Kennedy, No. 2 geared patent bending machine

This type of machine, patented by W. Kennedy in 1903-9, is used for bending tubes or rods of various sections when cold, without distortion. It consists of a cast-iron body having a screwed mandrel projecting upwards from its centre with a stop at one point in its circumference.

Rings or formers of the required radius, with their outer faces grooved to fit the tube or rod to be bent, are placed on the mandrel and an adjustable top plate is screwed down above them. An arm, pivoted at the top of the mandrel, carries a vertical pin having upon it a grooved roller which is at the same level as the former. The work is laid behind the stop and the roller is placed behind the end to be bent, the top plate being screwed down so as to prevent any flattening. The arm is then revolved and so wraps the work round the former, through whatever angle is required.

For the smaller sizes the arm is revolved by a lever fitted to it, but for the heavier sections gearing is employed. The pin carrying the bending roller has a pinion on its lower end, which gears with teeth cut round the body, and is rotated by a ratchet lever on its upper end.