Abstract: A bender configured to bend a workpiece in a bending operation and its method of use are provided. The bender includes a frame, a bending shoe assembly rotatably mounted on the frame, a control system and a driver in communication therewith, and a springback assembly in communication with the control system and configured to provide information to the control system regarding information on a bend affected to the workpiece. The bending shoe assembly includes a bending shoe into which the workpiece can be seated, and a gripping member mounted on the bending shoe and configured to grip the workpiece during the bending operation. The driver provides rotational force to the bending shoe assembly to rotate the bending shoe assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a three-dimensional curve in a tubular product starting from a tube extending along a rectilinear longitudinal axis includes performing, by a first bending device, a first bending operation on a bending plane passing through the rectilinear longitudinal axis (x), so that the tube leaving the first bending device has a curved portion lying on the plane of curvature, and performing on the tube leaving the first bending device, by a second bending device, a second bending operation, so that the curved portion of the tube at the output of the second bending device has a first tangent and a second tangent (t1, t2) at its opposite ends lying on a cylindrical surface having generatrices orthogonal to two planes (A1, A2) respectively containing the first and second tangents (t1, t2). A method for manufacturing complex-curvature tubular products is also provided.

Abstract: A single bending device for continuous three-dimensional bending has a rotating and feeding holder for holding a workpiece, a bending roller assembly having multiple rollers being different in radius, a pressing roller head for bending the workpiece. The bending roller assembly can be moved to allow one predetermined roller to abut against the workpiece. Then the workpiece can be bent by the pressing roller head pushing the workpiece along the predetermined roller. Thus, as long as a different one of the rollers corresponds in position to the workpiece, a bending portion having a different curvature can be formed on the workpiece. Moreover, by controlling the moving length of the pressing roller head along the workpiece, the arc length of each bending portion of the workpiece can be controlled accordingly. It is not necessary to replace the jigs and the dies repeatedly.

Abstract: Device for bending a thread-like material, for instance a tube, with different angles and orientations, in particular for exhaust pipes and manifolds for cars, provided with at least two pairs of clamping jaws hooked to a rotary device.

Abstract: In a bending apparatus for rod-shaped workpieces, comprising a machine frame to which a bending head with bending tools is attached, which bending head is movable relative to the frame, further a feed device upstream of the bending head for feeding the workpieces to the same, and a cutting device which can be displaced in the direction of feed of the workpieces and can be applied between bending head and feed device to the respective workpiece for cutting the same, the feed device can also be displaced in the direction of feed of the workpiece in addition to the cutting device, which occurs independent of the displacement of the cutting device.

Abstract: A rotary-draw bending die with eccentric clamping for bending elongate workpieces such as pipes, wires, profile strands, etc. The die having a twistable bending mandrel, and an associated clamp die. The clamp die can be moved relative to the bending mandrel and brought from an opened position remote from the bending mandrel. A workpiece to be bent can be inserted between the bending mandrel and clamp die to a clamping position on the bending mandrel or vice-versa and is freely twistable about a swivel axis which is offset eccentrically in relation to the rotational axis of the bending mandrel. The swivel axis is disposed on a rotary plate which is rotatable relative to the bending mandrel. The clamp die is freely twistable about the swivel axis and can be moved between its clamping position and its opened position by twisting the rotary plate relative to the bending mandrel.

Abstract: This invention is a manually operated tube bending machine with a power drive mechanism that is adjustably set to a desired bend speed. The bending machine includes a bending die, a counter die and a rotating hook die to form a desired bend into a tube or pipe. The tube bender includes a drive wheel with ratchet teeth around its perimeter. A drive pin grips one of the ratchet teeth. The drive pin is secured to a lever and torque bar. During each bending stroke, the lever and torque bar incrementally rotate the drive wheel a desired amount. The rotation of the drive wheel and hook die draw the tube through the bending and counter dies to bend the tube. An anti-spring back mechanism holds the position of the drive wheel while the power drive mechanism is advanced to grip the next ratchet tooth of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A powered conduit bending tool comprises a portable drive housing including a handle and having a powered drive gear. A bracket is secured to the housing defining a pivot connection spaced from the drive gear. A guide is operatively secured to the housing. A platform is pivotally connected to the bracket at the pivot connection and includes a driven gear operatively engaging the drive gear to controllably pivot the platform. A shoe is removably mountable to the platform and comprises a first bender defining a downwardly opening arcuate channel selectively positionable proximate the guide. A hook is proximate one end of the bender for engaging a conduit received in the channel. In use, the guide supports a conduit engaged by the hook and pivotal movement of the shoe driven by the platform deforms the conduit as it passes by the guide.

