Bending of extruded profiles during extrusion process

Direct bending of extruded aluminium profiles during the extrusion process has numerous advantages in comparison to the conventional cold bending process. Since the workpiece is still warm during the bending process, the spring-back phenomenon can be avoided. Smaller bending radii can be produced in a single step. There are several basic differences among the existing methods. Some methods influence the material flow during the extrusion, so that a curved profile leaves the extrusion die. Other methods use a bending apparatus, which is placed directly behind the extrusion die. Based on the FEM-simulation results experimental investigations were performed on 8MN extrusion press.