Tubing bending... in a strange shape

[Kenny T Cornett]

Has anyone come across parabolic bending of tubing?

I searched on Eng-Tips and got nothing. I'm just unsure if you could even do it... maybe an NC roller bender? Change the depth as it went around?

Any insight?

[Kenny T Cornett]

Has anyone come across parabolic bending of tubing?

I searched on Eng-Tips and got nothing. I'm just unsure if you could even do it... maybe an NC roller bender? Change the depth as it went around?

Any insight?

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Hi Kenny,

When you mean parabolic bending are you refering to the bend 'radius'? i.e. non constant radius bending? OR cross section shape?

There is a group that makes NA headers called Serpent Headers, although this is only applied to non constant cross sectional bending, and from what i can remember they use hydroforming techniques.

http://www.micron-exhaust.com/store/prodserpent.htm

[Kenny T Cornett]

Thanks for the question on clarification...


I was actually meaning non-constant bend radius (hence the roller bender idea).

Think, F-1 engine cover cross-section

[Brian Evans]

I bend tubes with non-constant bend radii all the time, when I make roll bars, headers, etc. I use traditional sand-bending techniques. It's harder, slower, and a lot more expensive than just tossing the tube in a cold bender, but for some applications I think it's a great way to go. It really only works with mild steel for me.

Brian

[Dave_Dal]

There is a relatively new bending process called interpolation bending. It can make some pretty sick bends. This place talks about it:

http://www.webendtube.com/bend3.htm

The machines tend to be multi-axis NC bending machines. Do a search for "interpolation bending" in your favourite search engine and you should be able to find lots of information.