METHOD FOR SHAPING TUBES AND EQUIPMENT FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD

Abstract

A method for shaping tubes and to equipment is provided that includes positioning the section of tube (2) to be curved such that it is pressed between two half-moulds (3, 4) having respective curved surfaces (5, 5) complementary to the shape to be obtained; applying heat in order to melt the material and soften and deform same until it takes on the new shape, by applying ultrasound waves at the same time as the insertion of the tube between the half-moulds (3, 4), by means of at least one sonotrode (7) connected to an ultrasound generator (8) which heats the curved surface (5) of the first half-mould (3), combining values of frequency and time according to the type of plastic material, the diameter of the tube (2) and the thickness of the walls of same; and cooling the material once the deformation time has elapsed.

Claims

1. A method for tube shaping, namely for shaping tubes of plastic material and its derivatives comprising: placing a length of tube (2) to be curved pressed between two half moulds (3, 4) with respective curved surfaces (5, 5) complementary to a shape to be achieved, applying heat to fuse the plastic material to soften and deform it until it takes a new shape, cooling the plastic material after the deformation time is complete, is characterized in that applying heat to fuse the plastic material and soften and deform it until it takes the new shape, occurs based on applying ultrasonic waves simultaneously to the incorporation of the tube between the half moulds (3, 4), conjugating values of frequency and time depending on the type of plastic material, diameter of the tube (2) and thickness of its walls.

2. The method for tube shaping according to the claim 1, characterized in that applying ultrasonic waves is carried out by at least a sonotrode (7) that, connected to a generator of ultrasounds (8) heats at least the curved surface (5) of a first half mould (3).

3. Equipment to implement a method for tube shaping as disclosed in the claim 2, characterized on that it comprises two half moulds (3,4) in which respective curved surfaces (5, 5) are contemplated complementary to the shape to be achieved, at least one first half mould (3) being provided with at least one head (6) with at least one sonotrode (7) connected to a device generating ultrasounds (8) and the said sonotrode (7) being arranged so that the vibration caused by the ultrasounds produces heat on the curved surface (5) of the said first half mould (3).

4. Equipment according to the claim 3, characterized in that it comprises several sonotrodes (7) connected to the generator of ultrasounds (8) through heads (6) that heat the curve (5) of the first half mould (3) in which they are incorporated.

5. Equipment according to the claim 3, characterized in that the second half mould (4) also incorporates one or more sonotrodes (7), coupled to heads (6) and connected to the generator of ultrasounds (8), arranged so that they provide heat to a curved surface (5) of this second half mould (4).

6. Equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that the generator of ultrasounds (8) is a generator of a portable type, preferably with a power of around 1500 W and a frequency of up to 20 HZ.

7. Equipment according to the claim 4, characterized in that the second half mould (4) also incorporates one or more sonotrodes (7), coupled to heads (6) and connected to the generator of ultrasounds (8), arranged so that they provide heat to a curved surface (5) of this second half mould (4).

8. Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the generator of ultrasounds (8) is a generator of a portable type, preferably with a power of around 1500 W and a frequency of up to 20 HZ.

9. Equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that the generator of ultrasounds (8) is a generator of a portable type, preferably with a power of around 1500 W and a frequency of up to 20 HZ.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To complement the description being done and in order to assist to best understanding the characteristics of the invention, is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, a drawing in which for illustration and not limitation purpose the following has been shown:

[0018] FIG. 1.Its shows an elevation view of a schematic representation of an example of embodiment of the equipment for tube shaping by the method object of the invention, and the main parts and elements thereof can be seen it comprises as well as its configuration and arrangement; and

[0019] FIG. 2.It shows a cross section, according to the section A-A stated in FIG. 1, showing the configuration of the half mould incorporating the sonotrode, the device generating the ultrasounds having been represented in this case.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Considering the disclosed in FIG. 1, and in accordance with the numbering chosen, a no limiting example of the equipment of the invention can be seen, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and disclosed in detail below.

[0021] Thus, as it can be seen in the said FIG. 1, the equipment (1) involved, applicable for shaping tubes (2) of plastic material or its derivatives, and provide them with curved shapes out of a straight length, by applying ultrasounds, is configured from at least, two half moulds (3,4) in which respective curved surfaces (5, 5) complementary to the shapes to be obtained are contemplated, at least one being a first half mould (3) provided with at least one head (6) with at least one sonotrode (7) connected to a device generating ultrasounds (8) and the said sonotrode (7) being arranged so that the vibration caused by the ultrasounds produces heat on the curved surface (5) of the said first half mould (3) to act on the tube (2) sufficiently heating its surface so that it is deformed and takes the curved shape of the curved surfaces (5, 5) between which it is arranged.

[0022] Preferably, the equipment (1) contemplates the incorporation of several sonotrodes (7) connected to the generator of ultrasounds (8) through related heads (6) so that they heat the curved surface (5) of the first half mould (3).

[0023] Optionally, one or more sonotrodes (7) are also incorporated to the second half mould (4) coupled to heads (6) and connected to the generator of ultrasounds (8) and also arranged so that they can provide heat to the curved surface (5) of this second half mould (4), although this option has not been represented in the figure for simplification purpose.

[0024] In addition, different pairs of half moulds (3, 4) can be provided to achieve different curves that can be implemented in the tube (2) and/or in the curved surfaces (5, 5) complementary to the at least two half moulds (3, 4). Obviously, the slope curves and the radii will be different depending on the shape it is wished to achieve.

[0025] Anyway, the generator of ultrasounds (8), preferably, is a generator of the portable type, preferably with a power of around 1500 W and a frequency of up to 20 HZ, although that will depend on the requirements in each case and, among others conventional elements provided, also preferably, of Ethernet connection with a PC allowing programming and adjusting parameters to be applied and save the applied.

[0026] On its hand, the head (6) that is connected to the generator has a transducer, an amplifier and a quick adjustment support to fix the sonotrode (7), elements that have not been detailed in the figure as they are well-known.

[0027] With all this, the method for tube shaping of the invention, comprises, same as in other already known systems, placing the length of the tube (2) to be curved pressed between two half moulds (3, 4) with respective curved surfaces (5, 5) complementary to the shape to be achieved; applying heat to fusing the material to soften and deform it until it takers the new shape; and cooling the material after the time of deformation is complete, with the significant difference that the step of applying heat to achieve fusing the material and constituting the most important step of the full process, occurs by applying ultrasonic waves simultaneously to the incorporation of the tube between the half moulds (3, 4), which are applied conjugating, in each case, values of frequency and time according to the type of plastic material, the diameter of the tube (2) and the thickness of its walls.

[0028] The nature of this invention being sufficiently disclosed, as well as the way of its implementation, it is not deemed necessary to extend any longer its explanation in order than any person skilled in the art understands its extent and the advantages arising from it, and it is pointed out that, within its essence, it can be implemented in other embodiments different in details from the one indicated for example purpose and to which shall also extend the protection that is sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.