Abstract: A method for making a preformed thermoplastic tube having a tube wall and including at least one bend formed by thermoforming, characterized in that on an inner curve of the bend the tube wall is provided with a pattern of corrugations with minimal dimensions in terms of number of and heights of corrugations such that a wall length reduction resulting from the corrugations along the inner curve is kept at a minimal value necessary to absorb overlength on the inner curve resulting from forming the bend, and in that on an outer curve of the bend the tube wall is smooth and free of corrugations.

Abstract: A metal bend pipe having a bend portion bent in a semi-circular arc shape is provided, in which an identification part that enables one of the two end portions of the bend portion to be identified as the bending-start side or the bending-end side is provided, and the identification part is integrally formed as a protruding and/or recessed three-dimensional region. Thus, it is possible to easily and reliably identify which of the two end portions of the bend portion is the bending-start side or the bending-end side.

Abstract: A system for deploying an electrode array at a target location through a hole formed in the patient's cranium. The system includes an array of electrodes attached to a substrate and an inserter attached to the substrate and/or the array of electrodes. The inserter, substrate and array of electrodes are configured into a first compressed state and are positioned within the lumen of a cannula. Using the cannula, the system is inserted through the hole, the cannula is then removed, and the inserter is used to transition the substrate and electrode array from the first compressed state to a second uncompressed state, thereby deploying the array of electrodes at the target location.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a part forming system. The part forming system comprises a field shaper having a cavity configured to receive a workpiece and a die. The field shaper has a number of dimensions based on being inserted into a main coil. The workpiece is bent to form a part with a desired shape when an electromagnetic field from the main coil is applied to the field shaper while the field shaper is located within the main coil.

Abstract: A handle includes handle grips and a handle pipe including an attachment portion, a first grip portion, a second grip portion, a first bent portion between the attachment portion and the first grip portion, and a second bent portion between the attachment portion and the second grip portion. The first grip portion includes a first overlapping region overlapping a first handle grip and a first non-overlapping region not overlapping the first handle grip. The second grip portion includes a second overlapping region overlapping a second handle grip and a second non-overlapping region not overlapping the second handle grip. The first and second non-overlapping regions each include a thick portion having a thickness larger than, or equal to, a thickness of the attachment portion. The first and second overlapping regions each include a thin portion having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the thick portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for molding a pipe body that can inexpensively mold a pipe body having a tapered portion radially outwardly projecting relative to a large-diameter portion. The method for molding a pipe body comprises: molding of a tubular body by bending an unfolded stock so as to wrap a core metal; and removal of the core metal from inside the tubular body. The core metal comprises a first core metal piece for molding a projecting portion of the tapered portion. During the molding of the tubular body, the first core metal piece at least partly abuts on an inner surface of the projecting portion of the tapered portion, and does not abut on an area of the inner surface of the large-diameter portion located in an opposite side of a central axis of the large-diameter portion from the projecting portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bending a pipe and checking a bent shape of the pipe. The apparatus includes a bender for forming a bend in the pipe and at least two cameras for determining an alignment of the pipe in proximity to the free end of the pipe.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a bent member of the present invention includes a holding step of holding one end portion of a long steel material having an opening end in a longitudinal direction by a chuck, a feeding step of feeding the steel material in the longitudinal direction with the one end portion as a head after the holding step, a heating step of performing high-frequency induction heating on a portion of the steel material in the longitudinal direction to form a heated portion, a bending step of moving the chuck in a three-dimensional direction to apply a bending moment to the heated portion, and a cooling step of injecting a cooling medium to the heated portion to cool the heated portion after the bending step.

Abstract: A method for determining elastomer types as pipe filler for pressure bending of a pipe, comprising: selecting a set of elastomer types; obtaining sample pieces from the elastomer types; applying strain test on the sample pieces; determining properties of the sample pieces; calculating strain energy and error function for each sample piece based on an energy model; calculating elastic modulus for each sample piece; selecting elastomer types from the set of elastomer types; analyzing results from the calculation of strain energy, error function and the elastic modulus for the selected elastomer types; simulating the pressure bending process of the pipe, using pipe filler made from the selected elastomer types; and when simulation results indicate an acceptable pressure bent pipe due to the simulated pressure bending, selecting the one or more elastomer types associated with the acceptable pressure bent pipe for the pipe filler.

