Abstract: Tube processing systems for bending and notching a tube fed from a feed position. The tube processing system includes a notching system and a bending system. The notching system is configured to cut a notch in the tube. The bending system is disposed between the notching system and the feed position and is configured to bend the tube. The notching system includes a cutting head and a positioning system. The cutting head is configured to cut a notch in the tube. The positioning system movably supports the cutting head and is configured to move the cutting head relative to the tube to a selected cutting position. The bending system includes a bending die and a clamp. The bending die is rotationally driven to bend the tube. The clamp is configured to secure the tube to the bending die.

Abstract: Pressure die systems configured to be used in a tube bending machine having a machine frame. The pressure die systems include a system frame, a first pressure die, a second pressure die, and a pivot assembly. The first pressure die is supported on the system frame. The second pressure die is spaced from the first pressure die and supported on the system frame. The pivot assembly is moveably mounted to the system frame between the first pressure die and the second pressure die. The system frame pivots about the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is configured to move relative to the system frame to different positions between the first pressure die and the second pressure die to define different pivot positions for the system frame.

Abstract: Pressure die systems configured to be used in a tube bending machine having a machine frame. The pressure die systems include a system frame, a first pressure die, a second pressure die, and a pivot assembly. The first pressure die is supported on the system frame. The second pressure die is spaced from the first pressure die and supported on the system frame. The pivot assembly is moveably mounted to the system frame between the first pressure die and the second pressure die. The system frame pivots about the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is configured to move relative to the system frame to different positions between the first pressure die and the second pressure die to define different pivot positions for the system frame.

Abstract: Tube bending devices including a device actuator, a crank assembly, a bending die, and a clamp assembly. The crank assembly is mechanically coupled to the device actuator. The bending die is mechanically coupled to the crank assembly. The clamp assembly is operatively coupled to the bending die and secures the tube to the bending die. The device actuator selectively drives the crank assembly. In some examples, the crank assembly selectively rotates the bending die over at least 180 degrees. In some examples, the bending die includes an axle and the crank assembly includes a first link, a crank actuator, and a second link. The first link is pivotally coupled to the device actuator and coupled to the axle. The crank actuator is pivotally coupled to the first link. The second link is pivotally coupled to the crank actuator and coupled to the axle.

Abstract: Tube bending devices for bending a tube. The tube bending devices include an actuator, a crank, a bending die, and a clamp assembly. The crank is mechanically coupled to the actuator. The bending die is mechanically coupled to the crank. The clamp assembly is operatively coupled to the bending die and configured to selectively secure the tube to the bending die. The actuator selectively drives the crank. The crank selectively rotates the bending die. The crank is configured to rotate the bending die over at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: Tube processing systems for bending and notching a tube fed from a feed position. The tube processing system includes a notching system and a bending system. The notching system is configured to cut a notch in the tube. The bending system is disposed between the notching system and the feed position and is configured to bend the tube. The notching system includes a cutting head and a positioning system. The cutting head is configured to cut a notch in the tube. The positioning system movably supports the cutting head and is configured to move the cutting head relative to the tube to a selected cutting position. The bending system includes a bending die and a clamp. The bending die is rotationally driven to bend the tube. The clamp is configured to secure the tube to the bending die.

Abstract: Retrofit systems for converting a manual press to an automated press. The retrofit systems include a first shaft, a second shaft, a first spacer, and a second spacer. The first shaft is mounted to a first vertical member and is coupled to a first cross member and to a second cross member. The second shaft is mounted to a second vertical member and is coupled to the first cross member and to the second cross member. The first spacer is supported by the first shaft and is disposed between the first vertical member and the first cross member. The second spacer is supported by the second shaft and is disposed between the second vertical member and the first cross member. The first spacer and the second spacer are selected to increase the space between the first cross member and the second cross member to accommodate an automatically actuated press.

Abstract: Tube bending machines configured to bend a tube at a target bend location. The tube bending machines include a frame, a bending die assembly, and an alignment stem. The bending die assembly is supported on the frame and configured to bend the tube. The bending die assembly includes a bending die, a wheel frame, and a clamp. The wheel frame is coaxially mounted to the bending die. The clamp is configured to secure the tube to the wheel frame. The bending die, the wheel frame, and the clamp cooperate to define an actual bend location where the tube will be bent by the bending die assembly. The alignment system is operatively supported on the frame and configured to align the target bend location with the actual bend location.

Abstract: Tube bending systems configured to bend a tube. The tube bending systems include a tube bending device and a lubrication system. The tube bending device includes a bending device frame and a bending die assembly. The tube bending device is configured to bend the tube. The bending die assembly is mounted to the bending device frame and includes a bending die against which the tube is selectively bent. The lubrication system is configured to selectively direct a lubrication fluid to the tube proximate the bending die assembly.

Abstract: Retrofit systems for converting a manual press to an automated press. The retrofit systems include a first shaft, a second shaft, a first spacer, and a second spacer. The first shaft is mounted to a first vertical member and is coupled to a first cross member and to a second cross member. The second shaft is mounted to a second vertical member and is coupled to the first cross member and to the second cross member. The first spacer is supported by the first shaft and is disposed between the first vertical member and the first cross member. The second spacer is supported by the second shaft and is disposed between the second vertical member and the first cross member. The first spacer and the second spacer are selected to increase the space between the first cross member and the second cross member to accommodate an automatically actuated press.

