WO2012044181A1

WO2012044181A1 - Bending apparatuses, systems and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2012044181A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2011/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven John Fern; Richard James Aimers
Original assignee: Scott Technology Limited
Priority date: 2010-09-29
Filing date: 2011-09-15
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

A metal bending apparatus includes a carrier bearing at least one bending tool. The position and orientation of the carrier and/or bending tool are adjustable, allowing the apparatus to perform a number of different bending operations. The carrier may bear several different tools, with the free adjustment of orientation and/or position of the carrier allowing different tools to be brought to an operating position.

Description

BENDING APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to bending, in particular to bending of metal stock. The invention relates particularly but no exclusively to bending of sheet metal materials.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Metal folding operations are an essential part of many fabrication processes. Folding operations are applied to a number of different metal materials, including sheet metal, metal tubes or pipes, metal rods etc.

Existing folding methods include wipe bending, in which a fold wing slides over the material being folded, while pressing it against a fold die. This process tends to damage the metal surface because of the sliding action and also causes distortion in the metal thickness around the fold. This process also requires a specific die for each type of fold. Incremental folding methods are known, in which a series of closely spaced folding operations are performed in order to "build up" a large fold from a number of smaller folds. However, existing incremental folding methods suffer from slow speed and/or overly complex control systems. Furthermore, many bending machines operate to perform a specific type of bending operation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved bending apparatus, system or method, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a metal bending apparatus including: a clamp mechanism; and a bending mechanism including: a carrier carrying one or more bending tools; and a system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier in two dimensions in order to effect a bending operation.

Preferably the bending mechanism further includes: a first pivot joint movable in a plane; and a link arm attached to the first pivot joint; wherein the carrier is attached to the link arm by means of a second pivot joint.

Preferably the position of the carrier is manipulated by adjustment of the position of the first pivot joint and an angle of the link arm about the first pivot joint; and the orientation of the carrier is adjusted by adjustment of the angle of the carrier about the second pivot joint.

Preferably the apparatus includes a support to which the first pivot joint is mounted, the support being configured for movement of the carriage along a predetermined path. Preferably the support is a carriage that rides on a support track. Preferably the predetermined path is a substantially vertical path.

Alternatively the support is carried by an adjustable linkage or arm.

Preferably the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier includes one or more actuators for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier. Preferably the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier includes a plurality of actuators for manipulating the position and the orientation. Preferably the plurality of actuators includes three or more actuators. Preferably the actuators are linear actuators. Preferably the plurality of actuators includes one or more first linear actuators acting substantially in a first direction and two or more second linear actuators acting at an angle to the first direction, the actuators cooperating to manipulate the position and the orientation of the carrier. Preferably the orientation of the carrier is manipulated at least principally by operation of the second linear actuators.

Preferably each actuator is pivotally connected to the carrier.

Preferably the apparatus includes a feed mechanism for feeding metal stock. Preferably the feed mechanism includes one or more of: a robotic feed arrangement and an indexing table.

Preferably the clamping mechanism includes upper and lower clamp members, wherein at least one of the clamp members is moveable to clamp metal stock between the two clamp members. Preferably the lower clamp member is fixed while the upper clamp member is moveable.

Preferably the apparatus includes a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

Preferably one or more of the clamp members provides or supports a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

Preferably the former is removable for replacement with another former having a different forming shape.

Preferably the carrier includes two or more arms each configured to carry one or more bending tools.

Preferably the carrier is configured to carry two or more bending tools fixed in relation to each other. Preferably independent and/or simultaneous manipulation of the orientation and/or position of the carrier allows a plurality of different bend types to be effected by the apparatus. Preferably the plurality of different bend types include tangent bends and wipe bends.

Preferably the apparatus is configured to bend sheet metal material.

Preferably the apparatus includes a controller configured to control manipulation of the orientation and position of the carrier in order to effect a bending operation.

Preferably the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier is configured to manipulate simultaneously the orientation and position of the carrier in two dimensions in order to effect a bending operation.