Abstract: A method and die set for manufacturing a metal component with a three-dimensional edge from a blank as a raw material. The blank is cut from a metal sheet and has a curve-shaped curved edge portion with two ends. The method includes providing a bend formation line and forming the three-dimensional shape using a first die and a second die.

Abstract: A method of cutting a continuous hollow tubular member having a fully expanded configuration with an outer diameter D, includes the steps of feeding the continuous hollow tubular member in the fully expanded configuration to a cutting station, cutting the continuous hollow tubular member into a plurality of hollow tubular members, each of which has a first flattened end and expanding the first flattened end of the plurality of hollow tubular members to the fully expanded configuration such that the first end of the plurality of hollow tubular members has an outer diameter D.

Abstract: A wire-forming mechanism for spring making machine includes a base frame with two first sliding rail sets, and two wire-forming assemblies for independently performing a two-dimensional action. Each wire-forming assembly includes a movable base panel slidably mounted on one respective first sliding rail set and providing a second sliding rail set that extends in a perpendicular manner relative to the first sliding rail sets, a tool panel slidably mounted on the second sliding rail set and providing an L-shaped tool mount, one or multiple tools selectively mounted in the L-shaped tool mount, and two driving mechanisms for moving the movable base panel along one respective first sliding rail set and the tool panel along the second sliding rail set respectively.

Abstract: A work processing apparatus upwardly turns a wrist of a vertical articulated robot to retract a hand that is holding a work to a position where the hand and work do not interfere with a press brake. In this state, an engaging projection arranged at a front end of an upper arm or at the wrist is inserted into an engaging hole of a lower die of the press brake and the vertical articulated robot is operated to move the lower die along a groove of a die holder.

Abstract: An apparatus used to repair damage from metal body panels of a transportation container. The apparatus includes a platform having wheels that can optionally be locked. The apparatus further includes a pivoting arm that can be selectively raised, lowered, extended or retracted to repair virtually any area of a transportation container. At the end of the pivoting arm is a cross-arm member comprised of a piston repair arm that can be fitted with a plurality of attachments depending on the contours of the surface being repaired. The area to be repaired can include perimeter walls, ceilings, doorframes, and/or corner posts. The pivoting arm and piston repair arm are driven using a pneumo-hydraulic system that is lighter than any other system currently used on transportation repair devices. The substantial reduction in weight allows the apparatus to readily enter transportation containers and be easily handled by a single operator.

Abstract: An automated bender and its method of operation according to some embodiments of the disclosure is provided. The automated bender includes a carousel which has all of the necessary components for bending a variety of conduit sizes provided thereon. The carousel can be rotated to a desired bending position to bend a particular type of conduit. A straight workpiece is fed into the automated bender and a bent workpiece, which may have multiple bends therein, is output from the automated bender. This bending process is performed without manual intervention. Software for achieving same is provided.

Abstract: A connection pipe and a method of manufacturing the connection pipe for an evaporator of a refrigeration device is disclosed. In the connection pipe and method, high-frequency welding is performed while a first pipe is at one side of a tube and a second pipe is at another side of the tube are welded, and a first curvature portion is in the first pipe and a second curvature portion is in the second pipe. Even though the connection pipe according to the present disclosure is forced or pressed to connect a suction pipe to the second pipe, the connection pipe may not be deformed or damaged due to a structural characteristic during installation of the evaporator in the refrigeration device.

Abstract: A fishing net includes a hoop formed of a section of tubing bent to a loop-like configuration, the hoop defining a net opening. An elongate handle is secured to the hoop at a proximal portion thereof, and a net bag is supported on the hoop. The hoop is formed with a cross-sectional profile that varies along at least a portion of the length of the section of tubing. A method of forming a hoop for a fishing net is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus (120) for making an adaptor (2) which is used in heating and ventilation systems and which is used to connect ducting which is of a square cross sectional shape to ducting which is of a circular cross sectional shape, which apparatus (120) comprises: (i) a work area (24) for receiving sheet metal (127) to be made into the adaptor (2); (ii) a creasing member (28) which is for creasing the sheet metal (127) on the work area (24); (iii) a pivot member (122) about which the sheet metal (127) is pivoted on the work area such that the creasing member (28) is able to make a plurality of creases (146) which are in the sheet metal (127) and which extend from the pivot member (122) in order to produce a transition part of the adaptor (2) which is positioned between a first end of the adaptor (2) which is of the square cross sectional shape and a second end of the adaptor (2) which is of the circular cross sectional shape; (iv) operator means (32) for causing the creasing member (28) to operate and crease t

