A clamp member and a counter pressure member are hingedly connected together about a rotary axis, and a fitting portion of a fitting protrusion that is positioned in a fitting recess is located at a foreside in an advancing direction of the pipe relative to a position where a bending operation of the pipe is initiated, and a mating portion at which a first groove part of the clamp member and a second groove part of a counter pressure member mate is located at a backside in the advancing direction of the pipe relative to the position where the bending operation of the pipe is initiated. The counter pressure member comprises a first member supported rotatably about the rotary axis, a second member detachably connected to the first member, and a third member detachably connected to the second member, which are connected together by a common connecting member (e.g., bolt).

A terminal bending tool comprises a plate, a plurality of receiving grooves, and a plurality of rollers. The plate extends in a first horizontal direction. The receiving grooves are disposed in the plate in a row along the first horizontal direction. The rollers are pivotally mounted in the receiving grooves. A terminal is received and positioned in a first receiving groove and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a first roller. When the terminal bending tool is moved in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, the first roller rotates and moves along a surface of the terminal while pressing and bending the terminal.

A terminal bending tool comprises a plate, a plurality of receiving grooves, and a plurality of rollers. The plate extends in a first horizontal direction. The receiving grooves are disposed in the plate in a row along the first horizontal direction. The rollers are pivotally mounted in the receiving grooves. A terminal is received and positioned in a first receiving groove and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a first roller. When the terminal bending tool is moved in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, the first roller rotates and moves along a surface of the terminal while pressing and bending the terminal.

A hydraulic conduit bender may be provided. The hydraulic conduit bender may comprise a mast and a main bending cylinder. The mast may be disposed in a working position. The main bending cylinder may be disposed in the mast. The main bending cylinder may be operative to accept, on a throw extending from the main bending cylinder when the mast is in the working position, different sizes of a plurality of bending shoes without having to adjust a position of the main bending cylinder within the mast.

A hydraulic conduit bender may be provided. The hydraulic conduit bender may comprise a mast and a main bending cylinder. The mast may be disposed in a working position. The main bending cylinder may be disposed in the mast. The main bending cylinder may be operative to accept, on a throw extending from the main bending cylinder when the mast is in the working position, different sizes of a plurality of bending shoes without having to adjust a position of the main bending cylinder within the mast.

Methods for making curved pieces from continuous metal elements are provided. Such methods include advancing a continuous metal element through a calendering station such that each length of the element assumes a pre-established curvature; stopping advancement of the element after a curved length thereof has passed through a wrap-bending station located downstream of the calendering station; wrap-bending the length of the element located at the station, while simultaneously conveying the curved portion to a stretch-bending station; stretch-bending the curved portion; resuming advancement of the element until the wrap-bent length is at a cutting station; and cutting the element in the wrap-bent length, thus producing the desired curved piece. Curved pieces produced by such methods are also provided.

Methods for making curved pieces from continuous metal elements are provided. Such methods include advancing a continuous metal element through a calendering station such that each length of the element assumes a pre-established curvature; stopping advancement of the element after a curved length thereof has passed through a wrap-bending station located downstream of the calendering station; wrap-bending the length of the element located at the station, while simultaneously conveying the curved portion to a stretch-bending station; stretch-bending the curved portion; resuming advancement of the element until the wrap-bent length is at a cutting station; and cutting the element in the wrap-bent length, thus producing the desired curved piece. Curved pieces produced by such methods are also provided.

A bending device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a track device which linearly extends in a predetermined direction, first and second bases placed on the track device and movable on the track device, a first robot mounted on the first base, a second robot mounted on the second base, and a bending mechanism which is disposed at each end of the first and second robots and grips and bends the workpiece. The first robot is a multi-articulated robot including a joint rotatable around an axis vertical to the first base and a joint rotatable around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the workpiece. The second robot is a multi-articulated robot including a joint rotatable around an axis vertical to the second base and a joint rotatable around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the workpiece.

A bending device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a track device which linearly extends in a predetermined direction, first and second bases placed on the track device and movable on the track device, a first robot mounted on the first base, a second robot mounted on the second base, and a bending mechanism which is disposed at each end of the first and second robots and grips and bends the workpiece. The first robot is a multi-articulated robot including a joint rotatable around an axis vertical to the first base and a joint rotatable around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the workpiece. The second robot is a multi-articulated robot including a joint rotatable around an axis vertical to the second base and a joint rotatable around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the workpiece.

An apparatus is provided for bending a pipe and checking a bent shape of the pipe. The apparatus includes a bender for forming a bend in the pipe and at least two cameras for determining an alignment of the pipe in proximity to the free end of the pipe.