Abstract: The present invention is a wiper die assembly that combines the performance of a solid-body wiper die with the economy of a inserted wiper die for high-pressure rotary-draw tube-bending. The key features of the present invention are: [1] A wiper insert attached to the wiper holder by a mechanical means that retains the bore of the insert as a smooth, uninterrupted working surface, and [2] radius face support shoe attached to the wiper holder that can be adjusted to support and stabilize the entire wiper assembly against the cavity of the bend die.

Abstract: In a rotary-draw bending die with eccentric clamping for bending elongate workpieces such as pipes, wires, profile strands or the like, comprising a twistable bending mandrel, a clamp die which is associated with said bending mandrel, can be moved relative to the same and can be brought from an opened position remote from the same in which a workpiece to be bent can be inserted between bending mandrel and clamp die to a clamping position on the bending mandrel or vice-versa and is freely twistable about a swivel axis which is offset eccentrically in relation to the rotational axis of the bending mandrel, which swivel axis is disposed on a rotary plate which is rotatable relative to the bending mandrel, the clamp die is freely twistable about the swivel axis and can be moved between its clamping position and its opened position by twisting the rotary plate relative to the bending mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention is a wiper die assembly that combines the performance of a solid-body wiper die with the economy of a inserted wiper die for high-pressure rotary-draw tube-bending. The key features of the present invention are: [1] A wiper insert attached to the wiper holder by a mechanical means that retains the bore of the insert as a smooth, uninterrupted working surface, and [2] radius face support shoe attached to the wiper holder that can be adjusted to support and stabilize the entire wiper assembly against the cavity of the bend die.

Abstract: A bending apparatus for rod-shaped and tubular workpieces, includes a rotatable bending mandrel with a bending groove is provided with a wrinkle smoothener, which immediately precedes the bending mandrel, and two sliding jaws. In order to change the bending direction around the bending mandrel, the sliding jaws can be moved to the other side thereof. In doing so, the sliding jaw on the side of the bending mandrel is arranged freely rotatable on a support axis, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the bending mandrel and whose position relative to the bending mandrel can be shifted parallel to the feeding direction of the workpiece. The sliding jaw is provided such that the end of its forming groove facing towards the bending mandrel can be placed in contact with the bending groove by shifting the support axis and, thus, its forming groove tangentially joins said groove.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine has a moving mold mechanism, which includes two mold seats positioned one above other, and pressing wheels on each mold seat to work with corresponding bending wheels of fixed molds of the machine; the mold seats are moved by means of a rotating power source whose motion is transmitted by means of a roller, which has spiral grooves; each mold seat has a sliding element secured thereto, and a guide post slidable on the sliding element and passing into a corresponding spiral grooves; guiding mechanisms are interposed between the mold seats and the fixed molds for allowing the mold seats to move up and down along a sloping path; when the rotating power source rotates the roller, both the mold seats will move forwards and backwards in crossing directions respectively as well as upwards and downwards in a sloping path respectively.

Abstract: A tube bending apparatus adapted for the noncircular bending of a tube includes a modified bend die, a modified wiper die, a translatable and pivotable element and an actuator. The bend die presents a noncircular bending profile having a linearly or nonlinearly increasing radius of curvature. The wiper die is configured to accommodate the maximum radius presented by the profile, and the element and actuator present an inclined rack and pinion configuration. The bend die presents an involute of a circle having a radius equal to the product of the radius of the pinion and the sine of the angle of inclination, so that the bend die engages the tube at a fixed point in space during bending.

