Tools for Bending, Inc.

Ronald R Stange

Gary E Demartelaere

Samuel B McGuire

Dennis J Ekren

Thomas W Woodring

Larry D Campbell

Gary E De Martelaere

Quick change tooling method and apparatus

There is provided a device and manner for bulge forming and bending a tube or hollow extrusion, such as a pipe or conduit. The one portion of the length of the tube is bulge-formed to define a radially expanded, contoured section of the tube, while another portion of the tube length is bent to define an angle or curve in the tube. The device employs a radially expandable mandrel which serves both as the expandable member for bulge-forming the tube, as well as a bending mandrel to stabilize the tube against wrinkling or collapse during bending.

Method and apparatus for bulge forming and bending tubes

A pipe wall thickness measuring template has a tapered slot with indicia along opposite edges of the slot and a tapered finger portion, the slot being calibrated to indicate the wall thickness at the point where the pipe wall reaches its maximum penetration into the slot.

Pipe wall thickness measuring template

Tube bending apparatus in which a tube is clamped between a U-shaped bend die and a cooperating pressure die, the pressure die being advanced in a linear direction as the bend die is rotated, a tube groove in each of the dies embracing diametrically opposite sides of the tube. The tube groove on the bend die is of generally U-shaped configuration having a semi-circular bend section and opposite sides extending in tangential directions to define tangential grooves along opposite sides of the bend die, the cross-sectional radii of curvature of the tube groove along the bend section and tangential sections are closely controlled to impart some temporary distortion to the tube which will resist wrinkling or collapse. Similarly, the tube groove on the pressure die has cross-sectional radii of curvature corresponding to those of the bend section of the bend die in order to cooperate with the bend die. In carrying out the method of the present invention, the tube to be bent is clamped between the pressure die and bend die so that it is forced to assume the configuration of the tube grooves on the pressure die and the bend section of the bend die as the bend die is rotated and the pressure die is advanced while maintaining a constant pressure on the tube. Preferably, the pressure die is advanced at variable pressure rates as the tube is bent around the bend section of the bend die so that the pressure die will impart a force tending to minimize the reduction of the outer wall of the tube as the inner wall of the tube is compressed.

Method and apparatus for bending tubing

A tube bending apparatus made up of a drive motor, bend head and saw together with associated clamping units are mounted on a common work surface, the apparatus being programmed to form rectangular window frames by coordinating the speed of advancement, distance of travel between bends as well as the sequence of bending and cutting with operator input data relating to quantity and frame dimension. The machine can be operated either in a manual or automatic mode, and in the automatic mode is operable at different selected speeds, according to the length of sides of the frame, with a reduced speed interval at the end of each period of advancement preliminary to braking and clamping of the workpiece to perform either a bending or cutting operation.

Program-controlled frame bending method and apparatus

The present invention pertains to the treatment of a metal surface with a durable low-friction material in such a way as to greatly enhance the lubricant properties of the metal surfaces. The surface coating formed is a chromium plated surface containing microcracks so prepared as to permit injection or insertion of perfluorocarbon compositions such as polytetrafluoroethylene in a fused or nearly-fused state. In the method of forming the surface coating as described, the surface is plated by electrodeposition in a chromic acid bath followed by baking to oxidize the external plated surface. In this way, the surface may then be reverse etched to expand the microcracks without affecting the external surface, following which the plated surface may be heated to, or in excess of, the fusion point of the polytetrafluoroethylene material which is inserted preferably by application to the surface from a solid rod.

Surface treatment with durable low-friction material

A method and apparatus for successively bending and straightening a bolt shank and the like for insertion into a bolt hole is characterized by a readily transportable compact device having inner and outer spaced cooperating rollers engageable with diametrically opposed surfaces of the shank so that when the cooperating rollers are simultaneously rotated along a predetermined bending path the shank will be bent through a corresponding curvature and in a direction aligned with a bolt hole into which the shank is to be inserted. A straightener roll is disposed in the path of the shank as it becomes aligned with the bolt hole to straighten the shank prior to advancement into the hole. In the method of successively bending and straightening a bolt shank in accordance with the present invention, the shank is positioned at a substantial angle of 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the bolt hole, the leading end of the shank is bent in a direction towards the entrance of the hole until it becomes axially aligned with the hole, and the shank is progressively bent along its length in a direction towards the hole followed by progressively straightening of the shank as it advances into axial alignment with the hole while continuously feeding the entire length of the shank into the bolt hole.

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Littleton, CO, United States of America

Ronald R Stange