Bent tube automation tooling

A bent tube apparatus for automation build-up between a workpiece to be acted upon and an automation tooling machine, comprising:

• a rigid elongate body configured to position a workpiece manipulating element at a precise location apart from the automation tooling machine;
• a pivotable clamp coupled to said elongate body and mountable to the automation tooling machine, said pivotable clamp selectively operable to pivot said elongate body relative to the automation tooling machine;
• and
• a registry element coupled with said bent tube apparatus and;
• operable to provide a set registry position for said bent tube apparatus relative to the automated tooling machine such that when said elongate body is pivoted relative to said pivot clamp said bent tube apparatus is returnable to a working position in which said workpiece manipulating element is within an automation workspace proximate the automation tooling machine and at the precise location apart from the automation tooling machine.

A method for manipulating a workpiece, said method comprising:

• coupling a bent tube tooling build-up apparatus to an automation tooling machine, said bent tube apparatus comprising an elongate body coupled at a proximal end to the automation tooling machine at a pivotable clamp;
• moving said bent tube apparatus to a working position relative to the automation tooling machine by moving said bent tube apparatus about theft pivotable clamp;
• and
• manipulating the workpiece by operating the automation tooling machine while said bent tube apparatus is in the working position.