Abstract: A tube-bending machine including a bending arm that is provided with a jaw support that moves horizontally in a direction of a bending head, whereby said jaw support is integral with a clamping jaw assembly that comprises at least one jaw for bending a tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending a tube counterclockwise, wherein the jaws are fixed to one another. A bending roller is fixed to the bending arm and comprises at least one jaw for bending the tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending the tube counterclockwise, whereby said jaws of the bending roller are laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of a vertical axis XX? of the bending head. A first strip support is also provided having at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent clockwise and a second strip support that includes at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent counterclockwise.

Abstract: A dual-directional pipe-bending machine bends a pipe in either direction and has a base, a transporting device and a pipe-bending assembly. The base has a bracket. The transporting device is mounted slidably on the bracket. The pipe is mounted on the transporting device. The pipe-bending assembly is mounted on the base and has a transversely moving bracket, a vertically moving bracket, a location-changing assembly, a rotating transmission device, a rotating bracket and two pipe-bending devices. The transversely and vertically moving brackets are mounted on the base. The location-changing assembly moves the transversely moving bracket and the vertically moving bracket. The rotating bracket connects to the vertically moving bracket. The rotating transmission device rotates the rotating bracket. The two pipe-bending devices are mounted on the rotating bracket.

Abstract: A pressure die having a base portion with an entrance block and an exit block attached thereto. The entrance block and exit block each have a groove adapted to receive the pipe. The curvilinear geometry of the groove of the exit block is constant so that the exit block is symmetrical and can be attached to the base portion in either a first position or a second position in which the exit block is rotated 180 degrees. The exit block is mounted onto the base portion at an angle so that the entrance portion of the exit block is lower in elevation than the exit portion of the exit block. The angle allows for a smooth transition from clearance to compression between the pipe and surface of the groove.

Abstract: A guide support for a tube bending machine comprising a base frame, a bending head, a bending arm, a bending roller, a locking jaw, sliding means for the displacement of the bending head in horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the base frame, at least two guides carried on an element and including recesses arranged in opposite directions with respect to the tube, guiding means for the element on the bending head, the guide element being guided in a horizontal translation motion on a plate securely fastened to the bending head, the guiding means being positioned adjacent a first surface of the element, and the at least two guides being arranged parallel to each other adjacent a second, opposite surface of the element. As a result of the guide support, either clockwise or counterclockwise bending can be effectuated on the same tube bending machine.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine (1) includes a bending tool (3), a pipe feed unit (9) and a mandrel retractor (19). A pipe holder (8) of the pipe feed unit (9) and a mandrel bar support (24) of the mandrel retractor (19) are guided in the longitudinal pipe direction (12) by a common linear guide system (16) on the machine base. Alternatively or in addition thereto the pipe holder (8) and the mandrel bar support (24) can be moved in the longitudinal pipe direction (12) by a common drive system (15) on the machine base.

Abstract: A concentric bore bend die and clamp insert assembly including a bend die and a clamp insert positioned within a recess formed in the bend die in a tube clamping area of the bend die. The clamp insert includes a curved portion matingly received within a correspondingly shaped curved bore in the recess, such that the curved portion extends between a tube groove in the insert and the curved bore. The curved portion of the clamp insert and the curved bore are radially concentric in order to evenly disperse clamping pressures exerted on the clamp insert in all radial directions across the curved portion of the clamp insert to the curved bore. The clamp insert further includes a non-circular portion that is matingly received within a correspondingly shaped non-circular region of the recess in order to resist rotational movement of the clamp insert with respect to the bend die.

Abstract: A bending system (1) on a bending machine for bending rod shaped and/or bar-shaped workpieces and especially pipes (4), incorporates at least one multilevel bending tool (3) with multiple bending levels arranged one above the other in the direction of a bending axis (8). For each bending level a bending die (5, 6, 7) and, associated with the corresponding bending die (5, 6, 7), at least one clamping jaw (8, 9, 10) and at least one slide rail (18, 19, 20) are provided. The clamping jaws (8, 9, 10) are effectively supported by means of a modular clamping jaw support (24), the slide rails (18, 19, 20) by means of a modular slide rail support (44) in the transverse direction of the bending axis (8) and in the transverse direction of the workpiece, respectively. Clamping jaw support units (28, 29, 30) and slide rail support units (33, 33a, 34, 34a, 35, 35a) of which the clamping jaw support (24) and, respectively, the slide rail support (44) is composed, are appropriately configured.

