TPT July 2013

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Bending, end forming and swaging
82 July 2013
Bending of variable radius pipes
ONE of the major challenges for pipe
bending is pipeswith a variable radius and
rotation during the bending sequence.
Not only do the rollers themselves
need to be positioned with the utmost
precision, but the calculations of each
position at every moment of the bending
process are complex and involved.
In order to facilitate the bending
of such complex geometries,
3R software solution developed
RONIFreeformManager, which both
calculates the CNC-data for bending
and checks the bending process for
collision.
The software can be used on both
left- and right-bending machines with
one or more bending levels. It also
supports combination machines, which
can perform both freeform roller bending
and traditional rotary draw- or push-
bending.
RONIFreeformManager imports
the pipe data from CAD-files to create
a model of the pipe geometry and
also provides facilities to modify the
geometry manually. Combined with 3D
models of the machine and the tooling,
the software graphically simulates
the bending process, detecting
collisions with potential interference
points in the machine’s environment.
Just like 3R’s RONIKolli7 software,
RONIFreeformManager then attempts
to find an alternative bending sequence
that avoids these collisions. If a feasible
sequence is found the CNC files are
generated and sent to the machine.
After bending, the pipe’s measured
result can be compared to the desired
pipe through a comparison report.
Another feature of the
RONIFreeformManager is that it
corrects the bending data by using a
smooth interpolation method, which
means that the corrections for material
factors are precise, even if only very few
test measurements are taken for the
according material. In fact, the software
can be interfaced with measuring
software to correct the bending values
for subsequent pipes based on a
comparison of the target geometry with
the actual geometry after bending. This
allows for faster calculation of the correct
CNC-data and less need for test bends.
The software is intended to be
efficient and versatile while still
remaining intuitive and easy to operate.
This means that an operator does not
require intensive training over multiple
weeks in order to learn how to use the
software.
3R software solution – Germany
Website:
Further growth for Omni-x
THE family owned business Omni-x has
grown from a three-man operation into
a large manufacturer of tube bending
tools, with manufacturing locations
in Colorado, the Czech Republic and
Mexico. In addition it is in the initial
stages of establishing manufacturing
locations in the expanding markets
of India and China, with a target start
up date of 2015. With its current three
locations it is able to provide localised
service and products on a global scale.
Since 1987 the company has
specialised in thedesignandmanufacture
of consumable mandrels and wiper dies,
as well as simple and complex multi-
stack compound bending dies. Serving
all industries, including automotive,
aerospace, HVAC, shipyard, furniture
and others, it provides solutions to any
bending challenge for any size or shape
tube/pipe and for any make/model tube
bender. In addition to its time tested and
innovative designs the company assists
with process development, vendor
managed inventory and consulting. The
company continuously strives to improve
its processes, customer service and
overall value to the customer so that it
exceeds their expectations.
Omni-x has announced that it has
increased its CNC lathe and milling
capabilities with the acquisition of four
new machines in the Czech Republic
facility based in Brno. This will ensure
it can continue to deliver the first class
service its customers have come to
expect.
Omni-x – Czech Republic
Email:
Website: