GB2318753A - Bending of elongate elements - Google Patents
Bending of elongate elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2318753A GB2318753A GB9718708A GB9718708A GB2318753A GB 2318753 A GB2318753 A GB 2318753A GB 9718708 A GB9718708 A GB 9718708A GB 9718708 A GB9718708 A GB 9718708A GB 2318753 A GB2318753 A GB 2318753A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- slit
- cross
- elongate
- bend
- slits
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C3/06—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal with substantially solid, i.e. unapertured, web
- E04C3/07—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal with substantially solid, i.e. unapertured, web at least partly of bent or otherwise deformed strip- or sheet-like material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D11/00—Bending not restricted to forms of material mentioned in only one of groups B21D5/00, B21D7/00, B21D9/00; Bending not provided for in groups B21D5/00 - B21D9/00; Twisting
- B21D11/18—Joggling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C2003/0404—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects
- E04C2003/0408—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by assembly or the cross-section
- E04C2003/0421—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by assembly or the cross-section comprising one single unitary part
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C2003/0404—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects
- E04C2003/0426—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by material distribution in cross section
- E04C2003/043—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by material distribution in cross section the hollow cross-section comprising at least one enclosed cavity
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C2003/0404—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects
- E04C2003/0443—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by substantial shape of the cross-section
- E04C2003/0465—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by substantial shape of the cross-section square- or rectangular-shaped
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
Abstract
An "H" shaped slit is cut in the top and bottom walls of a straight square section tube and a side force applied so that a bend can be introduced. The slit is elongate and has end portions shaped to encourage the bending. After the bend has been introduced the gaps are filled.
Description
BENDING OF EWNGATE ELEKENTS The invention relates to the bending of a longitudinal portion of an elongate
element, in particular of an element which is hollow and has a rigid wall. One
specific use of the invention is the introduction of an inclined length at a point
along an elongate metal element of generally box like cross-sectional shape.
It is one object of the invention to introduce a bend into such an element in a quick and low cost and accurate way.
According to the invention in one aspect there is provided a method of introducing a bend portion into a straight elongate hollow member, the method comprising the steps of:
1) cutting (i) an elongate slit in opposite side wall portions of the
member, the slit extending substantially in the major axis of the
member, and (ii) a cross-slit in the region of the bend point, the
cross-slit extending between the wall portions and extending to
overlie the wall portions,
2) removing a portion of metal between the cross-slit and the elongate
slit to allow movement of the walls of the elongate slit, and
3) applying a force to one side of the element and forward of the region
of the cross-slit to introduce the bend.
While the invention may be applied to a hollow member of any cross-sectional shape having two generally parallel faces, it is particularly useful to apply the invention to a member of box-section.
The method may be used to introduce one or more bends at different points along the length of the member.
According to a more specific aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a bend portion in an elongate straight element of hollow box section, the section having a floor and roof and opposite sidewalls, the method comprising: (i) forming aligned slits in the top and bottom walls of the section, the slits comprising a major slit extending generally in or parallel to the major axis between the intended ends of the bend portion and a cross-slit at each end of the longitudinal slit, the cross-slits extending between the side walls and being inclined to the longitudinal axis and having at each end a portion which overlies the respective side wall, a generally triangular cut out being present at one end of each cross-slit, the triangular portions being on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit and (ii) applying a force to one side of the portion to be bent to cause the portions on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit to slide with respect to each other.
Preferably the slits, particularly the cross-slits, are provided with radiussed ends, i.e. where they overlie their respective sidewalls. By this means one avoids sharp corners that could otherwise act as stress raisers or points of crack initiation, which could propagate during fatigue loading. Co-operating mandrels may be introduced during the bending operation so that the radius of curvature is carefully controlled, again reducing the likelihood of failure due to cracking.
In the method of the invention when the lateral force is applied to the precursor of the bend portion, one side of the element being held in a chuck or the like, the opposite sides of the longitudinal slit move in sliding fashion past one another generally diagonally across the element so that a triangular portion on one side is closed and another is opened up on the diagonally opposite side. At the end of the operation, the gaps between the opposite walls of the slits and the triangular portion may be filled in and the whole then smoothened, e.g. polished. The final seam may, if desired, be sealed by laser, MIG, TIG or friction stir welding or adhesive bonding.
