Machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product, like a pipe

Abstract

A machine for forming, using a pressurized fluid, and for profiling, using profiling tools, a metal tubular product, for instance a pipe, in one and the same work cycle. In particular a machine for forming a tubular product in two different portions thereof by using one injector only and forming the tubular product in two different non-adjacent portions by using two injectors.

Claims

1. A machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product using pressurized fluids and profiling tools comprising: means for feeding a pressurized liquid to the machine, a pusher configured and arranged for pushing the metal tubular product, a vise, a mold configured and arranged for determining a desired profile of the metal tubular product through a forming process, and at least a first injector and a second injector provided with at least one battery of profiling tools, wherein the first injector includes a first aperture for providing pressurized liquid received from the means for feeding to an interior of the tubular product and the second injector includes a second aperture for providing pressurized liquid received from the means for feeding to the interior of the tubular product, wherein the first injector is provided with two first radial channels and two first gaskets, wherein one of said first gaskets is seated within each of said first radial channels, and further wherein said first aperture is between said first radial channels, when considered along an axis of the first injector, and wherein the second injector is provided with one second radial channel only and one second gasket only, where the second gasket is seated within the second radial channel, and wherein the battery of profiling tools is placed next to at least one of the first and second injectors, and further wherein said at least one injector next to the battery is configured and arranged to move along an x axis or a z axis to thereby leave space for operation of the profiling tools when a forming step is completed according to a work cycle.

2. The machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product, according to claim 1, wherein the means for feeding is configured and arranged for feeding each of said first and second injectors with fluids at different pressures.

3. A machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product using pressurized fluids and profiling tools comprising: means for feeding a pressurized liquid to the machine, a pusher configured and arranged for pushing the metal tubular product, a vise, a mold configured and arranged for determining a desired profile of the metal tubular product through a forming process, and at least a first injector and a second injector provided with at least one battery of profiling tools, wherein the first injector includes a first aperture for providing pressurized liquid received from the means for feeding to an interior of the tubular product and the second injector includes a second aperture for providing pressurized liquid received from the means for feeding to the interior of the tubular product, wherein the first injector is provided with two first radial channels and two first gaskets, wherein one of said first gaskets is seated within each of said first radial channels, and further wherein said first aperture is between said first radial channels, when considered along an axis of the first injector, and wherein the second injector is provided with two second radial channels and two second gaskets, where one of the second gaskets is seated within each of the second radial channels, and wherein the battery of profiling tools is placed next to at least one of the first and second injectors, and further wherein said at least one injector next to the battery is configured and arranged to move along an x axis or a z axis to thereby leave space for operation of the profiling tools when a forming step is completed according to a work cycle.

4. The machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product, according to claim 3, wherein the means for feeding is configured and arranged for feeding each of said first and second injectors with fluids at different pressures.

5. The machine for forming and profiling a metal tubular product according to claim 3, wherein said second aperture is between said second radial channels, when considered along an axis of the second injector.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a machine according to the present invention.

(2) FIGS. 2 and 2b show a partial cross-sectional representation of an injector with two gaskets.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a pipe formed by using an injector with two gaskets, the fluid being at one pressure level only.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional representation of a pipe formed by using an injector with two gaskets and profiled in one and the same work cycle.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of a pipe formed in non-continuous portions thereof in one and the same work cycle by using two injectors with two gaskets, the fluid being at different pressures.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a machine assembly (1) for forming and profiling a is metal tubular product, for instance a pipe, by means of pressurized fluids and profiling tools according to the present invention. Such FIG. 1 also shows a fluid-dynamics control unit (2) provided with means, not graphically shown, suitable for feeding a first injector (6) and a second injector (9), better illustrated below, with fluids at different pressures. A pusher (3) is also shown suitable for pushing the metal tubular product to be machined. A vise (4) is suitable for clamping the pipe and a female mold (5), not graphically shown, suitable for determining the desired form of the pipe through the forming process is present in the external portions of the pipe to be formed. FIG. 1 also shows a first injector (6) provided with two radial channels (6.sup.1 and 6.sup.2), not graphically shown. The figure also shows a second injector (9) in a position specular with respect to the first injector (6) provided with one radial channel (9.sup.1) and one gasket (8.sup.1), not graphically shown, or alternatively with two radial channels (9.sup.1 and 9.sup.2) and two gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2), not graphically shown.

(7) A battery (7) of profiling tools is located next to the first injector (6),

(8) FIG. 2 shows the first injector (6) with the two radial channels (6.sup.1 and 6.sup.2) and two retractable gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2), self-centering during the expansion step. Such gaskets are represented during the expansion step. FIG. 2b shows the second injector (9) with the two radial channels (9.sup.1 and 9.sup.2) and two retractable gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2), self-centering during the expansion step. Such gaskets are represented during the expansion step.

(9) FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a pipe formed in one and the same work cycle in continuous portions thereof by means of an injector (6) provided with two radial channels (6.sup.1 and 6.sup.2) and two gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2). Said injector (6) is fed with fluids at the same pressure level. Note that two conventional injectors should be used to get such machining if using known machines.

(10) FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional graphical representation of a pipe formed, by using a first injector (6) provided with two radial channels (6.sup.1 and 6.sup.2) and two gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2), and profiled in one and the same work cycle.

(11) FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of a pipe formed in one and the same work cycle in non-continuous portions of said pipe by using an injector (6) provided with two radial channels (6.sup.1 and 6.sup.2) and two gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2) and a second injector (9) provided with two radial channels (9.sup.1 and 9.sup.2) and two gaskets (8.sup.1 and 8.sup.2). Such injectors are fed with fluids at different pressures.