Method for bending tubes using split die

摘要

Method and apparatus for bending metal tubes such as for furnace heat exchangers. After the bend die is rotated 180 degrees to make a bend, an upper section of the bend die is split from a lower section, and the upper section is then rotated approximately 90 degrees. In such manner, a portion of the upper section is displaced laterally to vacate a region directly above the lower section. Therefore, in moving the tube forwardly to a new location for a subsequent bend operation, a portion of a previous bend passes through the vacated region thereby enabling sequential bend angles that are less restricted than without rotating the upper section of the split die.