Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for straightening the end of an elongated workpiece which has a longitudinal axis and an elastic limit includes at least three rams arranged symmetrically around the workpiece and around a common axis and are moveable perpendicularly to the axis for deflecting the longitudinal axis of the workpiece into a path of revolution by deforming the workpiece beyond the elastic limit without rotating the workpiece around the axis. A piston cylinder unit is connected to each of the rams for performing a reciprocal stroke movement. The piston cylinder units are selectively controlled so that the piston cylinder units and associated rams perform a phase shifted sinusoidal stroke movement. The method is performed by centering the workpiece between at least three load applying members disposed radially and symmetrically about the workpiece so that the longitudinal axis is at a locus, deflecting the longitudinal axis of the workpiece away from the locus by applying a load to the workpiece with at least one of the load applying members in a predetermined amount perpendicular to the axis and beyond the elastic limit of the workpiece, acting with the load applying members on the workpiece so that the deflected axis describes a path of revolution around the locus without rotating the workpiece, and maintaining the predetermined deflection over at least one revolution.

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First Claim