Abstract: A method of bending a tube arrangement including an inner tube disposed within an outer tube is performed using a bending die having a concave groove including a curved portion extending around a peripheral surface of the bending die, the curved portion of the concave groove having at least one ridge projecting therefrom. The tube arrangement is located within the concave groove and a force is applied to the tube arrangement in a direction toward the curved portion of the bending die to cause the tube arrangement to conform to the shape of the concave groove. The at least one ridge projecting from the concave groove causes the outer tube to deform such that an interior surface of the outer tube contacts an exterior surface of the inner tube, securing a position of the inner tube within the outer tube.

Abstract: A machine to bend pipes and the like, equipped with at least one bending die working table more than the machines used to bend pipes and the like,

Abstract: In an abrasion resistant welded steel pipe, each of a base material and a weld metal contains specific amounts of chemical composition. The base material of the abrasion resistant welded steel pipe has a Vickers hardness within the range of 150 to 250, and the weld metal has a Vickers hardness within the range of 230 to 350. A weld heat affected zone in the abrasion resistant welded steel pipe has a Vickers hardness within the range of 150 to 350. In the weld metal, the dispersion density of a sulfide having an aspect ratio of 5 or more and containing at least one selected from Fe, Mn, and Ti is 10 grains/mm2 or less. The abrasion resistant welded steel pipe that can be produced at high productivity and low cost with no reduction in weld crack resistance can be provided.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensionally bending a workpiece comprises feeding the workpiece by a feeding unit provided at an upstream side of the workpiece, supporting the workpiece by a supporting unit at a downstream side of the feeding unit, processing the workpiece by clamping the workpiece with a three-dimensionally movable unit that is provided downstream of the supporting unit, heating a local part of the workpiece in a temperature range which allows quenching to be performed, applying a bending moment to the heated local part of the workpiece by the three-dimensionally movable unit in association with the supporting position and/or the moving speed of the workpiece after the heating step, and rapidly quenching the heated portion. Even when a high-strength workpiece is bent, it is possible to effectively obtain a product having excellent shape fixability and uniform hardness distribution at low costs for wide application for bending sophisticated automobile parts.

Abstract: A cylindrical shell for a tank of a railway tank car is made using roll-forming technology and straight longitudinal weld seams. The cylindrical shell has a longitudinal axis and a uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The cylindrical shell includes a plurality of elongated segments welded together along weld seams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell. Each elongated segment forms a portion of the cross-sectional shape of the shell and is formed by passing a flat piece of metal plate stock material through a roll-forming machine configured to progressively bend the piece of stock material. In one embodiment, exactly three identical elongated segments, each defining an arc of 120 degrees, are welded together along adjacent longitudinal edges to form a cylindrical shell having a circular cross-section.

Abstract: The cross section of a curved portion of a curved cannula is oval shaped. The oval is oriented such that a major axis of the oval is generally aligned with the curved portion's bend radius. In one aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall approaches the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this first aspect, a wider contact patch area between the instrument component and the cannula results, which reduces friction and stick-slip during insertion. In another aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall is less than the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this second aspect, two contact patches are established between the instrument component and cannula, which also reduces friction and stick-slip during instrument insertion.

Abstract: A flat wiring member includes a plurality of rectangular enamel coated wires arranged in the form of a flat plate, a wiring stem portion that the rectangular enamel coated wires are arranged in parallel to each other and adjacent ones of the rectangular enamel coated wires are bonded to each other at a surface of an enamel coat layer thereof, and a wiring branch portion with the rectangular enamel coated wires bent so as to branch off from the wiring stem portion.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally bending machine comprises a supporting unit to support a workpiece and a feeding unit to feed the workpiece from an upstream side of the workpiece. A heating and cooling unit, provided around the outer circumference of a portion of the workpiece downstream of said supporting unit heats the portion of workpiece in a temperature range for plastic deformation and quenches and rapidly cools the deformed workpiece. A three-dimensionally movable unit, provided downstream of said heating and cooling unit, supports the metal material and controls the supporting position and/or the moving speed of the metal material to apply the bending moment in association with a feed amount, a heating amount, and a cooling amount of the workpiece. Even when a high-strength workpiece is bent, a workpiece having excellent shape fixability and uniform hardness distribution can be made, especially for application to sophisticated automobile parts.