The method of the invention requires the use of relatively low forces to achieve the desired bending enabling relatively low strength, and hence low cost, tooling to be used. The provision of an accurate cutting path enables the work-piece used to be self-jigging and the same tools may be used for different profiles, again affording significant cost savings.
In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of one box section tube before bending;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines lt-II on Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the bending jig;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the tube after bending;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of another box section tube showing the slit arrangement before bending;
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5 showing the use of mandrels during the bending; and
Figure 7 is a similar view to Figures 5 and 6 showing the end of the bending operation.
An elongate element E is a one piece extrusion made up of a floor 1, a roof 2, and opposite side walls 3, 4 to define a hollow box section. The extrusion is made of metal or alloy, e.g. steel or aluminium, or plastics or composite or the like. The sides of the extrusion are straight and parallel.
In the method of the invention to introduce a lazy bend in the length of the extrusion a generally H shaped slit is cut in the floor 1 and the roof 2. The slits are vertically aligned and each comprises a long slit H1 generally in the major axis of the extrusion. At each end slits H2 are cut, inclined to the major axis, having at each end a circular cut out H3 overlying the thickness of the sidewalls 3, 4. The sidewall of one length of the slit is cut away to form a generally triangular portion H4, one on each side of the long slit H1. The other portion of the end slit H2 has parallel sidewalls H5, H6 spaced slightly apart. The slits may be cut in any convenient way, including by machine slitter or by laser cutting and with or without plasma enhancement.
The length is mounted in between parallel side walls of a chuck 11 of a jig 10 (Figure 3) with the portion having the slit H extending beyond the chuck. A
clamp 12 is mounted with one jaw 13 in engagement with one side of the element beyond the slit H and another 14 in engagement with a wall 15 laterally spaced from the chuck 11. The clamp is then tightened to apply a force F to move the extrusion towards the wall 15. The slit portion bends and the opposite faces of the long slit H1 slide to reach the condition shown in Figure 4. It will be noted that the left hand triangular portion H4 has closed up, moving the sidewalls H5,
H6 apart to form a corresponding triangular portion H7 and the same effect has happened at the other end of the slit H1. The length between the slits H2 has been bent as required without any cracking of the metal or distortion of the box section. The holes may be filled in and the whole rubbed down to leave little or no tell tale marks of how the bend was introduced into the element. Holes may be drilled in the sidewalls 3, 4 and cross-members, e.g. bolts, introduced for the element to be mounted, e.g. as a frame member of a car chassis.
In the embodiment shown the inclined portion is introduced intermediate the ends of an elongate element, so forming two bends A and B (Figure 4). In the method of the invention one bend only may be introduced, e.g. towards the end of an element.
In Figures 5 to 7 is shown the use of mandrels and the cross-slits have radiussed ends, the mandrels tending to control the radius of curvature achieved during bending. Like parts are given like reference numbers as in Figures 1 to 4.
Extrusion E has a longitudinal slit H1 in its wall 2 ending in a cross-slit H2 extending between the walls 3 and 4 at an angle to the longitudinal axis. The cross-slit H2 is radiussed at its ends H3. The sidewall at one half of slit H2 is cutaway similar to that of Figure 1 to leave a cut-out region H4 whereas the other half of the slit H2 has closely spaced parallel sidewall portions Hs, H6, again similar to
Figure 1.
A similar arrangement of slits is cut into the opposite wall (not shown) of the extrusion, i.e. equivalent to wall 1 in Figure 1.
In Figure 6 a mandrel 20 is positioned against the exterior of wall 4 opposite to slot H2 at the desired position of the bend. A corresponding mandrel 21 is positioned inside the radiussed end H3 of slot H2 to bear on the inside of wall 3. A bending force in the direction of arrow F has been applied and this Figure shows bending partially completed. Cut-out portion H4 has partially closed and sidewalls H5 and H6 have moved apart.
Figure 7 shows the completed bending operation. Cut-out portion H4 has closed as its opposed walls have come together. A corresponding portion H7 has opened between sidewalls H5 and H6. The edges of slit H1 have closed together. The mandrels have controlled the bending operation to the desired pre-determined radius and, in conjunction with the radiussed slits, have minimised any risk of stress or crack failure.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, the force to bend the extrusion may be any suitable apparatus and not just the G clamp shown.
