Apparatus and method of manufacturing a split link for use in a flexible tube-bending mandrel

摘要

A split link (800C) includes a first half link (801), a second half link (803) and a threaded aperture (805) formed in both the first half link (801) and second half link (803) for use in joining the first half link and second half link with a fastening device (807) to form a split link assembly. The split link assembly is machined to include a head portion (811), shoulder portion (813), barrel portion (815) and base portion (817) for use in providing a highly flexible tube bending mandrel.

主权项

1. A split link for use in a tube bending mandrel having a head portion, shoulder portion, barrel portion and base portion comprising:
a first half link; a second half link; a threaded hole formed in the head portion and angularly pitched toward the base portion of both the first half link and second half link for use in joining the first half link and second half link along a line of division separating the first half link and second half link with a threaded set screw that extends into each half of an inner surface defined by a flat, two-dimensional longitudinally split surface for holding the first half link and second half link into a fixed position relative to one another; and wherein the entire longitudinally split surface of the first half link and second half link is substantially flat and has no key or keyway formed therein, and the threaded hole is positioned directly adjacent to and offset at approximately five degrees to a line of division separating the first half link and second half link for precluding movement of the first half link and second half link relative to one another during machining without the use of a retaining ring.