WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL

**Definition:** This place covers:

Processes and apparatus for the mechanical working of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles without essentially removing material.

Processes and apparatus for punching, i.e. press-cutting, sheet metal or other metal stock material, as a particular mechanical working which removes material.

It further covers the following parts and devices related to those apparatus:

Tools as parts of those machines;

Feeding, positioning or storing devices combined with, or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, those apparatus;

Ejecting or stripping-off devices arranged in those machines or tools;

Associations of cutting devices with those apparatus;

Special measures to adapt those apparatus for working metal foils, e.g. gold foils;

Safety devices protecting the machine or the operator, specially adapted for those apparatus.

The mechanical working covers treatments characterised by their function, comprising methods for

straightening, restoring form or removing local distortions,

bending or twisting,

corrugating, bending into wave form or forming single grooves,

edge treatments, e.g. for flanging tubes

shaping without cutting by stamping, spinning, deep-drawing or by applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces,

shaping by press cutting, i.e. punching, e.g. for cutting-out or perforating,

stretching sheet metal of limited length,

stabbing, piercing, expanding, hammering, beating, peen forming or other methods,

processes combining those methods.

The processing of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles covers the application of those mechanical metal-working treatments or methods for the following particular purposes

in order to connect objects or parts,

in order to expand tubes,

in order to alter the diameter of tube ends,

in the manufacture of finished or semi-finished articles, comprising rigid structural elements or units, hollow objects and other particular articles,

for sheathing or stiffening objects.

**Limiting references (this place does not cover):** - Working or processing of wire, e.g. for making wire fabrics -> B21F

**Glossary:** - Profile: a load supporting metal bar with a particular cross section different from those of tubes or rods, e.g. an I-beam