Apparatus for assembling heat exchanger core

An apparatus for assembling a heat exchanger core assembly comprised of a pair of opposed inserts and a plurality of tubes and corrugated fins arranged in an alternate manner between the inserts, said apparatus comprising:

• first guide rail means having a front end and a rear end;
• second guide rail means having a front end and a rear end, the second guide rail means being arranged in such a manner that the rear end of the second guide rail means faces the front end of the first guide rail means so as to define a substantially continuous guide surface therealong;
• a pair of chain attachment means extending between the rear end of the first guide rail means and the front end of the second guide rail means on either side of the guide rail means for movement in a direction from the rear end of the first guide rail means to the front end of the second guide rail means;
• loading stations located between the rear end and the front end of the first guide rail means above the chain attachment means for loading the inserts, tubes and corrugated fins, respectively, on the first guide rail means, with the ends of the inserts and tubes engaged with the chain attachment means;
• means for elevating the second guide rail means between a first position in which the second guide rail means is in alignment with the first guide rail means and a second position elevated from the first position in which the inserts and the tubes are disengaged from the chain attachment means;
• and
• means for compressively clamping the core assembly on the second guide rail means when said second guide rail means is in the second position and for removing the core assembly from the second guide rail means.