In a second aspect the invention provides a metal bending apparatus including: a clamp mechanism; and a bending mechanism including: a first pivot joint movable in a plane; a link arm attached to the first pivot joint; a carrier attached to the link arm by means of a second pivot joint, the carrier carrying one or more bending tools; and a system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier in two dimensions.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method of bending metal stock using the apparatus of the first or second aspect including: clamping the metal stock using the clamp mechanism; and bending the metal stock using the bending mechanism.

In a fourth aspect the invention provides a metal bending apparatus including: a clamp mechanism; and a bending mechanism including: a rotary tool holder bearing a plurality of bending tools angularly displaced from each other around an axis of rotation of the rotary tool holder; a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the rotary tool holder about the axis of rotation; and a positioning arrangement configured to manipulate the position of the axis of rotation of the rotary tool holder in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation; wherein, in use, the rotation arrangement is operable to bring a selected bending tool from the plurality of bending tools to an operating position, and the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement are configured to operate simultaneously to effect a bending operation on metal stock.

Preferably the apparatus includes a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation. Preferably one or more of the clamp members also provides or supports a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

Preferably the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement are configured to operate simultaneously to effect a tangent bending operation on metal stock.

Preferably the rotary tool holder includes two or more arms each extending from the axis of rotation and each configured to bear one or more of the plurality of bending tools. Preferably independent and/or simultaneous operation of the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement allows a plurality of different bend types to be effected by the apparatus. Preferably the plurality of different bend types include tangent bends and wipe bends.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a method of bending metal stock using the apparatus of the fourth aspect including: clamping the metal stock using the clamp mechanism; and bending the metal stock using the bending mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a bending apparatus according to one embodiment;

Figure 2 shows the bending apparatus of Figure 1 , with the carrier in a different position;

Figure 3 shows the bending apparatus of Figure 1 , with the carrier in a different orientation;

Figures 4A to 4G illustrate various bending operations;

Figure 5 shows a bending apparatus according to a further embodiment;

Figures 6A to 6F illustrate a tangent bending operation; Figure 7 shows a bending apparatus according to another embodiment;

and

Figure 8 illustrates a control arrangement; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows parts of a bending apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. These parts will be mounted to an apparatus framework or chassis, which for clarity is not shown in the drawings. The nature of such a framework or chassis is well known in the field and need not be discussed further.

The apparatus may include a feed mechanism 2, which feeds metal stock 3 into the apparatus 1. Alternatively, material may be fed manually into the machine. In the embodiment shown the feed mechanism 2 is an index table, which applies a vacuum (or some other force, such as a clamping force) to the metal stock and moves the metal to position it correctly for a bending operation to be effected. However, any suitable automated feed mechanism could be used, including for example robotic mechanisms.

The apparatus 1 may be suitable for bending any type of metal stock, including tube and square / rectangular cross-section material. However, preferably the apparatus is configured for bending sheet metal material. The apparatus 1 includes a clamp mechanism 5, which in a preferred form includes an upper clamp member or jaw 6 and a lower clamp member or jaw 7. One or both of these clamp members 6, 7 move to clamp the metal stock 3 in position for a bending operation. The lower member 7 may be fixed while the upper member 6 moves down to clamp the metal stock 3 and up to release the metal stock 3.

At least one former 8, 9 is provided. The former provides the surface against which the metal stock 3 is bent. Formers may be formed integrally with the clamp members, or may be provided as replaceable feet or inserts. Formers may be particularly suited to a bend type, shape or radius and this allows different shaped formers to be used for different bending operations. The apparatus also includes a carrier 11 , on which one or more bending tools 12, 13 are carried. Preferably the carrier carries a plurality of tools. The preferred embodiment shown has a generally U-shaped carrier with an upper arm 14 carrying a first tool 12 for effecting downward bending operations and a lower arm 15 carrying a second tool 13 for effecting upward bending operations. Any number of arms may be provided - for example an E-shaped carrier could be used.

