Machine for bending a profile in two bending directions and bending tool

Machine for bending a profile (P), including means for holding and moving (D) the profile along a longitudinal displacement axis (x) and a bending head rotatable about a bending axis (z), and further including:

• at least two clamping forms whose axis is the bending axis (z), taking the form of discs having plane junction faces extending in planes perpendicular to said bending axis, in which are formed a rectilinear first groove with a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bending radius, having an end face for introduction of a profile (P) and a peripheral rebate profiled in continuity with the introduction face of said groove, said groove and said rebate being such that, in the joined position of the junction faces of two clamping forms, two joined grooves delimit a duct for bending a profile (P) having the end face for introducing said profile, and the joined rebates define, in continuity with said introduction face, a bending bearing surface for said profile,
• means for relative movement in translation of the clamping forms along the bending axis (z), adapted to move them between a spaced-apart position for introducing and removing a profile (P) and a joined position for bending said profile, and
• rotation drive means adapted to drive simultaneous rotation of the clamping forms in their joined position,
• said bending machine being characterised in that:
• the clamping forms have in each of their junction faces a rectilinear second groove forming with the rectilinear first groove a pair of grooves delimiting in the joined position of the junction faces of the two clamping forms two clamping ducts between the introduction faces of which extends the bending bearing surface for the profiles (P) formed by two peripheral rebates joined, the arrangement of said grooves and rebates being such that the bending bearing surface for the profiles delimits between the introduction faces of the two clamping ducts a circular arc (α) at least equal to 270° adapted to enable the bending of a length of profile (P):
• either in a first bending direction using one of the two pairs of grooves, by rotation of the clamping forms in a first rotation direction,
• or in a second bending direction using the other pair of grooves, by rotation of the clamping forms in a rotation direction that is the opposite of the first rotation direction,
• means for relative movement of the means (D) for holding the profile (P) and the bending head are adapted to place the axis of one or the other pair of grooves on the longitudinal axis (x).