Simulation technology for NC tube bending process

The collisions among a tube, dies and components of a bender often happen in tube bending process and forming quality of the tube will be damaged badly. Simulation technology for tube bending process is proposed to solve the problem. Assembly model and kinematics model for CNC tube bender are set up by analyzing the motion characteristics in tube bending process. Algorithm for collision detection with compound containing boxes of OBB and AABBs is proposed, and expandable OBB tree of tube segments is constructed to improve efficient of collision detection. The simulation system for tube bending process is developed to detect collision efficiently. Framework and function modules of the simulation system are introduced in detail. The simulation system is feasible by comparing the simulation result with the practical tube bending. The simulation technology for NC tube bending process makes it possible for tubing manufacture to change from traditional mode to digital and predictable mode.