Abstract: A bending machine for the bending of rod-shaped and/or bar-shaped workpieces and especially of pipes incorporates a bending device (5) with bending tools (10, 11) that are provided on both sides of a tool platen (12). These bending tools (10, 11) include in each case a bending swage (13, 16) and at least one thrust member. At least one thrust member on one side of the tool platen and at least one thrust member on the other side of the tool platen (12) are drivingly coupled for joint movement in the transverse direction of the workpiece, with the movement in the transverse direction of the workpiece for shifting the thrust member(s) on one side of the tool platen (12) into its or their operating position permitting movement of the associated thrust member(s) on the other side of the tool platen (12) in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A bending assembly on a bending machine for the bending of rod and/or bar-shaped workpieces (8) includes a bending tool (10) and a bending drive unit (11) with a swivel arm (21) and a bending-drive motor (22). The bending tool (10) has at least one workpiece thrust block (12, 13), and the swivel arm (21) has at least one thrust pad (17, 18). The bending-drive motor (22) rotates the swivel arm (21) with the thrust pad (17, 18) around a bending axis (14) that extends in the transverse direction of the workpiece. The workpiece is bent when the thrust pad (17, 18) forces it against and around the associated workpiece thrust block (12, 13). The shaft of the bending drive motor (22) extends parallel to the bending axis (14), and both ends of the shaft are drive-connected to the swivel arm (21).

Abstract: A feeding mechanism of a pipe bending machine is equipped with several auxiliary hydraulic cylinders in addition to an original power source for providing power to feed a pipe; the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders are joined to an auxiliary fixing member at output rods thereof, which fixing member is displaceable along a toothed locating rod secured on the bending machine, and is equipped with an engaging device capable of releaseably engaging the toothed locating rod to fix the fixing member in position; thus, the feeding mechanism can feed a pipe with increased force output when the fixing member is made unmovable along the locating rod by the engaging device, and when the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders operate.

Abstract: A bending machine for the bending of tube, rod and bar shaped workpieces (24, 24a) includes a machine base unit (2), a collet (6) for mounting a workpiece, and a tool assembly (15) with at least one bending tool. The bending tool can be opened and closed in the transverse direction of the workpiece by the relative movement of tool components to form a workpiece holder. The tool assembly (15) is mounted on a swivel support (10) to rotate around a tool axis of rotation (16) extending axially of the workpiece, and the swivel support (10) is mounted on the machine base unit (2) to be rotatable around a swivel support axis of rotation (11) extending in the axial direction (12) of the workpiece. The swivel support axis of rotation (11) and the tool axis of rotation (16), and the tool axis of rotation (16) and the workpiece holder, are radially offset relative to one another.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a head member of a pipe bender includes a connecting block and an oil cylinder. The connecting block is fixedly connected to the head member. The oil cylinder is horizontally fitted to the main body of the pipe bender. The connecting block is equipped with a propped block on the bottom. The propped block has several spaced horizontal propped surfaces on the bottom thereof which are formed at different heights with slopes formed in between. Wheels are fitted to an outer end of the piston rod of the cylinder to prop up the propped block. Therefore, when die cylinder operates for the wheels to move relative to the propped block, the head member can be adjusted in height together with the connecting block. The piston rod stops moving when the wheels are positioned under a selected one of the horizontal propped surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing bends in tubes, including a bending die assembly having a fixed die section that is rigidly mounted to a support member and at least one a movable die section that is movable relative to the fixed section. When used to make “wrinkle” bends the die assembly includes a pair of moveable die section that are moveable relative to the fixed die section and relative to each other along a predetermined path. The movable die section or sections are supported for movement in a common plane and include camming pins engageable with slots formed in the support member, such that the engagement of the pins with the associated slots define paths of movement for the die sections. When used to make “wrinkle” bends, the fixed die section and movable die sections define wrinkle receiving recesses.

