Die for pipe bending apparatus

A die for a machine used to bend a length of pipe, comprising:

• a frame;
• at least one spring plate having a length and a radius of curvature along said length;
• said at least one spring plate supported against said frame wherein said frame and said at least one spring plate together form an eggcrate assembly;
• at least one tie rod;
• said at least one tie rod having a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of plate segments positioned along said at least one tie rod;
• each of said plurality of plate segments including an arcuate cut out therein;
• said at least one tie rod and said plurality of plate segments together form a flexible die;
• said eggcrate assembly and said at least one tie rod being positioned in the die such that the longitudinal axis of said at least one tie rod is parallel to said length of said at least one spring plate;
• a plurality of liner bars oriented substantially parallel to said at least one tie rod lining and movably retained within said arcuate cut outs of said plurality of plate segments.

A method of replacing a bending die in a pipe bending machine that includes a main frame supporting a bending die, a stiffback, and stiffback clamp, a pin-up shoe and pin-up clamp and associated power actuating means, such method including:

• removing the existing bending die and replacing the existing bending die with a die comprising:
• a frame;
• at least one spring plate having a length and a radius of curvature along said length;
• said at least one spring plate supported against said frame wherein said frame and said at least one spring plate together form an eggcrate assembly;
• at least one tie rod;
• said at least one tie rod having a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of plate segments positioned along said at least one tie rod;
• each of said plurality of plate segments including an arcuate cut out therein;
• said at least one tie rod and said plurality of plate segments together form a flexible die;
• said eggcrate assembly and said at least one tie rod being positioned in the die such that the longitudinal axis of said at least one tie rod is parallel to said length of said at least one spring plate;
• a plurality of liner bars oriented substantially parallel to said at least one tie rod lining and movably retained within said arcuate cut outs of said plurality of plate segments.