Abstract: A tube bending machine having a rotatable bend die, a pressure die, a clamp die, an actuator and a controller. A clamp assembly holds the clamp die and includes a base, a clamp die holder which is spring biased away from and slideably engageable with the base. A spacer is also attached to the base and is moveable between positions. A gear rotatably mounted to the base is attached to a first and second cam by a shaft and the gear moves on a rack. The first cam is followed by a cam follower which moves to allow the spacer to change positions. The clamp die holder may move toward the housing in case the clamp die engages an obstruction, thus avoiding damage or injury to the obstruction. A second position of the spacer substantially blocks the space between the clamp die holder and the base, thus making a substantially rigid connection between them. The second position is used during the tube bending process.

Abstract: A tube bending machine having a rotatable bend die, a pressure die, a clamp die, an actuator and a controller. A clamp assembly holds the clamp die and includes a base, a clamp die holder which is spring biased away from and slideably engageable with the base. A spacer is also attached to the base and is moveable between positions. A gear rotatably mounted to the base is attached to a first and second cam by a shaft and the gear moves on a rack. The first cam is followed by a cam follower which moves to allow the spacer to change positions. The clamp die holder may move toward the housing in case the clamp die engages an obstruction, thus avoiding damage or injury to the obstruction. A second position of the spacer substantially blocks the space between the clamp die holder and the base, thus making a substantially rigid connection between them. The second position is used during the tube bending process.

Abstract: A tube bending machine is provided which includes a rotatable bend die about which the tube is bent and a rotatable clamp die disposed outwardly of said bend die and movable to secure the tube between the clamp die and the bend die. A clamp die positioning system is provided which includes a drop-away clamp die holder supporting the clamp die, a hydraulic cylinder directly attached to the die clamp holder which advances and retracts the clamp die holder, and an electro-pneumatic control system which drives the cylinder at preselected pressures. The electro-hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pump, a directional valve which varies the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, a proportional pressure reducing valve which varies the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, and a microprocessor controller which provides control signals to set the pressure to the preselected levels.