Abstract:
An automatic swaging machine including a conveyor system for moving tubes into position for swaging a clamping apparatus to secure the tubes adjacent a swaging station to receive a swaging tool releasing a clamping apparatus during the swaging operation, reclamping the tools after swaging to remove the swaging tool from the ends of the tubes and moving the tubes with the conveyor system into a receiving receptacle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed generally to swaging and more particularly to a method and apparatus for automatically continuously moving a plurality of pipes or tubes along a conveyor, performing a swaging operation on the ends thereof and then moving the pipes or tubes into a collecting receptacle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known in the art that tubes or pipes (hereinafter tubes) constructed of metal are useful for a large variety of applications. In many instances, the ends of the tubes must be preformed for a particular application for which they are intended. Swaging operations to accomplish this preforming on the ends of tubes are well known. Typically, such swaging operations are accomplished manually, one piece at a time, by having a worker grip the tube and insert the end of it into a swaging tool, activate the swaging tool to accomplish the swaging and then upon release of the swaging tool from the end of the tube, the tube is manually extracted and deposited into a receptacle. 
         [0003]    One of the major problems encountered in such manual swaging operations is that the tubes themselves are seldom if ever straight. Almost always, they have a bend, bow or are otherwise crooked. It is extremely important that when a tube is to have the end thereof swaged, that the end be perfectly in alignment with the swaging tool to accomplish the desired swaging operation. The worker who is manually accomplishing the swaging must therefore use his senses to accurately align the end of the tube with the swaging tool. Such often becomes very difficult. 
         [0004]    During the performance of the swaging operation while the tool is in engagement with the end of the tube, the tube must be allowed to move longitudinally so that the swaging tool can function properly. In some instances, in the prior art, attempts have been made to use high speed forming or swaging of tubes. In such apparatus the tubes are firmly clamped in position during the entire performance of the swaging operations. Such continuous and firm clamping precludes longitudinal movement of the tube during the swaging operation, thus often resulting in a defective product. 
         [0005]    There is therefore a need for an apparatus which will automatically feed the tubes from a holding receptacle or bin onto a conveyor apparatus which then moves the tubes into position at a swaging station and after the swaging operation occurs, automatically moves the swaged tubes to a receptacle for the finished swaged product. Such apparatus must position the ends of the tubes or pipes so that they are perfectly aligned with the swaging tool, then allow the swaging tool to perform its operation after which the tool is retracted from the end of the tube and the tube is released and allowed to be moved by the conveyor apparatus to the desired receptacle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An automatic swaging machine for swaging the ends of tubes which includes a bin for receiving a supply of unswaged tubes, means for conveying tubes from said receiving bin to a swaging station having a swaging tool, means for gripping the tube for positioning of the swaging tool into engagement with the tube for swaging the end thereof, means for releasing the gripping means during execution of the swaging operation, means for regripping the tube subsequent to the execution of the swaging operation to permit disengagement of the swaging tool from the tube and means for disposition of the swaged tube into a collection bin. 
         [0007]    The invention also includes the method of providing a swaging tool, moving a tube to be swaged into position adjacent the swaging tool, gripping the tube to preclude longitudinal movement thereof, engaging the swaging tool with the tube, releasing the tube, swaging the tube, regripping the tube, disengaging the swaging tool from the tube, and moving the swaged tube away from the swaging tool. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an automatic swaging apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the clamping device used in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view thereof installed at the swaging station; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front view thereof installed at the swaging station; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top view thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the V blocks used for receiving and positioning a tube in alignment with the swaging tool, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the V block; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the clamping blocks which cooperate with the V blocks to clamp the tubes in position to accomplish the swaging operation by the swaging tool in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a clamping block. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present invention includes an automatic tube swaging machine which includes a tube feeding receptacle bin or hopper which contains a plurality of tubes, the ends of which are to be swaged in a manner to preform the tubes for use in particular applications for which they are intended. The tubes are fed from the bin onto a conveyor system which includes a plurality of upwardly extending members which move each of the tubes along the system until it reaches the swaging station. At least two tubes are swaged simultaneously at the swaging station. When the tubes reach the swaging station, they are caused to drop into a V shaped support which is aligned with the swaging tool thus causing the end of the tube to be perfectly aligned with the swaging tool. Once the tubes are in position in the V shaped support, a clamping mechanism is activated to hold the ends of the tubes in perfectly straight alignment with the swaging tool until such a time as the swaging tool engages the ends of the tubes. At this point, the clamps are released to allow the tubes to move slightly longitudinally during the swaging operation to ensure that the swaging operation is accurately performed. Once the swaging operation is completed, the clamping mechanism is again activated to hold the tubes in position while the swaging tool is retracted. Means is positioned adjacent the swaging tool, such as a photodetector, to determine when the housing for the swaging tool has been retracted and is cleared from the ends of the tubes that have been swaged. When this is accomplished, the clamping mechanism is deactivated and removed and the tubes are then moved by the conveyor system from the swaging station to a receiving receptacle for appropriate disposition and later use. 