Abstract: A bracing device for a bending machine, in particular for a tube bending machine, in the form of a slide rail moved linearly in slaved fashion in the bending operation and having a plurality of slide rail extensions for different bending radii, which are mounted on the slide rail (12) via lockable and unlockable adapters.

Abstract: A machine for bending threadlike material such as tubes, rods, profiles or metal wire comprises a machine bed, having parallel guides movably supporting a carriage for feeding, rotating and angularly locating the tube, the machine bed having a T-shape, the cross member of the T-shape body being provided, at the top and bottom thereof, with parallel guides supporting a controllably driven movable carriage having a bending head provided with a fixed shaft supporting, at the two end portions thereof, bending dies with corresponding swinging bending arms, the bending head being supported by a horizontal shaft and being adapted to be controllably driven about the axis of the horizontal shaft.

Abstract: Tube bending machine including an elongate fixed frame secured at one of its ends to a bending head and to a bending arm pivoting about the bending head, a magazine device on the bending arm, the magazine device bearing pairs of clamping jaws with different impressions formed thereon, and being pivotable at the same time as the bending arm about the bending head so as to shape tubes. The magazine device is moveable both, rotationally about its own longitudinal axis and in directions lying in planes which are at least one of, perpendicular and parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the fixed frame. The magazine device includes a magazine, a jaw support sliding along the bending arm, a magazine holder secured to the jaw support, a first motor for moving the magazine vertically on the magazine holder, and a second motor for rotating the magazine about its own longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Machine for bending pipes or section bars comprising a work table on which two or more powered spindle noses appear, at least one of which is powered to rotate in a direction and at least another is idle or driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the former one; said spindle noses being accessible for mounting/demounting on/from them spindles designed to support respective bender rollers or matrices defining a work area on the work table in order to bend a pipe or a section bar according to fixed or variable radiuses: support means for a counteracting member designed to co-operate with said bender rollers or matrices in a bending operation according to fixed or variable radiuses; said support means being firmly locatable on straight guide means in said work table along an approachment/removal direction of said counteracting member to/from, said work area.

Abstract: A machine for cold bending a thick walled tube is provided which includes a rotatable bend die around which the tube is bent and a pressure die which engages an outer side wall of the tube tangential to the bend. The pressure die has a pinch-type tube groove with multiple radiuses which receives the tube and substantially prevents relative movement between the pressure die and the outer side wall of the tube. The machine also includes a pressure die boost system which linearly advances the pressure die in a forward direction as the bend die is rotated. The boost system includes a linear actuator and an electro-hydraulic control system which automatically drives the linear actuator in accordance with a pre-programmed profile of pressure and flow parameters. The linear actuator has a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a pusher coupling the piston to the pressure die, and ports in the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston.

Abstract: The pipe bending machine comprises a bending template (15) for bending the pipe therearound. The unbent pipe portion is supported on a pipe supporting rail (20) mounted on a pipe supporting rail carrier (25) and being adjustable in height. The height adjustment of the pipe supporting rail (20) is performed by a drive means (28), suited for stepless positioning, which sets the pipe supporting rail (20) to a height predetermined by the CNC control unit. Prior to the bending of the pipe, the height to which the pipe supporting rail (20) is to be moved is determined by the working program in dependance on a set of tool data which has been input into the control unit.

Abstract: A bender for bending metal rod to form surgical implants in a sterile operating room environment. The bender being made of an autoclavable material having a hardness greater than the maximum hardness of the rod to be bent. The bender includes a capstan, a primary mandrel, a gripping element, and a follower mandrel. The primary mandrel, which rotates with the capstan, includes at least one generally cylindrical portion with a guide channel formed in the periphery thereof. The follower mandrel also includes at least one generally cylindrical portion with a guide channel formed in the periphery thereof. The follower guide channels are disposed in planar alignment with the corresponding guide channel of the primary mandrel to form bending channels therebetween. The gripping member is mounted for rotation with said primary mandrel, and encloses a portion of the primary mandrel guide channel(s) to form a passageway of predetermined configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus intended for bending heavy through thin wall pipe and tubing includes a generally circular bending shoe mounted for rotation about a first axis and having a plurality of semi-circular concave grooves in its outer surface. The grooves are of differing sizes and located in side-by-side axial spaced planes perpendicular to the first axis. A separate pair of bending rollers is provided for cooperation with each separate concave groove. Each pair of rollers includes a first roller and a second roller having concave exterior grooves and mounted on a bracket for independent rotary movement about separate second and third axes. A support arm is joined to the bracket for permitting tilting movement of the bracket relative to the support arm about a fourth axis parallel to the second and third axes.

