube, while another portion of the tube length is bent to define an angle or curve in the tube. The device employs a radially expandable mandrel which serves both as the expandable member for bulge-forming the tube, as well as a bending mandrel to stabilize the tube against wrinkling or collapse during bending.

Abstract: A tube turning tool allows laterals to be drilled and completed without the need for articulated bending tools, underreaming, high fluid pressure, or a separate running of completion tools. The turning tool uses a rigid bent pipe section capable of being run downhole within many standard diameter well tubulars, supported in a desired position, and bending coil tubing at an ultra short radius of curvature as it is being run into the wellbore so that it can jet drill a lateral. After jet drilling a lateral, the lateral can also be completed using the coil tubing, e.g., gravel packed by pumping a slurry through the coil tubing while withdrawing the tubing from the lateral.

Abstract: Forming dies adaptable to conventional tube bending machinery, the forming dies including aligned forming rollers engaging the tubing to be bent, said forming rollers containing grooves having curvilinear surfaces said forming rollers initially deforming the said tubing into a first curvilinear shape upon the drawing or pushing of the tubing between the forming rollers. A bend die is aligned with a pressure die roller, the pressure die roller and bend die each containing grooves having curvilinear surfaces defining a second curvilinear shape. Upon drawing or pushing the tubing through the pressure die roller and bend die, a second curvilinear shape is imparted to the tube. The tubing may thus be provided with an enhanced curvilinear shape prior to bending.

Abstract: A method of bending round tubular metal stock for use in the manufacture of tubular frame furniture comprising the steps of first bending the stock to a shape close to the final angle and thereafter compressing the stock in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the bend so as to fractionally increase the stock diameter in the plane of the bend and reversely bend the stock so as to achieve the final angular relation.

Abstract: The guide tube (16) is formed with a longitudinal slit which can be bent about a bending drum (6) of standard construction. In order to additionally introduce a longitudinal or spiral twist, a twisting element can be clamped about the tube, to introduce a twist, manually (FIGS. 1, 2), or upon rotating of the bending drum or disk (FIGS. 7, 8) by a coupled gearing. To retain the slit of the tube in proper dimension and alignment, and prevent deformation of the tube, a counter element with a groove (5) therein matched to the circumference of the tube is provided, and an insert strip (18) is located within the tube, which insert strip preferably has externally projecting portions (18a) for guidance of the strip between the counter element and the bending tube or disk, and a recessed portion (18b) extending within the slit (17) to prevent deformation of the tube and of the slit during twisting and/or bending of the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to arches for use in tunnels such as underground mine tunnels. These arches are composed of a bent metal beam often of "H" or "T"-section. Problems have previously arisen in accurately bending the beams to the required shape. The apparatus of the invention includes a D-shaped former which is rotatable relative to a roller. The beam is clamped to one end of the former and on rotation of the former relative to the roller, the beam is bent around the former so that it assumes the required shape, the ends of the beam being clamped to the former. A cutting device may be employed to cut the beam, while bent around the former, into three or more sections.

Abstract: Material is drawn from a roll of flat stock, passed through a pipe forming machine, and welded to provide a continuous length of pipe which is stored in a variable size loop. Pipe is withdrawn from the loop by means of a series of pipe straightening and feeding rollers which feeds the pipe to a bending machine. The bending machine is suspended from an overhead platform for rotation about a vertical axis and carries a shearing cutter so that multi-bend pipe sections, such as automobile exhaust pipes, may be bent, severed and dropped onto a conveyor for inspection and disposition while the pipe is being continuously formed from the flat stock. Distance between bends and plane of bend are respectively controlled by the pipe feeder and the bend machine rotation. Differences between forming and bending rates are compensated by varying the amount of pipe in the storage loop.