The carrier 11 is connected to a mechanism for manipulating or adjusting the position and orientation of the carrier. Any suitable mechanism may be used, including adjustable linkages or arms, robotic arms etc. In the preferred embodiment shown the carrier is mounted to a link arm 17, which is itself mounted on a support 18. The arm is mounted at a first pivot joint 19 to the support 18. The carrier is mounted at a second pivot joint 20 to the link arm 17. The support 18 is in the form of a carriage which slides up and down on a support track 22.

In general the support 18 is preferably confined to movement in a plane or along a predetermined path. In the preferred embodiment shown it is confined to movement along a vertical path defined by the support track 22. A number of actuators adjust the position and orientation of the carrier in two dimensions. These preferably include a plurality of actuators that act in at least two directions. Figure 1 shows a first actuator 25 that acts substantially in a direction indicated by the arrow 26. The first actuator 25 is pivotally mounted to the carrier 11 at pivot joint 27 and to the apparatus framework at pivot joint 28. The axis of the actuator 25 and therefore the exact direction 26 in which it acts depends on the position of the carrier in two dimensions. The carrier does not move only up or down but also rotates and moves from left to right (as shown). These movements will result in the first actuator acting at an angle to the vertical. The apparatus also includes a number of second actuators 30, 31 , which operate at an angle to the direction 26. Although in the neutral position shown in Figure 1 , the actuators appear to operate perpendicular to the direction 26, this will not always be the case. Rather the angle depends on the position and orientation of the carrier 11.

The second actuators 30, 31 are also pivotally attached at their ends to the framework and the carrier 11. Figure 1 shows the second actuators being positioned one on either side of the second pivot joint 20. This allows the second actuators to cooperate to adjust the orientation of the carrier by adjusting the angle of the carrier about the second pivot joint 20. In addition the second actuators 30, 31 adjust the position of the carrier. For example extension of both second actuators 30, 31 will drive the carrier to the right (as shown).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the position of the carrier is adjusted by adjusting the position of the carriage 18 and first pivot joint 19, and the angle defined by the link arm 17 about the first pivot joint 19. The orientation of the carrier is adjusted by adjusting the angle of the carrier about the second pivot joint. These movements are driven by the first and second actuators. Preferably a plurality of actuators is provided, more preferably three or more actuators.

The actuators may be linear actuators, preferably hydraulic or electric actuators. Each actuator is preferably pivotally connected at one end to the framework and at one end to the carrier.

Figure 2 shows the apparatus 1 , with the carrier 11 having been moved slightly to the left (as shown) away from the clamp members 6, 7. Both second actuators 30, 31 have contracted slightly. The link arm 17 has rotated slightly clockwise about the pivot 19. The first actuator 28 has rotated slightly anti-clockwise about the pivot 28. The carrier 11 remains oriented generally square to the clamp mechanism 5, with the tools 12, 13 being directly one above the other. Maintaining this orientation while moving directly to the left also requires slight rotation at pivots 20, 27. Figure 3 shows the apparatus 1 with the orientation of the carrier 11 having been adjusted. The position of the link arm 17 and the second pivot joint 20 is substantially the same as in Figure 2. However, the second actuators 30, 31 have been adjusted. In particular, the upper second actuator 30 has contracted while the lower second actuator 31 has extended to drive anti-clockwise rotation of the carrier 11 about the second pivot joint 20. The first actuator 25 has rotated clockwise about pivot 28, with further pivotal movement about pivot 27. Similarly there has been slight rotation of the two second actuators 30, 31 about their two pivotal connections to the framework and carrier 11.

The skilled reader will understand that adjustment of the first and second actuators allows adjustment of position in two dimensions, i.e. in both the left-right and up- down directions as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The carriage 18 is free to slide up and down on the support track 22 and the link arm 17 is free to pivot about the first pivot joint 19 in order to allow a range of carrier positions in two dimensions.

The skilled reader will also understand that the orientation of the carrier can be adjusted over a wide range of orientations. Furthermore, although adjustment of position and orientation have been described separately above, this is solely for the purposes of clear description. The position and orientation of the carrier, and therefore of tools borne by the carrier, can be adjusted together. This freedom of movement provides a very versatile apparatus that can effect a number of different bending operations. In the embodiment shown the full range of movement of the carrier and tools is achieved using three actuators, or three actuator directions. The skilled reader will understand that a long bending machine may use two or more first actuators 25 operating together and positioned along the length of the machine. Similarly, two or more of each second actuator 30 , 31 may also work together and be positioned along the length of the machine. The three actuator directions allow full adjustment of position and orientation in two dimensions of any number of tools mounted on the carrier. This is a simple configuration that allows a range of operations to be performed on different types and dimensions of metal stock.