Abstract: A clamp ring and process for manufacturing a clamp ring to effectively reduce, if not eliminate, waste scrap from the manufacturing process. The clamp ring and process for manufacturing the same, results in clamp ring having a seam formed by a metal joining technique such as welding, brazing, bolting, soldering, and clinching.

Abstract: A method for producing a tube with a bent progression or with a bend embodied as a transverse progression. For bending the tube or for each fold of the transverse progression, two miter cuts are made into an essentially straight tube, thus creating two tube sections with miter cut surfaces extending along the cutting planes and a cutting wedge. The miter cuts are placed such that the cutting planes intersect at a point located inside the tube wall, and at this point a bendable bar is left intact connecting the two tube sections. The miter cuts are made such that the cutting wedge first remains in the tube via not-severed or incompletely severed holding points for tube transport. The cutting wedge is then removed and the miter cut surfaces of the two tube sections are folded onto each other around the bar which acts as a hinge and then allows both tube sections to be welded together all around their miter cut surfaces.

Abstract: A lever bender includes a first handle pivotally attached to a second handle. The first handle includes a forming mandrel around which a pipe is bent and a stop member for receiving and substantially holding the pipe in place prior to bending. The second handle includes a forming head that engages and bends the pipe around the forming mandrel. The stop member includes a pipe-engaging member that receives a pipe and a locking member adjacent to the pipe-engaging member. The locking member includes a retaining member moveable between a projecting position where the retaining member secures the pipe between the pipe-engaging member and the locking member and a retracted position permitting a pipe to either be received within the pipe-engaging member or removed from the pipe-engaging member.

Abstract: A bent member having a bent portion with an extremely small bend radius is manufactured by supporting a rectangular tube by a first support means disposed at a first position A while performing relative feeding of the rectangular tube in its lengthwise direction, locally heating the rectangular tube by a heating means disposed at a second position B, cooling the rectangular tube by a cooling means disposed at a third position C, and at the time of working, applying a shear force to the heated portion of the rectangular tube with a shear force applying means 14 disposed in a downstream region D by moving the device 14 two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally simultaneously in the feed direction of the rectangular tube and in a direction generally parallel to a transverse cross section in the lengthwise direction of the rectangular tube which was heated by the heating means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending machine for the production of bent profile sections, in particular for exchanger tubes, including a frame on which an articulated arm is mounted consisting of a rotatably fixed arm capable moving along a transverse axis of movement, and a rotary arm supported by a rotary shaft and having a means for attaching a clamping jaw, a means for mounting either a freely rotating roller or a clamping shape rotatably secured about said rotary shaft on the rotary shaft of the articulated arm, driving rollers distributed in two series and positioned on either side of a bending axis, and a means for actuating said driving rollers for synchronously rotating the latter.

Abstract: A foam reinforced and bent tube for use in a vehicle seat frame and a method of forming such a tube are provided. The tube has a cavity which extends along its length and at least one open end. The foam may be inserted into the cavity through any desirable process including, for example, injection. The bend is formed by heating a portion of the tubular element and bending it at the heated region. The insertion of the foam material into the cavity of the tubular element may precede, follow or be simultaneous with the heating and bending processes. The foam material may have a variable type and/or a variable density through the length of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for bending a metal conduit. A structural framework defines an elongated rectangular planar layout surface sized to continuously contact the metal conduit in support while making a bend mark on the metal conduit. A coordinate reference measures a placement of the bend mark on the metal conduit. A grooved bending shoe is mounted to the framework and configured to bend the metal conduit.

Abstract: A radially expansible annular stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a plurality of stenting turns around a lumen centred on a longitudinal axis. Adjacent turns of the stent are joined by connector struts. The stent annulus has a wall thickness related to the material from which it is formed. The radial thickness of the connector struts is smaller than that of the stent annulus. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed. The method includes cutting the connector struts from a tubular workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is aimed so as to be offset from a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to provide the reduced radial thickness of the connector struts.