Abstract: The pipe-bending machine comprises two bending heads (11,12) being configured so as to be mirror-inverted with respect to each other and projecting in cantilever-like manner from a machine frame (10). A cross slide (26) supporting the pipe holding device (25) is displaceable on the machine frame (10). The first bending of the pipe (17) is performed in a first bending head (12). Then, the pipe holding device (29) is displaced to the second bending head (11) where the second bending operation is performed. Thus, several bending operations can be effected successively without there being a need to reclamp the pipe.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed, which comprises:a plurality of tubes each having a U-shaped portion and arranged in a plurality of parallel bending planes, each bending plane containing a plurality of tubes of the same nominal outer diameter and of differing bending radius, the variation of the outer diameter of the tubes in at least one of the bending planes measured in a direction perpendicular to the bending planes being at most 0.1 mm; andan antivibration bar disposed between two of the bending planes.

Abstract: A device for generating curved pipe portions (38, 40) bent alternately in opposite senses in a continuously supplied linear pipe (18), particularly for generating a pipe coil, comprises a machine table provided with two bending rolls (12, 13) having rotational axes (15, 16) extending at a fixed mutual distance and parallel to each other. The bending rolls (12, 13) have their peripheries formed with grooves for receiving the pipe (18) which are adapted to the cross-section of the pipe (18). Further, the device is provided with a bending drive. One bending roll has a rotational axis fixed in position relative to the machine table whereas the other bending roll is pivotable by said bending drive about the bending roll having the fixed rotationai axis, thereby bending a curved pipe portion (38, 40) of the pipe (18).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing smooth, continuous arcuate contour bends in tubes used, for example, in the manufacture of fuel manifolds for gas turbine engines. A flexible die cavity circumscribing an arbor member with an integral adjustment feature are utilized to provide means for modifying the radius of curvature of the forming die cavity to compensate for variable tube spring back characteristics. A first embodiment provides for infinite adjustment of radius of curvature within range limits, while an alternate embodiment provides for incremental adjustment. Means are also provided to lock the adjustment feature once the desired radius of curvature has been achieved.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bending serpentine heat exchanger tubes using a split bend die having a relatively short upper die section with a straight back end. After the tube is bent in conventional manner using a clamp die and a pressure die, the bend die is split along a shaft and rotated through a predetermined angle to position the straight back end substantially parallel to a straight segment of the tube at the output of the bend die. The input segment of the tube is then moved next to the shaft in preparation for rotating above the input segment to raise the output segment above the upper section of the bend die. Such lateral motion reduces the segment spacing required for clearance of the upper section. Other features for reducing the spacing are providing an indentation on the shaft, angling the back end with respect to the sides to provide a minimum length, and truncation an upper portion along the back end.

Abstract: Improvements in pipe bending machines, constructed in a general frame with a die holder shaft that has on its perimeter a flat face and several concave faces angularly out of phase, which produces the bending of pipes, in conjunction with a top die with a displacement guided by means of a motorized device, carrying means for locking in working position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bending metal tubes such as for furnace heat exchangers. After the bend die is rotated 180.degree. to make a bend, an upper section of the bend die is split from a lower section, and the upper section is then rotated approximately 90.degree.. In such manner, a portion of the upper section is displaced laterally to vacate a region directly above the lower section. Therefore, in moving the tube forwardly to a new location for a subsequent bend operation, a portion of a previous bend passes through the vacated region thereby enabling sequential bend angles that are less restricted than without rotating the upper section of the split die.

