Apparatus and method for overcoming angular deviations in a workpiece

A press comprising:

• a frame;
• an upper bending member and a lower bending member supported by the frame, the upper and lower bending members being moveable relative to each other to apply force to a workpiece placed between the upper and lower bending members;
• and
• a shape forming system associated with at least one of the upper and lower bending members for adjusting the shape of the bending member, the shape forming system comprising a plurality of interconnected shaping members spaced apart from each other and extending along the bending member to permit adjustment of the overall curved shape of the bending member by co-ordinated slidable movement of the shaping members over each other in a longitudinal direction relative to the bending member and to permit localized adjustment of one or more portions of the overall shape of the bending member by independent longitudinal movement of one or more of the shaping members relative to the bending member.

A press comprising:

• a frame;
• upper and lower bending means supported by the frame and moveable relative to each other to apply force to a workpiece placed between the bending means, at least one of the bending means having an inner surface and an opposing elongated outer surface for shaping the workpiece when the force is applied;
• and
• shape forming means associated with at least one of the upper and lower bending means for adjusting the shape of the elongated outer surface, the shape forming means comprising a plurality of interconnected shaping members spaced apart from each other and extending along the elongated outer surface to permit adjustment of the overall curved shape of the elongated outer surface by co-ordinated slidable movement of the shaping members over each other in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongated outer surface and to permit localized adjustment of one or more portions of the overall shape of the elongated outer surface by independent longitudinal movement of one or more of the shaping members relative to the elongated outer surface.

A method for adjusting the shape of a elongate member having an outer surface and an inner surface comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of interconnected shaping members spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the inner surface;
• moving the shaping members as a group in a longitudinal direction relative to the outer surface to adjust the overall curved shape of the elongated outer surface;
• and
• moving one or more individual shaping member independently in a longitudinal direction relative to the outer surface to adjust one or more localized portions of the overall shape of the elongated outer surface.