Figure 4A illustrates a simple upwards bend (or "wipe bend"), which can be performed by maintaining the carrier and tool orientation while moving the tool directly upwards.

Figure 4B illustrates an overbending operation, in which the upward bent metal stock 3 can be bent back towards the right to form an acute angle bend. This can be performed by moving the tool to the right and/or by rotation of the tool over the top of the clamp jaw 8.

Figure 4C illustrates a simple downwards bend, which can be performed by maintaining the carrier and tool orientation while moving the tool directly downwards. This figure also shows how a number of bending operations can be performed to produce complex shapes.

Figures 4D and 4E shows how the overbent metal stock produced by the operation of Figure 4B can be flattened by positioning it between the clamp jaws 8, 9 and closing the jaws.

Figure 4F shows the tool 13 having both its position and orientation adjusted to travel in substantially circular motion for creation of large radius bends. Figure 4G shows a tool 37 having both its position and orientation adjusted to effect a tangent bend. In tangent bending flow of material in the metal stock being bent is always at a point where the surface 38 of the folding tool 37 is parallel to a tangent of the folding die (i.e. the surface of the clamp former). Tangent bending has the advantages of tight control and reduced surface defects such as wrinkling, pressure marks, crazing and the like. Because of the lack of surface damage, tangent bending can be used with pre-painted_ metal stock. This is especially the case when a leaf spring is used on the tool 37 to protect the metal surface.

Preferably the bend tool contacts the metal stock in the region of the bend being created and the metal stock is bent against / supported by a former.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of apparatus V in which a rotary tool carrier 40 includes a plurality of arms 41 extending from a central portion 42. The carrier 40 is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation 43. Each arm 41 includes an attachment portion 44 to which one or more tools 46 may be attached. The apparatus also includes a rotation arrangement, which is configured to rotate the rotary tool holder about the axis of rotation, and a positioning arrangement, which is configured to manipulate the position of the axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Similarly to the first embodiment discussed above, this allows independent or simultaneous adjustment of the tool position and orientation, allowing different types of bending operation to be performed.

In addition, the tool carrier 40 can be rotated by the rotation arrangement to bring a selected bending tool to an operating position. This allows a number of different tools to be used without the need for tooling to be changed by an operator.

The positioning arrangement may be similar to the positioning arrangement of the first embodiment, or any other suitable arrangement may be used to provide positioning in two dimensions (i.e. horizontal and vertical), including robotic arms, for example. The rotation arrangement may be any suitable form of actuator, such as a servo motor or hydraulic rotary actuator. Again, just three actuators are required to adjust position in two dimensions and orientation of any number of tools on the carrier.

Figures 6A to 6F show how the position and orientation of the carrier 40 can be simultaneously adjusted in order to perform a tangent bend. While described with respect to the second embodiment, the skilled reader will understand that the same movements and bend operations are possible with the first embodiment.

Figure 6A shows the carrier 40 with a tangent bend tool 50 in an operating position, ready to begin a tangent bending operation. The tool 50 is adjacent a former 51 , which may be carried for example by an upper clamp member 6 (not shown in Figures 6A-6F). For clarity metal stock is not shown in Figures 6A to 6F, however the metal stock is to be positioned between the tool 50 and former 51. In the position shown in Figure 6A the upper and lower surfaces of the metal stock, the upper surface of the tool 50 and lower surface of the former 51 may all be parallel.

