Method and apparatus for manufacturing a bent member

摘要

A bending apparatus has (a) a first manipulator which feeds a hollow metal blank of closed cross section in its lengthwise direction, (b) a second manipulator which supports a first support means disposed at a first position and a metal blank while feeding it, a heating means disposed at a second position downstream of the first position in the blank feed direction for heating all or part of the circumference of the blank, and a cooling means disposed at a third position downstream of the second position for cooling a portion of the heated blank, and (c) a third manipulator which constitutes a second support means disposed at a fourth position downstream of the third position in the feed direction of the blank and which moves two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting at least one location of the metal blank to bend the metal blank into a desired shape.

主权项

1. A manufacturing method for a bent member characterized by carrying out bending of a hollow metal blank having a closed cross section with satisfying the following conditions 1-6:
Condition 1: a first manipulator grips a first portion of the metal blank located on the side of a first end thereof in a fixed manner; Condition 2: a second manipulator supports a high-temperature area forming mechanism which heats a region of the metal blank which is located between the first portion and a second portion located on the side of a second end of the metal blank and then performs cooling, thereby forming a high-temperature area in a portion of the region; Condition 3: a third manipulator grips the second portion of the metal blank; Condition 4: the first manipulator while fixed to the first portion moves two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally such that a bending moment can be imparted to the high-temperature area; Condition 5: the third manipulator intermittently moves in the axial direction of the second portion of the metal blank or moves two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally such that a bending moment can be imparted to the high-temperature area; and Condition 6: relative movement of the high-temperature area forming mechanism with respect to the metal blank in its axial direction is produced.