Abstract: Tube bending apparatus comprising a lower support carrying a mandrel having a bending groove providing a bend axis, and an upper support mounted on the lower support for rotation about the bend axis and carrying a forming member for urging a tube between the mandrel and forming member into the bending groove on rotation of the upper support relative to the lower support. The upper support is adapted to be rotated relative to the lower support through a drive shaft arrangement extending downwardly from the lower support and coupled with a drive unit having an output coupling coaxial with the drive shaft and transverse to the axis of the drive motor of the drive unit. A stand supports the bending apparatus and drive unit relative to an underlying support surface during operation of the bending apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-function pipe bending machine (1) comprising a base structure (2), a first slide (8) slidably engaged to the base structure (2) along a first traverse direction, a second slide (11) slidably engaged to the first slide (8) along a second traverse direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first and a second bending die (14a, 14b), at least one unit (15a, 15b) for positioning and locking a pipe (6) to be bent, and a bending arm (18) active on the pipe (6) against the action of the bending dies (14a, 14b).

Abstract: Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention comprises a roller assembly for use with a bending apparatus for bending conduit and the like. The bending apparatus includes a frame, a bending shoe associated with the frame and a drive device for controllably driving the bending shoe. The roller assembly provides a roller which pivotably adjusts to an outside surface of the workpiece to accommodate variations in the workpiece while it is being bent during a rolling operation. The roller assembly includes a shaft attached and supported by the frame, two pivot segments and two roller dies. The pivot segments are positioned along and spaced apart on the shaft and each has an arcuate surface in a facing orientation with the other pivot segment. The roller dies have facing ends and base ends and a pivot socket formed in the base end. The pivot socket is sized and dimensioned for cooperatively mating with the arcuate surface of the pivot segment.

Abstract: A bending die for forming a 180.degree. bend in a tube includes a center die and a shiftable block pivotally mounted to the center die grooves are defined on opposing sides of the center die and shiftable block for supporting the tube while being bent. The grooves have a C-shaped cross section for receiving and holding the tube during the bending process, but which grooves create an interference condition trapping the bent tube in a plane defined by the grooves. The shiftable block is pivotally connected to the center die and movable between a bend-forming position where the shiftable block forms an upper part of the groove along the one opposing side and part of the end, and a tube-release position where the shiftable block is removed from the one opposing side. The bending die also includes a clamp die that both clamps the tube to the center die and also holds the shiftable block to the center die while the tube is being bent, but which is movable to release the shiftable block.

Abstract: A pipe bending die, in the shape of a cylinder, has a groove gouged out of its lateral surface and a cross section which is a semi-circle of a diameter equal to the diameter of the pipe to be bent. The base of the cylinder is bounded on one hand by a portion of logarithmic spiral defined in polar coordinates by the equation P=Poe-k.theta., bounded by the points .theta.=0 and .theta.=2.pi., and wherein Po and k are positive constants and, on the other hand, by a segment of straight line joining the points of the spiral for which .theta.=0 and .theta.=2.pi..

Abstract: An improved variable geometry tooling die is disclosed employing die segments 12 for use in die-press bending of materials. A forming die 10 is constructed of a plurality of segmented portions 12 which are radially adjustable for bends of different radii. Interchangeable inserts 20 in the segmented dies 12 allows for bending materials with various outside diameters and shapes.

Abstract: A hand-held bending tool for conduits, tubes, rods, and the like is provided. The bending tool includes a bending matrix and a sliding shoe that during a bending process are movable relative to one another and each have a groove-like recess in which the tube that is to be bent is disposed. The recess of the bending matrix extends in a curved manner in conformity with the tube bending radius that is to be produced. The tool includes at least one support for the tube. The tube is embodied as an electric tool having a motor that rotatably drives the bending matrix via a reduction gear arrangement, with the flux of force during a bending process being self-contained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bending machine adapted to bend a pipe and other such workpiece in three-dimensional directions. The bending machine comprises a first actuator for vertically moving bend dies to select one of the bend dies for use, and a second actuator for horizontally moving the bend dies. The second actuator comprises a servomotor.