         [0019]    Referring now more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the automatic swaging machine of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The machine includes a conveyor system  8  which moves generally in the direction of the arrow  9  to cause a plurality of tubes  10  through  20  to be moved upwardly toward the swaging station  26 . The tubes are initially dispensed within a receiving bin (not shown) where they are moved to a position as shown at  22  and held in place by an arm  24 . The arm  24  will move downwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 1  thus allowing the tube  22  to roll down the ramp  25  to a position such as shown by the tube  10 . The conveyor system  8  is comprised of a plurality of driven chains as shown at  30  through  40  ( FIG. 2 ). The driven chains  30  through  40  have disposed there-along at predetermined intervals a plurality of upwardly extending members or arms such as shown at  42  through  48  on the conveyor chain  38 . Such arms are also illustrated at  42 ′ through  48 ′ in  FIG. 1 . These arms are spaced apart by the distance between the two swaging machines located at the swaging station  26 . Although only the conveyor chain  38  is described as having the arms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that each of the chains is so equipped thus enabling each of the tubes to move in spaced relation along the conveyor system to the swaging station where they are appropriately swaged in the manner desired. When a proximity sensor determines that a tube is in position on the conveyor as shown at  10 , the conveyor is activated to move the tubes. The conveyor is controlled by an incremental encoder to move the tubes so that the two tubes just swaged are moved one at a time away from the swaging station and into the receiving line. At the same time two unswaged tubes are moved incrementally (one at a time) onto the V supports  60  and  62  and in position at the swaging station. Subsequent to the swaging, the arms then convey the swaged tubes away from the swaging station and onto the ramp mechanism  50  to be deposited into a receiving bin  52  or  54 . As will be evident to those skilled in the art, there is an interception arm  56  which when activated will cause the swaged tubes to be deposited into the receptacle  52  and when it is desired to have the tubes deposited into the receptacle  54 , the interception arm will be in a retracted position, thus allowing the swaged tubes to move completely along the ramp  50 - 56 - 58  into the receiving receptacle  54 . 
         [0020]    When the tubes reach the swaging station, the ends thereof adjacent the swaging station drop into a V support mechanism as shown at  60  and  62 . This mechanism causes the ends of the tubes to be appropriately aligned with the swaging tool to thus allow the swaging operation to properly occur. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the tubes  18  and  20  are in position in the V supports  60  and  62 . Once the tubes are in position on the V supports  60  and  62 , a clamping mechanism (to be described in more detail below) is activated to hold the tubes in position while the swaging tool is positioned over the ends of the tubes  18  and  20  to accomplish the automatic swaging operation. 
         [0021]    Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 3 , the tube clamping assembly  64  is schematically illustrated. As is therein shown, a pair of dual acting master cylinders  66  and  68  are mounted upon a support frame  70  which in turn is supported by a pair of vertical support arms  72  and  74  which are in turn supported on the swaging machine frame adjacent the swaging station. A pair of V support blocks  76  and  78  are affixed on the conveyor frame adjacent the swaging station as shown at  60  and  62  in  FIG. 1 . A pair of V blocks  80  and  82  are connected to the cylinders  66  and  68 , respectively by the piston rods  84  and  86 . When the tubes, such as  18  and  20  are in position on the V support blocks  76  and  78 , the cylinders  66  and  68  are activated to cause the V blocks to move downwardly and clamp the tube rigidly between the V blocks and the V support blocks  76  and  78  to allow the housing containing the swaging tools to move forward and surround the end of the tubes. 
         [0022]    By reference now more particularly to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , the arrangement of the clamping mechanism and the swaging station is illustrated schematically and in greater detail. As is therein shown, the support frame  70  for the master cylinders  66  and  68  is affixed to the frame  86  upon which the swaging station  26  is supported. The V support blocks  76  and  78  are affixed at their ends  88  and  90  respectively to the frame which supports the conveyor system as illustrated and described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the tubes are in place adjacent the swaging station and are resting in the V support blocks  76  and  78  the cylinders  66  and  68  are activated to propel the V blocks  80  and  82  downwardly to clamp the tubes in place. When such is done, a cylinder  92  is activated causing the swaging tool  94  to move to the right as viewed in  FIG. 4 . When the tool  94  moves to the right, it surrounds the ends of the tubes held in place by the clamping mechanism so that the ends of the tubes can be appropriately swaged according to the design for the application to which they are to be put. Before the swaging operation occurs the cylinders  66  and  68  are activated to retract the V clamping blocks  80  and  82 . This is necessary to allow the tubes to move longitudinally as is required during the swaging operation. 