Abstract: Provided are a seamless bent pipe constituted by a bent section and straight pipe sections on both ends of the bent section, with the inside diameter at each pipe end portion being larger than the inside diameter of the bent section, and a welded component comprising a seamless bent pipe and a seamless straight pipe at one or each end of the seamless bent pipe, with the end of the seamless straight pipe to be welded to one or each end of the seamless bent pipe having the same inside diameter as the inside diameter of the seamless bent pipe, as well as methods of manufacturing them. As a result, elements suited for use in pipelines can be obtained, without unnecessarily increasing the wall thickness of the seamless bent pipe and without internal machining of the pipe end portions of the seamless bent pipe after the manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a corner of a frame-type spacer for insulating glass panels by (a) making a metal hollow profile rod available, which rod has an outer wall, two parallel flanks, and an inner wall, (b) indenting the inner wall and the two flanks in the position of the hollow profile rod where the corner is supposed to be formed, and (c) bending the hollow profile rod by a defined angle.

Abstract: A shielded cable is mainly configured by an electromagnetic shielding tube, a terminal, and an electric wire or the like. An electric wire is inserted into an inside of the electromagnetic shielding tube. The terminal is connected to both end portions of the electric wire that serves as a covered wire. In the present invention, a structure in which the terminal is connected to the electric wire is called a structure of a shielded cable. The electromagnetic shielding tube is configured by an inner layer made of plastic, a metal layer made of metal, and an outer layer made of plastic. The electromagnetic shielding tube is configured such that the inner layer is formed on an innermost layer, the outer layer is formed on an outermost layer, and the metal layer is formed between the inner layer and the outer layer.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine has a stiff-back which is driven by a pivoting wedge. A linkage applies force from the actuator to the wedge in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stiff-back. The stiff-back pivots on a first fulcrum and the wedge slides on a bed which pivots on a second fulcrum. The actuator drives the wedge between the stiff-back and the bed to rotate the stiff-back at the first fulcrum and bend the pipe seated in the stiff-back against the pipe bending face of a die. The conversion of the longitudinal force applied to the wedge into a transverse force applied to the stiff-back provides a significant mechanical advantage which varies directionally as the stiff-back rotates about its fulcrum to maintain a constant force on the stiff-back.

Abstract: A bent member having excellent dimensional accuracy is manufactured by stably forming a high temperature portion uniformly in the circumferential direction of a steel tube and in a narrow region in the axial direction of the steel. The bent member is manufactured by supporting a steel tube at a first position while feeding it, performing induction heating of the steel tube at a second position with an induction heating coil, cooling the steel tube at a third position to form a high temperature portion which moves in the axial direction of the steel tube, and three-dimensionally varying the position of a gripping mechanism for the steel tube in a region to apply a bending moment to the high temperature portion.

Abstract: Provided are a seamless bent pipe constituted by a bent section and straight pipe sections on both ends of the bent section, with the inside diameter at each pipe end portion being larger than the inside diameter of the bent section, and a welded component comprising a seamless bent pipe and a seamless straight pipe at one or each end of the seamless bent pipe, with the end of the seamless straight pipe to be welded to one or each end of the seamless bent pipe having the same inside diameter as the inside diameter of the seamless bent pipe, as well as methods of manufacturing them. As a result, elements suited for use in pipelines can be obtained, without unnecessarily increasing the wall thickness of the seamless bent pipe and without internal machining of the pipe end portions of the seamless bent pipe after the manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a tube bender having a bend die, a clamp die, a pressure die and a wiper die. The method includes providing a test-piece having an outer surface defined by a length and a substantially round cross-section. The method also includes arranging the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die relative to each other in the tube bender, and arranging the test-piece relative to the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die. The method further includes applying a force by the tube bender to clamp the test-piece, and determining whether the applied force is within a predetermined range of forces. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die to apply a force to the test-piece that is within the predetermined range of forces.

