PURPOSE: To enhance the efficiency of tube length control in a tube bending mechanism by accurately controlling the orienting of the ends of a finite length segment, for example, of a U-shaped hairpin tube to a prescribed length.

CONSTITUTION: A tube T is introduced into a tube bender and clamped with a clamping member 34 to a bend arbor 18. In this case, one end 11 of the tube T is brought into contact with the abutting end 33 of a sleeve 29. With the bend arbor 18 rotated at 180 degrees in this state, the tube T is bent in a U- shape; simultaneously, in accordance with this bending movement, a feeding base 23 is moved, advancing the sleeve 29 so as to move the tube T to the bend arbor 18, and delivering one end into the position flush with the other bent end 12. Thus, the ends of a finite length segment of a hairpin tube are made to coincide with each other.