Method and apparatus for separating thin-walled, multiport micro-extrusions

A method of separating a thin-walled multiport extrusion into sections of a micro-tube suitable for use as pass portions in a heat exchanger assembly, the extrusion having an upper wall and a lower wall, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a groove in the upper wall of the extrusion to a depth less than the thickness of the upper wall,
• providing a groove in the lower wall of the extrusion to a depth less than the thickness of the lower wall of the extrusion, the grooves in the upper and lower walls being aligned and extending transversely of the extrusion defining extrusion first and second portions,
• applying a clamping means to the upper and lower walls of the extrusion first portion adjacent the grooves in the upper and lower walls, and
• reciprocating the extrusion second portion in a back and forth motion with sufficient force relative to the clamped first portion to exceed the yield point of the material of the extrusion to thereby sever the extrusion first portion from the extrusion second portion.

Apparatus for use in separating a thin-walled multiport extrusion into a plurality of sections of micro-tube for use in a heat exchanger, the extrusion having an upper wall and a lower wall, said apparatus comprising first clamping means including first and second separable clamping members, second clamping means including third and fourth separable clamping means, second cutting means carried by said second clamping means, second cutting means carried by said second clamping means, said first clamping means being positionable on said upper wall of said extrusion with said first cutting means penetrating said upper wall to a preselected depth along a first cutting line, defining first and second extrusion sections, and said second clamping means being positionable on said lower wall of said extrusion with said second cutting means aligned with said first cutting means and penetrating said lower wall a predetermined depth along a second cutting line which is substantially parallel to said first cutting line, said first and third clamping members defining a first clamping assembly which is rigidly clamped to said first extrusion section, and said second and fourth clamping members defining a second clamping assembly which is rigidly clamped to said second extrusion section, and means for moving said first clamping assembly in a first direction perpendicular to said cutting lines and said second clamping assembly in the opposite direction, whereby said first cutting means and said second cutting means pull said extrusion sections in opposite directions, pulling said first extrusion section away from said second extrusion section with sufficient force to exceed the yield point of the material of the extrusion to thereby sever said first extrusion section from said second extrusion section.