Abstract: A method for prolonging service life of a machine for bending tubes comprises flame spraying a coating of less than 0.1 mm of molybdenum or molybdenum alloy to at least one surface of a fold smoothing tool.

Abstract: In a device and in a process for bending a tube 72, the tube 72 is guided through a bending tool 71, which rotates around a section guide housing 81, 82 and also around a cam unit formed by two tubes 83, 84. Rollers 86 serve as pressing elements, and a mandrel 73 serves as an abutment; as the tube 72 is pushed through the section guide housing 81, 82 between the rollers 86 and the mandrel 73, it is squeezed to different degrees in different areas of its wall cross section, so that, as a result of the stretching and squeezing of the tube 72, a bend is produced. The size of the bending radius of the tube 72 to be bent is determined by the eccentricity adjusted via the cam unit and/or by the axial feed of the rollers 86 toward the section guide housing 81, 82. By means of the bending tool 71 according to the invention, it is possible to produce different bending radii in one and the same bending device in a tube 72 to be bent by changing the feed, that is, the distance between the rollers 86 and the mandrel 73.

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.