Method of processing tubes
OwnerJohn QUIGLEYinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When a tube is to be cut into a plurality of sections, the tube and the mandrel are moved into a telescopic relationship. The tube is cut to form a plurality of product sections and at least one scrap section while the tube and mandrel rotate about a central axis of the mandrel. The scrap section is gripped while the scrap section and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship. The mandrel and scrap section are moved out of the telescopic relationship while continuing to grip the scrap section. The product sections are received at a receiving location. Scrap sections may be formed at opposite end portions of the tube and gripped by first and second grippers. Backup rollers may be pressed against the tube during cutting of the tube.
Claims42
A method of processing tubes, said method comprising the steps of moving a mandrel and a tube into a telescopic relationship, cutting the tube to form a plurality of product sections and at least one scrap section while rotating the tube and mandrel about a central axis of the mandrel and while the tube and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, gripping the scrap section while the scrap section and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, thereafter, moving the mandrel and scrap section out of a telescopic relationship while continuing to grip the scrap section, and receiving the plurality of product sections at a receiving location.
A method as set forth in 1 wherein said step of moving the mandrel and scrap section out of a telescopic relationship is performed while the plurality of product sections are disposed in a telescopic relationship with the mandrel.
A method of processing tubes, said method comprising the steps of moving a first tube to a work station, moving a mandrel into a telescopic relationship with the first tube while the first tube is at the work station, cutting the first tube to form a first plurality of product sections and a first scrap section while the first tube and a mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, gripping the first scrap section with a first gripper while the first scrap section is at the work station in a telescopic relationship with the mandrel, moving the mandrel and first scrap section out of a telescopic relationship while the first scrap section is gripped by the first gripper, moving the first gripper and first scrap section away from the work station, moving a second tube to the work station, moving the mandrel into a telescopic relationship with the second tube while the second tube is at the work station, cutting the second tube to form a second plurality of product sections and a second scrap section while the second tube and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, moving the first scrap section and first gripper toward the second scrap section, moving the first scrap section relative to the first gripper as the first gripper moves toward the second scrap section, gripping the second scrap section with the first gripper while the second scrap section is at the work station in a telescopic relationship with the mandrel and while the first scrap section is held by the first gripper, moving the mandrel and second scrap section out of a telescopic relationship while the second scrap section is gripped by the first gripper and while the first scrap section is held by the first gripper, and receiving the first and second pluralities of product sections at a product receiving location.
A method of processing tubes, said method comprising the steps of moving a first tube to a work station, moving a mandrel and the first tube into a telescopic relationship while the first tube is at the work station, rotating the first tube at the work station under influence of force transmitted to the first tube from the mandrel, rotating a plurality of knives about an axis spaced from and extending parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the mandrel, moving the plurality of rotating knives into engagement with the first tube while the first tube and mandrel rotate about the longitudinal central axis of the mandrel, cutting the first tube at the work station with the rotating knives to form a plurality of product sections and a first scrap section while the first tube and mandrel rotate about the central axis of the mandrel, gripping the first scrap section with a first gripper while the first scrap section and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, moving the plurality of product sections in a first direction along a first path extending from the work station to a receiving location, and moving the first scrap section from the work station in a second direction along a portion of a second path which extends transverse to the first path, said step of moving the first scrap section from the work station in a second direction being at least partially performed with the first scrap section held by the first gripper.
A method of processing tubes, said method comprising the steps of moving a first tube to a work station, moving a mandrel and the first tube into a telescopic relationship, rotating a plurality of knives about an axis extending parallel to the central axis of the mandrel, cutting the first tube at the work station with the rotating knives to form a plurality of product sections and a plurality of scrap sections, gripping a first scrap section with a first gripper while the first scrap section and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, gripping a second scrap section with a second gripper while the second scrap section and mandrel are in a telescopic relationship, moving the mandrel out of a telescopic relationship with the first and second scrap sections and with the plurality of product sections, moving the plurality of product sections away from the work station along a first path to a receiving location, moving the first gripper and first scrap section away from the work station along a second path which is at least partially spaced from the first path, and moving the second gripper and second scrap section away from the work station along a third path which is at least partially spaced from the first path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.