METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SIMULATING BENDING OF A TUBE

The method for simulating bending of a tube by means of at least one bending machine comprises a step of calculating at least one cycle of bending commands ( 30, 35 ) related to at least one tube-manufacturing parameter as a function of a set of tube data ( 10 ) and of a set of technological data ( 20 ). There is obtained at least one three-dimensional geometric model ( 40 ) of at least one bending machine and associated mechanical tools as a function of at least one parameter ( 50 ) derived from the cycle of bending commands calculated in this way ( 30, 35 ). In accordance with the cycle of bending commands calculated in this way ( 35 ), obtaining a three-dimensional and kinematic simulation of the process in which the tube represented in this way by the set of tube data ( 10 ) is bent by means of at least one bending machine and associated mechanical tools represented in this way by the corresponding three-dimensional geometric model ( 40 ). There is verified the possibility of manufacturing the tube by means of a bending machine and associated mechanical tools during the three-dimensional and kinematic simulation obtained in this way.