As the tangent bending operation is performed, the tool is rolled around the former surface, such that it remains tangential to the former surface. Figure 6B shows an early stage of the bend, with the tool, having rolled around the former surface by an angle a of around 10°. This rolling movement is achieved by simultaneous adjustment of the position of the carrier's axis of rotation (which has moved generally upwards and slightly to the left) and clockwise rotation of the carrier about the axis of rotation to adjust the orientation of the tool 50. Figures 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F show further stages of the bending operation, with the tool having rolled around the former surface by an angle a of around 20°, 30°, 40° and 50° respectively. At greater angles, the axis of rotation moves upwards and back towards the right, while clockwise rotation of the carrier continues. This rolling motion maintains the surface of the tool 50 at a tangent to the former 51 at a point where deformation of the metal is occurring. The tool 50 does not slide across the surface of the metal stock, but rolls along that surface.

The surface of the folding tool 50 may be configured to limit damage to the metal stock and/or a separate surface such as leaf spring may be provided for this purpose. This helps to limit surface damage or effects on the metal thickness (such as 'stretching' effects, for example). For example, the surface of the folding tool may be formed from a flexible or resilient material.

When the surface 26 is a floating surface, it may include a spring or similar biasing means to return it to a starting position at the end of each incremental folding operation. Clearly the leaf spring embodiment shown in the drawings is also biased to return to its starting position.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus V with an insert 54 providing the former for creation of tangent bends. The tool 50 moves from a first position shown in solid line to a second position indicated by dashed line.

The Applicant's apparatus can also be used to build up an overall large radius bend by bending the material in multiple positions. The apparatus would move the material to a start position, clamp the material, perform a partial bending operation, unclamp the sheet, index (i.e. move) the material to the next bending position, clamp the material, perform a further bending operation etc. Any suitable number of partial bends could be used to build up the desired overall bend shape. The fold tooling could also move in X and Y axis in a circular path to produce a smooth curve.

The fold tooling, including the surface of the tool used and the surface of the clamp or former may be shaped for a specific bend radius. In this case, the fold tooling may need to be changed if a bend of a different radius is desired. Alternatively, the fold tooling may be designed for use over a specific range of bend radii.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the apparatus may include a controller 60 for controlling the folding operations. The controller 60 may receive user instructions (such as bend types, dimensions, tool selections etc) via a user input device 61 such as a keyboard, touch screen, pointing device (e.g. computer mouse) or any other suitable input device. A display 62 may be provided for display of system information etc to a user. The controller includes memory 63 for storing software and data for implementing the bending operations. The controller is configured to control adjustment of the orientation and position of the carrier 11 , 40 and tools in order to perform bending operations. To this end, the controller controls the positioning and rotation arrangements and/or the various actuators 67, 68, 69 described above via a bend operation module 64. The controller also controls the feed mechanism 2 via a feed module 65 and the clamp mechanism 5 via a clamp module 66. The controller can therefore control operation of the various components of the apparatus 1 , 1' in order to feed material and perform desired bending operations on the material.

The controller may be a programmable controller such as a programmable logic controller or other computer-based controller.

The folding apparatus described above may be incorporated in a metal forming system. For example, the apparatus could be part of a production line, performing a folding operation preceded by or followed by other metal forming operations performed by other pieces of equipment. Such other operations include folding, stamping, pressing, roll forming and any other suitable operations.

The apparatus may be used for folding sheet metal stock, or could be adapted for folding other types of metal stock, such as pipes, rods etc. The free movement of the carrier in two dimensions not only allows for a number of different fold operations to be performed, but also allows different types of metal stock to be folded in a single apparatus. For example, different thicknesses of sheet metal material can be handled simply by adjusting the position of the carrier to compensate for the thickness. While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

A metal bending apparatus including:

a. a clamp mechanism; and

b. a bending mechanism including:

i. a carrier carrying one or more bending tools; and

ii. a system for manipulating the orientation and position of carrier in two dimensions in order to effect a bending operation.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bending mechanism further includes:

iii. a first pivot joint movable in a plane; and

iv. a link arm attached to the first pivot joint;

