An actuating device is disclosed for actuating a contractible element for a bending element of an industrial machine for bending metal elements provided with a lower component and an upper component apt to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the actuation device including a connecting plate configured to be connected to the lower component of the contractible element. A rack and pinion gear unit is also set out and includes a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack actuated simultaneously by the pinion. The first rack is configured to be fixed to the upper component and the second rack is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate. The pinion is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack and the second rack transverse to the axis in opposite directions. The pinion is operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to the first one, to move the racks in opposite directions towards a second position.

A method for forming large titanium parts includes forming bends into a titanium plate for form a bent part. The bent part is then roll-formed to form contours into the bent part. The surfaces of the contoured part are rough-machined, and the part is then secured to a bladed form fixture. The bladed form fixture comprises a plurality of header boards that secure the part to the fixture. The fixture part is placed in a thermal vacuum furnace and a stress-relieving operation is performed. The part is removed from the fixture and final machining takes place.

A method of manufacturing a centrifugal fan is provided that includes cutting a metal sheet to form a positive pressure surface forming member and a negative pressure surface forming member, respectively, forming a positive pressure surface and a negative pressure surface; pressing the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member to form a first curved surface forming the positive pressure surface and a second curved surface forming the negative pressure surface; trimming the positive pressure surface forming member provided with the fast curved surface and the negative pressure surface forming member provided with the second curved surface to form a shroud bonding surface and a main plate bonding surface; bending the shroud bonding surface and the main plate bonding surface; bonding the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member to each other; and bonding the shroud bonding surface and a shroud to each other and bonding the main plate bonding surface and a main plate to each other in a bonded state of the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member.

A method of manufacturing a centrifugal fan is provided that includes cutting a metal sheet to form a positive pressure surface forming member and a negative pressure surface forming member, respectively, forming a positive pressure surface and a negative pressure surface; pressing the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member to form a first curved surface forming the positive pressure surface and a second curved surface forming the negative pressure surface; trimming the positive pressure surface forming member provided with the fast curved surface and the negative pressure surface forming member provided with the second curved surface to form a shroud bonding surface and a main plate bonding surface; bending the shroud bonding surface and the main plate bonding surface; bonding the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member to each other; and bonding the shroud bonding surface and a shroud to each other and bonding the main plate bonding surface and a main plate to each other in a bonded state of the positive pressure surface forming member and the negative pressure surface forming member.

A method of assembling a tapping sleeve includes positioning an outlet band on a pipe element with an arcuate portion of the outlet band contacting an outer surface of the pipe element, the outlet band including a front end, a back end, a first side end, a second side end, a first bend line defined between the first side end and the second side end and extending from the front end to the back end, a second bend line defined between the first bend line and the second side end and extending from the front end to the back end, wherein the outlet band defines an arcuate portion between the first bend line and the second bend line, a first flange defined between the first side end and the first bend line, and a second flange defined between the second side end and the second bend line.

Provided, among other things, is a method of cutting and folding a planar substrate with a focused laser beam, directed from above the substrate, to form a shape with features in 3-dimensions, the method comprising: (a) executing from above laser cuts to the planar substrate so as to provide one or more a releasable segments; (b) executing from above one or more laser-executed upward folds to bend all or a portion of a releasable segment; and (c) executing from above one or more laser-executed downward folds to bend all or a portion of a releasable segment; wherein the cuts and folds are structured so that precursors to the 3D shape remain attached to the substrate while sufficient cuts and folds are made to form the 3D shape, and wherein the planar substrate is immobile during said steps (a) through (c), or is only moved in the plane of the substrate.

A tapping sleeve includes a first bend line in a planar outlet band between a first side end and a second side end of the planar outlet band, the first bend line extending from a front end to a back end of the planar outlet band, a first outlet flange defined between the first side and the first bend line; a second bend line in the planar outlet band between the first bend line and the second side end, the second bend line extending from the front end to the back end of the planar outlet band, a second outlet flange defined between the second side and the second bend line; and an arcuate portion formed between the first bend line and the second bend line.

Tools for punching machines for reshaping at least one portion of a plate-shaped workpiece are described. The tools have a first tool portion that includes a first device configured to be held in a first tool holder of the punching machine and a bending stamp having a bending edge and a second tool portion including a second device configured to be held in a second tool holder of the punching machine and a bending roller configured to cooperate with the bending stamp to reshape the plate-shaped workpiece. The bending roller is rotatable around a rotation axis running parallel to the bending edge. The bending roller includes a sector-shaped notch formed along the rotation axis and formed, at least in part, by first and second bending shank edges. The bending roller includes a plurality of second bending segments positioned on the rotation axis to rotate about the rotation axis.

Tools for punching machines for reshaping at least one portion of a plate-shaped workpiece are described. The tools have a first tool portion that includes a first device configured to be held in a first tool holder of the punching machine and a bending stamp having a bending edge and a second tool portion including a second device configured to be held in a second tool holder of the punching machine and a bending roller configured to cooperate with the bending stamp to reshape the plate-shaped workpiece. The bending roller is rotatable around a rotation axis running parallel to the bending edge. The bending roller includes a sector-shaped notch formed along the rotation axis and formed, at least in part, by first and second bending shank edges. The bending roller includes a plurality of second bending segments positioned on the rotation axis to rotate about the rotation axis.

A foil tab forming apparatus forms at least one foil tab of a positive electrode foil tab and a negative electrode foil tab respectively provided at a top portion and a bottom portion of an electrode assembly. The foil tab forming apparatus includes a pre-forming jig configured to bend the foil tab by pressing the foil tab, while moving in a direction from an outer circumferential portion of the electrode assembly to a winding center portion of the electrode assembly and a forming jig configured to press the foil tab that has been primarily bent by the pre-forming jig, by moving along a direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrode assembly.