The distance between the lines of tangency (in the case of a mid-tangent) or between the end of the part and the line of tangency (in the case of an end tangent). This dimension is important in rotary-draw bending, because clamp length is limited by tangent length, especially that of mid-tangents. If a mid-tangent is too short for a recommended clamp length, then the grip of the clamp must be increased by either machining serrations into its tube cavity or by using a compound cavity instead of a straight one. See clamp die.
FREE Tube-Bending Guide Download:
A complete guide to the principles of the 4-Step set-up for tube-bending tools
This is a printable handbook showing how to implement in four standardized steps the “forward mandrel” set-up for rotary-draw tube-bending machines and establish process control over the so-called black art. The procedure is based upon the guiding principle that the tools make the bend and takes advantage of the inserted design of modern mandrel tooling.