Importance

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Abstract

A rod-straightening apparatus 28 includes a movable collet unit 30 for gripping a butt end 24 of a rod 20 to be straightened. The rod 20 extends from the collet unit 30 in a cantilevered fashion to a tip end 26 of the rod. An intermediate portion of the rod 20 is located in a straightener mechanism 32 which includes five spaced, non-rotatable, stationary, straightening blocks 96 located along one side of the intermediate portion of the rod. Four spaced, non-rotatable, movable, straightening blocks 99 are located the opposite side of the intermediate portion of the rod 20 opposite the spaces between the five stationary blocks. The movable blocks 99 are supported on a slide member 140 which is controlled to move the blocks into a position adjacent the intermediate portion of the rod 20 after the intermediate portion has been positioned adjacent the fixed blocks 96. Each of the blocks 96 and 99 is formed with a groove 106 of semi-circular cross section to form a confined passage. A hydraulic cylinder 204 is controlled to move the collet unit 30 in a direction away from the blocks 96 and 99 and a rotary hydraulic motor 58 associated with the collet unit is controlled to rotate a collet 60. During this action, the rod 20 is rotated and the section thereof between the intermediate portion and the tip end 26 is moved through the confined passage defined by the grooves 106 to effect the straightening thereof.

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First Claim