The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2011
Shinjiro Kuwayama, Osaka, JP;
Atsushi Tomizawa, Minou, JP;
Saburo Inoue, Tama, JP;
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Sumitomo Pipe & Tube Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, JP;
Abstract
A bending apparatus for manufacturing a bent member from a steel pipe with high dimensional accuracy and high productivity can be installed in a small space with good maintainability. The apparatus has a feed mechanism for feeding a steel pipe in its lengthwise direction, a first support mechanism for supporting the steel pipe while feeding it, a heating mechanism for heating a part or all of the steel pipe being fed, a cooling mechanism for cooling the portion of the heated steel pipe being fed, a second support mechanism for imparting a bending moment to the heated portion of the steel pipe to bend the steel pipe into a desired shape by moving two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting the fed steel pipe in at least one location, and a deformation preventing mechanism for preventing deformation of the steel pipe. The feed mechanism is a vertically articulated robot having seven axes.