Abstract: A bending press for bending metal plates for the production of large diameter pipe has an articulation for the upper die member which reduces bending moments as applied to the bending sword or ram. The articulation can be between the upper die and the foot of the bending sword and a second articulation can be provided between the bending sword and the head of it affixed to the head of the press.

Abstract: There is provided a cold folding method for a hollow tube of magnesium material. The method has the steps of: providing an inner rib at opposite sides of a hollow square tube made of magnesium material, accommodating the square tube, having opposed ends received in the upper portion guide member of the female mold, in an inner portion of the lower portion protection member of the male mold, and lowering the male mold to fold the square tube by the combination of the curved surface portion of the male mold and the curved surface of the female mold.

Abstract: A rod bender includes a ram shaft, having a distal end with an arcuate rod contact surface, that is movable along a shaft path that passes between two rollers, each having a curved roller surface. Each of the rollers is positionable, in an analog manner, at a variety of positions along a respective roller path, relative to a distal position of the arcuate rod contact surface. A straight rod, positioned against the rollers so that it spans the space separating the rollers and crosses the shaft path, can be rammed with the ram shaft so that the rod is bent into an arc. The rod is bent as the movement of the ram shaft pushes the arcuate rod contact surface forward against the center of the rod, while the curved roller surfaces prevent corresponding forward movement of the lateral portions of the rod.

Abstract: A sheet metal follower associated with a press for bending a metal sheet, the follower being of the type comprising a pivot mechanism capable of causing the follower table to tilt, wherein a toothed wheel that is prevented from rotating is connected to a second toothed wheel by a cog belt, wherein the second toothed wheel pivots inside the cog belt, thereby causing the follower table to pivot about the rotary shaft, and wherein the upward and downward movements of the follower table are synchronized with its pivoting movement so that the plane in which the top support face of said table lies always includes the front edge of the matrix of the bending press.

Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of cylindrical metal steel rods. To accurately locate the physical midpoint of the rod-to-be-cut, a novel head centering and positioning mechanism automatically sets the midpoint distance for each setup as the length of the finished rod stock is changed. The steel rod that is used to manufacture the U-bolts is inserted lengthwise into a cutoff saw station or machine until it comes in contact with a stop that is set to the desired predetermined length. An automatic centering device positions the magnetizing heads located at the longitudinal center, on each side, of the steel rod. A high-energy rectangular pulse imparts a permanent invisible magnetic mark at the longitudinal center of the steel rod before being formed into a U-bolt. The rod is then suitably cut to the desired predetermined length, and each of the opposite ends threaded with the desired thread size.

Abstract: A vertical compression bending machine that uses linear bearings to guide the ram and cushions assemblies. The inventive machine also employs an adjustment mechanism to align the wing dies relative to one another.

Abstract: A straight rod is automatically positioned at the center of a mandrel of a U-bolt bending machine for subsequent bending into a U-bolt by the bending machine. The rod is positioned between spaced centering plates of a centering device mounted to the machine. The centering plates are coupled to a transport mechanism of the centering device that automatically provides for conjoint oppositely directed movement of the centering plates to automatically center and position the centerline of the rod at the centerline of the machine without marking or measuring the rod or other tasks previously required to accurately position the rod.

Abstract: A folding apparatus (10) includes a pair of dies (20) defining a recess (20M) therebetween, a cushion pad (30) vertically movable in the recess, a pair of support blocks (40), a pair of pivoting blocks (50) rotatable about the dies, and a vertically movable punch (60). The thickness of each pivoting block is substantially equal to the distance between the cushion pad and each die. Each pivoting block defines a groove (52) in an inner surface, for shifting the center of gravity outwardly. Each support block includes a horizontal portion (42) secured under the cushionpad, an inclined portion (46), and a shoulder (44) between the horizontal portion and the inclined portion.

Abstract: A multi-purpose hydraulic press, metal bending, and log splitting apparatus is disclosed. An hydraulic ram, having a piston cylinder for extending and retracting a piston rod driven by an hydraulic power means, is rigidly affixed to an elongated I-beam frame member, the central portion of which spans a throat area bounded on one side by the hydraulic ram and on the opposite side by a rigidly attached foot plate. The foot plate is formed of a planar steel member affixed perpendicularly to the frame member, and forms a ram extension penetration orifice within the plane of the plate in a position aligned with the piston rod. A series of functional inserts are included for placement against the foot plate or piston rod. A series of functional extension elements are also included for placement against the piston rod for extension through the ram extension penetration orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal ring for placement in the space between a radial groove of a cylindrical member and a housing forming a bore in which the cylindrical member is movably positioned, which is free of scoring and has a fracture line through its thickness to form opposing faces. The faces are rough and mesh together such that when the faces are forced into contact, the faces are then interlocked. Furthermore, the seal ring has true roundness to enable the seal ring to seal the space despite presence of the fracture line. The seal ring is made up of a rigid polymer such as a polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, and polybenzimidazole. The seal ring of the present invention is capable of single ring sealing of the space between the bore and the radial groove. The present invention also provides a device for fracturing the seal ring.