Abstract: A tube notching device for forming a notch in a tubular workpiece. The tube notching device includes a support frame, a vise, a positioning assembly, a cutting assembly, and a cutting mechanism. The vise is mounted to the support frame and secures the tubular workpiece in a desired support position. The positioning assembly is pivotally mounted to the support frame. The cutting assembly is pivotally mounted to the positioning assembly. The cutting mechanism is mounted to the cutting assembly and configured to form a notch in the tubular workpiece. The positioning assembly and the cutting assembly cooperate to position the cutting mechanism in a desired notching position relative to the tubular workpiece supported in the vise in the desired support position. The cutting mechanism operates to form a desired notch in the tubular workpiece when the cutting mechanism is in the desired notching position.

Abstract: Tube bending devices including a device actuator, a crank assembly, a bending die, and a clamp assembly. The crank assembly is mechanically coupled to the device actuator. The bending die is mechanically coupled to the crank assembly. The clamp assembly is operatively coupled to the bending die and secures the tube to the bending die. The device actuator selectively drives the crank assembly. In some examples, the crank assembly selectively rotates the bending die over at least 180 degrees. In some examples, the bending die includes an axle and the crank assembly includes a first link, a crank actuator, and a second link. The first link is pivotally coupled to the device actuator and coupled to the axle. The crank actuator is pivotally coupled to the first link. The second link is pivotally coupled to the crank actuator and coupled to the axle.

Abstract: Tube bending devices for bending a tube. The tube bending devices include an actuator, a crank, a bending die, and a clamp assembly. The crank is mechanically coupled to the actuator. The bending die is mechanically coupled to the crank. The clamp assembly is operatively coupled to the bending die and configured to selectively secure the tube to the bending die. The actuator selectively drives the crank. The crank selectively rotates the bending die. The crank is configured to rotate the bending die over at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: Tube bending systems configured to bend a tube. The tube bending systems include a tube bending device and a lubrication system. The tube bending device includes a bending device frame and a bending die assembly. The tube bending device is configured to bend the tube. The bending die assembly is mounted to the bending device frame and includes a bending die against which the tube is selectively bent. The lubrication system is configured to selectively direct a lubrication fluid to the tube proximate the bending die assembly.

Abstract: Workpiece securement systems for securing a workpiece in a desired position with a clamp. The workpiece securement systems include a worktable, an anchor, a shelf, and a block. A tabletop of the worktable defines a plurality of shaped openings. The anchor is disposed in a selected shaped opening and is configured to engage a bolt. The shelf is configured to support the anchor from below the tabletop in a position where the anchor extends through the selected shaped opening. The block is supported on the tabletop and selectively couples with the anchor. The block defines a mount bore and a clamp receiver bore. The bolt passing through the mount bore and engaging with the anchor secures the position of the block on the tabletop. The clamp receiver bore is configured to receive the clamp to fix the position of the workpiece.

Abstract: A tube notching device for forming a notch in a tubular workpiece. The tube notching device includes a support frame, a vise, a positioning assembly, a cutting assembly, and a cutting mechanism. The vise is mounted to the support frame and secures the tubular workpiece in a desired support position. The positioning assembly is pivotally mounted to the support frame. The cutting assembly is pivotally mounted to the positioning assembly. The cutting mechanism is mounted to the cutting assembly and configured to form a notch in the tubular workpiece. The positioning assembly and the cutting assembly cooperate to position the cutting mechanism in a desired notching position relative to the tubular workpiece supported in the vise in the desired support position. The cutting mechanism operates to form a desired notch in the tubular workpiece when the cutting mechanism is in the desired notching position.

Abstract: A protective cover for a syringe needle includes a sheath and a needle hub. The sheath preferably includes a cylindrical body terminated with a bullet shaped end. The needle hub includes a needle base and a hypodermic needle retained in the needle base. The needle base includes a bullet shape and a locking projection extending from an outer perimeter of the needle base. A lengthwise slot is formed through the cylindrical body. The lengthwise slot receives a button portion of the locking projection. A retracted locking notch is formed on one end of the extension slot. An extended locking notch is formed on an opposing end of the lengthwise slot. The button portion is retained in the retracted locking notch or the extended locking notch. A second embodiment of the protective cover includes a sheath and a needle hub. The needle hub is slidably retained in the sheath.

Abstract: A transponder has a resonant RLC circuit with one or more electromagnetic energy storage components that vary in response to an externally applied modulating energy field. In addition to the externally modulating energy field, a base station transmits a carrier signal with a frequency essentially the same as the quiescent resonant frequency of the RLC circuit. As the component(s) vary, the resonant frequency of the RLC circuit changes, modulating the carrier signal with the external modulating energy field. Effects of the modulation are detected by the base station. Information (e.g., the presence of a tag) is obtained by receiving and demodulating the modulated signal at the base station. One or more or the circuit elements (e.g, different preferred embodiments of one or more capacitors, inductors, and resistors) can be varied (e.g. mechanically) to modulate the carrier signal.