Claims (12)
1. A method of introducing a bend portion into a straight elongate hollow
member, the method comprising the steps of:
1) cutting (i) an elongate slit in opposite side wall portions of the
member, the slit extending substantially in the major axis of the
member, and (ii) a cross-slit in the region of the intended bend point,
the cross-slit extending between the wall portions and extending to
overlie the wall portions, and
2) removing a portion of metal between the cross-slit and the elongate
slit to allow movement of the walls of the elongate slit, and
3) applying a force to one side of the element and forward of the region
of the cross-slit to introduce the bend.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the hollow member is of box
section.
3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a cross-slit is formed at each
end of the elongate slit and in communication with the elongate slit.
4. A method of forming a bend portion in an elongate straight member of
hollow box section having a floor and roof and opposite sidewalls, the
method comprising: (i) forming aligned slits in the top and bottom walls of
the section, the slits comprising a major slit extending generally in or
parallel to the major axis between the intended ends of the bend portion
and a cross-slit at each end of the longitudinal slit, the cfoss-slits extending between the side walls and being inclined to the longitudinal axis
and having at each end a portion which overlies the respective side wall, a
generally triangular cut out being present at one end of each cross-slit, the
triangular portions being on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit and (ii)
applying a force to one side of the portion to be bent to cause the portions
on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit to slide with respect to each other.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the ends of the cross
slits are radiussed.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, in which a pair of mandrels is
used to assist the bending operation, one mandrel lying inside one end of a
cross-slit and bearing against the inside of a wall of the member and the
other mandrel bearing against the outside of the opposite wall of the
member adjacent the other end of the cross-slit.
7. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the elongate slit
extends longitudinally of the member at an angle to the major axis thereof.
8. A method according to any preceding Claim, which is used to form a
plurality of bends along the length of the member.
9. A method according to any preceding Claim, including the steps of filling in
the gaps formed by the bending operation and then smoothing the surface
whereby tell tale marks are avoided.
10. A method according to any preceding Claim, in which any gaps in the bent
product are sealed by laser, MIG, TIG, friction stir welding or adhesive
bonding.
11. A method of forming a bend portion into an elongate member substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the
accompanying drawings.
12. An elongate member with a bend portion formed by the method of any
preceding Claim.
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB1997/002800 WO1998018580A1 (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-10-27 | Bending of elongate elements |
| EP97909413A EP0876229B8 (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-10-27 | Bending of elongate elements |
| DE69712465T DE69712465D1 (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-10-27 | BEND ELONGITAL ELEMENTS |
| AU47104/97A AU4710497A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-10-27 | Bending of elongate elements |
| NO19982914A NO312657B1 (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1998-06-22 | Method of inserting a bent portion into a straight, elongated hollow member as well as an element performed according to the method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9622234A GB2318754A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1996-10-25 | Bending of elongate elements |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9718708D0 GB9718708D0 (en) | 1997-11-12 |
| GB2318753A true GB2318753A (en) | 1998-05-06 |
Family
ID=10801944
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9622234A Withdrawn GB2318754A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1996-10-25 | Bending of elongate elements |
| GB9718708A Withdrawn GB2318753A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-09-03 | Bending of elongate elements |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9622234A Withdrawn GB2318754A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1996-10-25 | Bending of elongate elements |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB2318754A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2320215B (en) * | 1996-12-12 | 1999-08-18 | Dana Corp | Method of manufacturing a hollow vehicle frame component having a sharp bend |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4974436A (en) * | 1989-02-24 | 1990-12-04 | Sanko Industries Limited | Cutting tool to facilitate bending of hollow tubing |
| US5018263A (en) * | 1989-10-02 | 1991-05-28 | Stern Melvin J | Method for making a metal screen door frame |
-
1996
- 1996-10-25 GB GB9622234A patent/GB2318754A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1997
- 1997-09-03 GB GB9718708A patent/GB2318753A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4974436A (en) * | 1989-02-24 | 1990-12-04 | Sanko Industries Limited | Cutting tool to facilitate bending of hollow tubing |
| US5018263A (en) * | 1989-10-02 | 1991-05-28 | Stern Melvin J | Method for making a metal screen door frame |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2320215B (en) * | 1996-12-12 | 1999-08-18 | Dana Corp | Method of manufacturing a hollow vehicle frame component having a sharp bend |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9718708D0 (en) | 1997-11-12 |
| GB2318754A (en) | 1998-05-06 |
| GB9622234D0 (en) | 1996-12-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |