Abstract
The formed parts of tubes easily interfere with the equipment when forming complex tubes in 3D free bending forming technology. Consequently, to solve the interferential phenomenon, an active deflection method (ADM) to avoid interference was proposed to drive the deformed tube around its axis by controlling the bending die. The method extended the activity freedom of the equipment without installing the additional motion shafting. However, severe section distortion, surface scratches and other forming defects frequently occurred during the implementation of ADM, which reduced the structural strength and pressure resistance of the tubes. A mechanical model was developed to analyze the force state of the tube, and the results showed that the driving force of active deflection was mainly determined by the trajectory radius. The curve of the adopted bell-shaped transition structure was closer to the bending curvature of the tube than the rounded structure, which transformed the guider and the tube from linear contact to surface contact. The simulation and experiment results indicated that adding the trajectory radius could strengthen the rotation torque. The stress concentration in the tube was alleviated after applying the bell-shaped transition structure.