Help me find an appropiate bending machine and process

[Neubaten]

Hello guys!!

I'm currently developing a process for the manufacture of stabilizer bars, and bendig the bar is a key process we're currently examining.

Here's the kind of bending I'm talking about:

http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bar1ew1.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bar2cc3.jpg

As you see, the part has complicated bends in different planes, specially in the inner zones. The outer diameter is 23.6 mm, and the wall thickness 3.5 mm. The material is normalized 34MnB5 steel.

We now make our prototypes using a mix of crush bendig (for the inner curves) and press bending, for the outer curves, or the "horns", as we call it.


The problem is that this process is slow and requires transportation between phases, thus not suitable for large production loads.

Your suggestions are welcome, as in our company we don't have any prior experience with tube bending technologies.

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Get the Tube & Pipe Journal:

http://www.fma-communications.com/TPJ/TPJ.cfm

... tube benders aplenty, new and used.

Speaking of used, talk to your local used machinery dealers.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[jyfg]

Your parts look like they might be suitable for a twin-head compression bender. Should be a pretty rapid process

 

[abgp]

Hi, I don't think a twin head compression bender is the right solution for 2 reasons.
1- the part is not symetrical so you will not get benefit of speed
2 - distance between some of the straights is too short

Looks like you need a multistack 30mm machine with compound tooling to me eg.

http://www.unisonltd.com/30mm pictures.htm

Cylcle time is going to be issue - probably floor to floor time of probably 1 1/2 mins.

Regards
Alan