TPT September 2008

T ube B ending & E ndforming T echnology

Bending in three dimensional radii

The machine has been developed in close cooperation with a German car manufacturer. Automotive manufacturing applications, where pipes can be used as design features and line elements, demand ever-smaller building areas, ever-closer radii, and ever-thinner material (for weight reasons). Thin-walled pipes up to a diameter of 90mm can be bent with high precision on the Nissin Freeformbender. The smallest achievable radius is close to 2DR. The machine can bend not only round pipes, but also flat oval tubes and profiles, extending its range of applications. Functions of the machine’s software include preview, mirroring and rotation. An optional measuring arm is also available. Bent parts can be compared and corrected automatically. Programs can be easily stored and saved, and the Windows- based PC can be connected to LAN. J Neu GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 6359 924257 Tube manipulation technology and equipment Silkmead Tubular Ltd, UK, is the provider of tube manipulation plants and equipment, together with an advanced tubular components service. The company’s tube bending machines operate without hydraulics, and only require limited pneumatics. On one model offered by the company, no electrics are needed at all. Within the range up to 30mm diameter, the machines provide equivalent multi axis precision results for medium batch work of up to 200 components per hour. Silkmead’s machines are of simple modular construction and limited power, which means that users can carry out their own repairs and maintenance, offering additional cost saving. The equipment is used for component development in a number of industries including defence, car racing and other general engineering companies. Email : info@neu-gmbh.de Website : www.neu-gmbh.de

The Nissin Freeformbender, produced by Neu Machinery, Germany, makes it possible to bend tubes and profiles with different radii in three dimensions, without tool change. The machine uses patented tooling in combination with a CNC-control system. Radii can follow each other without a straight length in-between, and can be in different planes. Compared with

conventional mandrel bending, a reduction of cycle times can be obtained, since every forward movement of the feeder bar moves the workpiece on. The machine’s bending principle makes it well suited to any consequent hydroforming process. The wall thickness remains almost untouched in the bending range, and bent tubes with homogeneous wall thickness can be achieved.

Silkmead Tubular Ltd Fax : +44 1582 609930 Email : alexb@silkmead.co.uk Website : www.silkmead.co.uk

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S eptember 2008

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