Abstract: A bending apparatus which manufactures a bent metal member with high productivity and excellent dimensional has a first support mechanism, which supports a steel tube while feeding it, a heating mechanism, which heats all or a portion of the steel tube, a cooling mechanism, which forms a high temperature portion in part of the steel tube by cooling a portion of the heater steel tube, a second support mechanism, which imparts a bending moment to the high temperature portion and bends the steel tube to a desired shape by moving two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting at least a portion of the steel tube, and a deformation preventing mechanism, which prevents deformation of the steel tube. At least one of the second support mechanism and the deformation preventing mechanism has a chuck which has a tubular member with a circular, polygonal, or special transverse cross section for gripping the steel tube.

Abstract: A method of making a rear hub of a bicycle comprises: swaging a straight pipe into an hour-glass-shaped semi product, extruding the semi-product to form a hub flange, punching a plurality of holes in the hub flange of the semi-product, binding an edge of an end of the semi-product, necking down the edge-bound end of the semi-product, trimming the semi-product, and chamfering the holes of the semi-product to form a chamfer structure on an edge of the respective holes.

Abstract: A method enhances fatigue strength of ear portions which are high fatigue risk parts in a torsion beam almost without bringing about disadvantages in terms of productivity and cost. A torsion beam is formed with a portion of the tubular body into an approximately U-shape in cross section by crushing the portion of the tubular body in the radial direction and, thereafter, due to bending with a bottom line set as a belly side of bending, a bending strain of 2 to 6% in the tube longitudinal direction on a tensile side is imparted to the ear portions.

Abstract: Provided are a pipe which exhibits corrosion resistance against vapor of fuel such as gasoline, diesel oil, bioethanol or a biodiesel fuel, a method for manufacturing the pipe, and a steel sheet for manufacturing the pipe. A method for manufacturing a pipe having a bent portion which has excellent corrosion resistance against fuel vapor includes the steps of; preparing a steel sheet for manufacturing a pipe which is characterized by having a zinc-nickel (Zn—Ni) alloy layer where a nickel content is 4 to 16 at % on at least one surface of the steel sheet; forming the steel sheet for manufacturing a pipe into a tubular shape such that the Zn—Ni alloy layer forms an inner surface of the pipe, and applying bending to the pipe such that the elongation of the bent convex portion generated at the time of bending the pipe falls within 20%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bent metal member comprises supporting the outer surface of a tubular metal material having a Zn-Fe alloy coating layer at two locations spaced in the axial direction of the metal material. The metal material is fed in its axial direction and heated at a position between the two locations to a temperature range of at least the Ac3 point at a heating speed such that the rate of temperature increase is at least 3.0×102° C. per second, held so that the time for which the surface of the metal material is at a temperature of 8.0×102° C. or higher is at most 2 seconds, and then rapid cooled. A bending moment is imparted to the healed portion in two or three dimensions to manufacture a bent metal member having on its surface a Zn-based layer which contains an ?, phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a duct is disclosed that is suitable for aerospace applications, for example. The method includes the steps of providing a longitudinally extending duct having a first wall thickness at an end portion and a second wall thickness at a portion that is less than the first wall thickness. The duct is bent at the portion to a desired shape to provide a tube having at least one bend located within a distance of one duct diameter from the first wall thickness.

Abstract: A tube extending along a tube axis is straightened by radially outwardly plastically deforming and expanding the tube by means of an expander mandrel and simultaneously bending the tube by applying radially inwardly directed forces to the tube at three points lying on a triangle. One of the points is level with the mandrel on one side of the tube and the other two points axially flank it in axially opposite directions and bear on the other side of the tube.

Abstract: The cross section of a curved portion of a curved cannula is oval shaped. The oval is oriented such that a major axis of the oval is generally aligned with the curved portion's bend radius. In one aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall approaches the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this first aspect, a wider contact patch area between the instrument component and the cannula results, which reduces friction and stick-slip during insertion. In another aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall is less than the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this second aspect, two contact patches are established between the instrument component and cannula, which also reduces friction and stick-slip during instrument insertion.

Abstract: According to an implementation a method for manufacturing a pedal for a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprising inserting into a hollow profile a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member and subsequently applying one or more forces to an external surface of the hollow profile to induce a change in shape of the hollow profile from a first shape to a second shape. The substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the hollow profile as the one or more forces are applied to the external wall surface of the hollow profile so that the internal wall surface is substantially free of deformations upon the hollow profile assuming the second shape, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the applied one or more forces to accommodate a change in shape of the hollow profile from the first shape to the second shape.