METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A BENT MEMBER

摘要

Provided is a bending apparatus which can solve the problems of the prior art which carries out two-dimensional or three-dimensional bending of a long metal blank having a closed cross section. A bending apparatus has (a) a first manipulator which constitutes a feed means which feeds a hollow metal blank having a closed cross section in its lengthwise direction, (b) a second manipulator which supports a first support means which is disposed at a first position and supports a metal blank while feeding it, a heating means which is disposed at a second position downstream of the first position in the feed direction of the metal blank and which heats all or part of the circumference of the metal blank being fed, and a cooling means which is disposed at a third position downstream of the second position in the feed direction of the metal blank and which cools the portion of the metal blank being fed which was heated by the heating means, and (c) a third manipulator which constitutes a second support means which is disposed at a fourth position downstream of the third position in the feed direction of the metal blank and which imparts a bending moment to the heated portion of the metal blank by moving two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting at least one location of the metal blank being fed to bend the metal blank into a desired shape.