Arcuate structural element

摘要

The invention describes an arcuate structural element (1) and a process and an apparatus for producing the same. The structural element (1) comprises a pre-bent metal insert (2) and portions (3, 4) of a plastic sheathing which have been pushed thereon. The metal insert (2) has a length corresponding to the length of the structural element (1), but each portion (3, 4) has, in contrast, a shorter length. Consequently, the mutually facing end surfaces of the portions (3, 4) would normally be separated by a wedge gap, even in the case of mutual abutment. In order, however, to obtain an extremely fine joint (12), once the portions (3, 4) have been pushed onto the metal insert (2), first of all said end surfaces are subjected to machining, in order to convert them into mutually parallel abutment surfaces, and then the portions (3, 4) are advanced towards one another until they abut (Fig. 3). <IMAGE>