         [0023]    When the swaging operation is completed, the cylinders  66  and  68  are again activated to propel the V clamping blocks  80  and  82  downwardly to again clamp the tubes in the V supports  76  and  78 . While so clamped the cylinder  92  is activated to move the swaging tool  94  to the left as viewed in  FIG. 4 . Once the swaging tool has cleared the ends of the tubes (now swaged) the cylinders  66  and  68  are activated to retract the V clamping blocks  80  and  82 . Thereafter, the swaged tubes are moved by the conveyor away from the swaging station and into the receiving bin. 
         [0024]    As is seen more clearly in  FIG. 5 , the swaging station  26  is disposed at an angle by being supported upon the platform  96 . The angle at which the swaging station  26  is disposed coincides with the angle at which the conveyor system moves the tubes as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the swaging tool  94  moves to the right as shown in  FIG. 4 , the openings as shown at  98  and  100  receive the ends of the tubes which are clamped between the supports  88  and  90  and the blocks  80  and  82  respectively. 
         [0025]    By reference now more particularly to  FIGS. 7 and 8  the V support blocks which position the tubes adjacent the swaging station as they traverse upwardly along the conveyor system are illustrated in greater detail. As is therein shown, the V support block is an F shaped member having a body  102  with arms  104  and  106  extending therefrom. The tail  108  of the body  102  is affixed to the conveyor system frame so as to be disposed at a position to cause the tubes to be properly disposed for being received within the openings in the two swaging tools. The tail  108  may be affixed to the frame by any means desired such as by fastening members, welding, clamps or the like. Each of the arms  104  and  106  are formed to define a V shaped opening  110  and  112  respectively by way of the cooperating slanting faces  114  and  118  and  116  and  120 . At the apex of each of the V shaped openings is a groove  122  and  124  which provides a clearance for the circumference of the tube to be received. It should be noted that the arm  106  is slightly shorter than the arm  104 . This difference is to permit the arms of the clamping block to be received within the spaces on each side of the arm  106  as shown at  126  and  128 . This can be more readily seen by reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]    By reference now more particularly to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the construction of the V blocks which clamp the tube onto the support blocks is illustrated in greater detail. As can be seen, the clamping V blocks include a pair of arms  130  and  132  which also define a V shaped opening generated by the opposed slopping surfaces  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  which move downwardly as above described and clamp the tube between those surfaces and the V shaped surfaces of the support member. As is also illustrated, there is a groove at  144  at the apex between the surfaces  134  and  136  and a groove  142  at the apex between the surfaces  138  and  140 . The grooves  142  and  144  are designed to receive the circumference of the tube which is being clamped into position. Threaded openings are defined at  146 ,  148 ,  150  and  152  in the arms  130  and  132 . The threaded openings  146  through  152  receive appropriate fastening members as shown at  154  in  FIG. 3  allowing the V clamping blocks to be affixed to the piston rod of the cylinders which move the clamping V blocks into position to clamp the tube to allow the movement of the swaging housing into position to accomplish the swaging and after the swaging to be removed from the end of the tube. 
         [0027]    In operation of the automatic swaging machine of the present invention the tubes as shown at  10  through  20  in  FIG. 1  are moved upwardly by the conveyor system and come into position adjacent the swaging station. As shown by the tubes  18  and  20 , the tubes fall into the V shaped openings  110  and  112  of the V support blocks to thus be positioned in the proper alignment so that the ends of the tubes can be received in the openings  98  and  100  of the swaging tool  94 . Before the swaging tool is moved into engagement with the tubes, the cylinders  66  and  68  are activated moving the clamping blocks downwardly to engage the upper surface of the tubes and to firmly clamp them in position. Such permits the swaging tool to move into a position surrounding the ends of the tubes. Once the swaging tool is in position the cylinders  66  and  68  are reactivated to retract the V clamping blocks. After the V clamping blocks are retracted the swaging tool then performs its swaging operating to preform the end of the tube in the desired manner. By having the clamping action retracted the tube is allowed to move longitudinally during the swaging operation so that the swaging operation may be properly performed. After the swaging operation is performed, the cylinders  66  and  68  are again activated moving the clamping blocks into engagement with the tubes to securely hold them between the clamping blocks and the V support blocks to allow the swaging tool housing to be retracted away from the end of the tubes. A sensing mechanism such as a photocell  152  and a source of light  154  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) is provided to sense that the swaging tool housing  94  has been properly retracted after which the swaged tubes are moved upwardly away from the swaging station and along the ramps  50 ,  56 ,  58  to be appropriately deposited in one of the receptacles  52  or  54  as above described. The photo cell  152  is a safety feature that prevents the conveyor from operating if the swaging housing is extended. The system is designed so that it operates continuously with the conveyor system moving two tubes into position for swaging, allow the swaging operation to occur as above described, moving the swaged tubes out of the swaging station area and then moving two additional tubes into position for swaging. 
         [0028]    There has thus been disclosed an automatic swaging machine which maintains a plurality of tubes in perfectly aligned position to receive a swaging tool while the tubes are firmly clamped in position and to allow the swaging operation to occur after which the swaged tubes are automatically moved into a receiving bin or receptacle.