Abstract
A machine for bending a thread-like material such as a pipe equipped with a laser or plasma cutting device aboard the machine and guide means for making said cutting device slide.
Claims
1. A machine for bending a thread-like material such as a pipe comprising: a fixed support frame; a carriage for handling and driving into rotation the pipe (T) to be machined; a bending head, comprising sliding guide means for at least a first, either laser or plasma, cutting device.
2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide means are placed above the fixed support frame.
3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide means consists of at least one rail.
4. A machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide means comprise at least a second handling device associated with the first cutting device and suitable for making the first cutting device vertically get closer to or move away from the portion of the pipe (T) to be machined.
5. A machine according to claim 4, wherein the second handling device is suitable for moving the first cutting device horizontally.
6. A machine according to claim 4, wherein the second handling device is suitable for moving the first cutting device either in a circular direction or up-and-over.
7. A machine according to claim 2, wherein the second handling device is equipped with a third suction device for sucking the small-size swarf resulting from cutting the pipe (T) to be machined.
8. A machine according to claim 6, wherein the third small-size swarf suction device is equipped with blocking means for blocking the third suction device, should the swarf size exceed the longitudinal cross-section of the third suction device.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIGS. 1 thru 4 show a machine according to the present invention in a three-dimensional way.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a machine according to the present invention equipped with a fixed support frame (1) on which a pipe (T) handling carriage (2) slides on a plane of the fixed support frame. Such handing carriage positions the pipe (T) to be machined onto the bending head (3), but it is also suitable for bringing the bent pipe (T) back onto the sliding plane (6) of said carriage (2). Such handling carriage (2) is also suitable for making the pipe rotate upon itself before, while, and after being bent. Such characteristics of the pipe handling carriage (2) make it possible to start drilling the pipe both before and after its bending by using a first cutting device (5). Such device is either a laser or plasma device. Said device slides along guide means (4) placed above the fixed support frame (1) and in particular above the sliding plane (6) of the pipe (T) handling carriage (2). Said guide means (4) of the first cutting device (5) consist of at least one rail and said rail is preferably parallel to the plane (6) on which the mentioned handling carriage (2) slides. The guide means (4) are also equipped with a second handling device (6) which is associated with the first cutting device (5). Said second handling device (7) is suitable for making the first cutting device (5) get closer or move away vertically, as well as for moving said cutting device (5) horizontally. In a preferred embodiment, the second handling device (7) is also suitable for moving the first cutting device (5) circularly of up-and-over. Said second handling device (7) is connected to a programmable control unit in order to move the first cutting device (5) according to a machining program set up by the machine manufacturer or by the user. Cutting the pipe (T) unavoidably produces a swarf. Such swarf shall be removed from the perforated pipe (T) and for this activity the machine according to the present invention is equipped with a third suction device (8) for sucking said swarf, not shown in the figures. Said third suction device (8) is connected either to guide means (4) or to the second handling device (7) which moves the first cutting device (5). In the embodiment wherein the third suction device (8) is connected to the guide means (4), said third suction device (8) is equipped with a fourth handling device, not shown in the figures, which moves the third suction device (8) along the guide means (4) where the first cutting device (5) slides. If the dimensions of the swarf are too large for the third swarf suction device (8), said device is equipped with blocking means (9), not shown in the figures, to block the third suction device (8). Such blocking means (9) might be properly programed sensors. The machine according to the present invention is also equipped with sensors, not shown in the figures, located alternatively or jointly on the sliding plane (6) of the pipe (T) handling carriage (2) and/or on the guide means (4). Such sensors connected to a programmable control unit are connected to the pipe (T) handling carriage (2) to position it according to an appropriate machining program in order to start accurately drilling the pipe (T) according to the provisions of said machining program.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a machine according to the present invention, the pipe (T) handling carriage (2) bringing onto the sliding plane (6) of said carriage (2) the pipe (T) already bent and ready for being drilled by using the first cutting device (5).
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a machine according to the present invention, the pipe (T) handling carriage (2) bringing the bent and drilled pipe (T) beyond the bending head (3) for being cut by using the cutting device (5).
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a machine according to the present invention, the pipe (T) handling carriage (2) having brought the bent and drilled pipe (T) beyond the bending head (3), the cutting device (5) having cut said bent and drilled pipe (T), thus ending a machining cycle.