wherein the carrier is attached to the link arm by means of a second pivot joint.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the position of the carrier is manipulated by adjustment of the position of the first pivot joint and an angle of the link arm about the first pivot joint; and the orientation of the carrier is adjusted by adjustment of the angle of the carrier about the second pivot joint.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 including a support to which the first pivot joint is mounted, the support being configured for movement of the carriage along a predetermined path.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support is a carriage that rides on a support track.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the predetermined path is a substantially vertical path.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support is carried by an adjustable linkage or arm.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier includes one or more actuators for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier includes a plurality of actuators for manipulating the position and the orientation.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the plurality of actuators includes three or more actuators.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the actuators are linear actuators.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the plurality of actuators includes one or more first linear actuators acting substantially in a first direction and two or more second linear actuators acting at an angle to the first direction, the actuators cooperating to manipulate the position and the orientation of the carrier.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the orientation of the carrier is manipulated at least principally by operation of the second linear actuators.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein each actuator is pivotally connected to the carrier.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further including a feed mechanism for feeding metal stock.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the feed mechanism includes one or more of: a robotic feed arrangement and an indexing table.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clamping mechanism includes upper and lower clamp members, wherein at least one of the clamp members is moveable to clamp metal stock between the two clamp members.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the lower clamp member is fixed while the upper clamp member is moveable.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further including a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein one or more of the clamp members also provides or supports a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the former is removable for replacement with another former having a different forming shape.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the carrier includes two or more arms each configured to carry one or more bending tools.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the carrier is configured to carry two or more bending tools fixed in relation to each other.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein independent and/or simultaneous manipulation of the orientation and/or position of the carrier allows a plurality of different bend types to be effected by the apparatus.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the plurality of different bend types include tangent bends and wipe bends.

26. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim configured to bend sheet metal material.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a controller configured to control manipulation of the orientation and position of the carrier in order to ^~ effect a bending operation.

28. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier is configured to manipulate simultaneously the orientation and position of the carrier in two dimensions in order to effect a bending operation.

29. A metal bending apparatus including:

a. a clamp mechanism; and

b. a bending mechanism including:

i. a first pivot joint movable in a plane;

ii. a link arm attached to the first pivot joint;

iii. a carrier attached to the link arm by means of a second pivot joint, the carrier carrying one or more bending tools; and iv. a system for manipulating the orientation and position of the carrier in two dimensions.

30. A method of bending metal stock using the apparatus of any preceding claim including:

a. clamping the metal stock using the clamp mechanism; and

b. bending the metal stock using the bending mechanism.

31. A metal bending apparatus including:

a. a clamp mechanism; and

b. a bending mechanism including:

i. a rotary tool holder bearing a plurality of bending tools angularly displaced from each other around an axis of rotation of the rotary tool holder;

ii. a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the rotary tool holder about the axis of rotation; and

iii. a positioning arrangement configured to manipulate the position of the axis of rotation of the rotary tool holder in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation;

wherein, in use, the rotation arrangement is operable to bring a selected bending tool from the plurality of bending tools to an operating position, and the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement are configured to operate simultaneously to effect a bending operation on metal stock.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31 further including a feed mechanism for feeding metal stock.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein the feed mechanism includes one or more of: a robotic feed arrangement and an indexing table.

34. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein the clamping mechanism includes upper and lower clamp members, wherein at least one of the clamp members is moveable to clamp metal stock between the two clamp members.

35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the lower clamp member is fixed while the upper clamp member is moveable.

36. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 further including a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 or 35 wherein one or more of the clamp members also provides or supports a former against which metal stock is formed during a bending operation.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 36 or 37 wherein the former is removable for replacement with another former having a different forming shape.

39. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 38 wherein the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement are configured to operate simultaneously to effect a tangent bending operation on metal stock.

40. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 39 wherein the rotary tool holder includes two or more arms each extending from the axis of rotation and each configured to bear one or more of the plurality of bending tools.

41. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 40 wherein independent and/or simultaneous operation of the rotation arrangement and the positioning arrangement allows a plurality of different bend types to be effected by the apparatus.

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein the plurality of different bend types include tangent bends and wipe bends.

43. A method of bending metal stock using the apparatus of any one of claims 31 to 42 including:

a. clamping the metal stock using the clamp mechanism; and

b. bending the metal stock using the bending mechanism.

44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 31 substantially as herein described.

45. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

46. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.