# US 7,877,159 B2 · Method and apparatus for managing production history information of pipe or tube and method for producing pipe or tube therewith

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- Number: US 7,877,159 B2
- Document ID: US7877159B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/224,303
- Filed: 2007-07-06
- Published: 2009-08-27
- Granted: 2011-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2006-07-31
- Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
- Inventors: Mutsumi Tanida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7877159B2

## CPC

- B23G 1/02: on an external or internal cylindrical or conical surface, e.g. on recesses (B23G1/16, B23G1/22, B23G1/32, B23G1/36 take precedence)
- B23G 1/225: {automatically controlled}
- B23G 1/52: for operating on pipes or tubes
- G05B 19/4183: {characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification}
- B23G 2240/36: Methods of threading not otherwise provided for
- B23G 2240/52: Sensors
- G05B 2219/31288: Archive collected data into history file
- G05B 2219/31296: Identification, pallet object data and program code for station
- G05B 2219/32049: Store program data, manufacturing history on workpiece, shifts to next
- Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
- Y10T 408/03: Processes
- Y10T 408/16: with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
- Y10T 408/909: Having peripherally spaced cutting edges
- B23G: THREAD CUTTING; WORKING OF SCREWS, BOLT HEADS, OR NUTS, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH (making helical grooves by turning B23B5/48, by milling B23C3/32, by forging, pressing, or hammering B21K1/56, by grinding B24B19/02; arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q; thread-forming by corrugating tubes B21D15/04, by rolling B21H3/02)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The production history information management apparatus 100 comprises: machining an identifier for identifying a pipe or tube in a region of the pipe or tube on which thread cutting is to be performed before an initial production process is performed among production processes which are management targets of the production history information; reading the identifier machined on the pipe or tube before each of the production processes is performed or while each of the production processes is performed; management for storing the production history information of the pipe or tube obtained in each of the production processes and the identifier read from the pipe or tube while the production history information and the identifier are associated with each other; and thread cutting for removing the identifier machined on the pipe or tube in the process of performing the thread cutting on the end portions of the pipe or tube among the production processes which are management targets of the production history information.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for managing production history information of a pipe or tube in a process for producing the pipe or tube to which thread cutting is performed on end portions thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
machining an identifier for identifying the pipe or tube in a region of the pipe or tube on which the thread cutting is to be performed by machining means before an initial production process is performed among production processes which are management targets of the production history information;
reading the identifier machined on the pipe or tube with reading means before each of the production processes is performed or while each of the production processes is performed;
storing the production history information of the pipe or tube obtained in each of the production processes and the identifier read from the pipe or tube while the production history information and the identifier are associated with each other; and
removing the identifier machined on the pipe or tube in the process of performing the thread cutting on the end portions of the pipe or tube among the production processes which are management targets of the production history information.

### Claim 2

An apparatus for managing production history information in a process for producing a pipe or tube to which thread cutting is performed on end portions thereof, the apparatus comprising:
machining means for machining an identifier for identifying the pipe or tube in a region of the pipe or tube on which the thread cutting is to be performed before an initial production process is performed among production processes which are management targets of the production history information;
reading means for reading the identifier machined on the pipe or tube before each of the production processes is performed or while each of the production processes is performed;
management means for storing the production history information of the pipe or tube obtained in each of the production processes and the identifier read with the reading means from the pipe or tube while the production history information and the identifier are associated with each other; and
thread cutting means for removing the identifier machined on the pipe or tube in the process of performing the thread cutting on the end portions of the pipe or tube among the production processes which are management targets of the production history information.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method for producing a pipe or tube, comprising a production process in which production history information is managed by the method according to claim 1.