EP1901863A1

EP1901863A1 - Method and device for the integral moulding of a flange to the end of a round or oval pipe of thin-walled sheet metal and pipe produced by the method

Info

Publication number: EP1901863A1
Application number: EP06754624A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manfred Meinig
Original assignee: Metu Meinig AG
Current assignee: Metu Meinig AG
Priority date: 2005-07-08
Filing date: 2006-06-29
Publication date: 2008-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-29
Also published as: ES2319815T3; WO2007006424A1; DE102005032350A1; DE502006003109D1; US7908898B2; PT1901863E; PL1901863T3; EP1901863B1; DK1901863T3; US20080216539A1; ATE424946T1

Abstract

The invention proposes a method for the integral molding of a flange (5) onto the end of a round or oval pipe (11) of thin-walled sheet metal. This method takes place in two stages. In a first stage, for the purpose of accumulating material, a sectionally circular or spiral-shaped bead (17) is molded on by means of a pre-forming roller tool (9), comprising a combination of rollers (13 to 15) (Figure a). In a second stage, the molded-on bead is compacted with the aid of a final-forming roller tool (18), comprising the rollers (19) and (20), to produce an at least partly solid flange (5) (Figure b).

Description

Method and device for integrally molding a flange at the end of a round or oval tube made of thin-walled sheet metal and produced by the process tube

description

Tubes made of thin-walled sheet metal are usually composed of sections that are to be joined together. The type of connection significantly influences the cost-effectiveness of the production and assembly of the sections. This also applies to tubular devices or devices with tubular connections, which are frequently to be integrated into such pipelines, and to tubular devices composed of partial sections.

In the connection types, a distinction is made between plug-in connections, which are mainly used in smaller-diameter tubes composed of sections, and flange connections. Mostly these are

Flange made separate flanges, which are screwed, riveted, welded or fastened in the same manner at the end of the pipe.

Only to a lesser extent, the flanges are produced by forming the pipe end.

The simplest type of integrally formed flange is the standing board, which is created by the right-angled edge of the pipe end. In addition, curls are known, which are generated by the fact that the tube end is rolled into a roughly circular in cross-section bead. The connection of these formed as a shelf or rolling flanges clamping rings with U- or V-shaped cross-section, the inside diameter of which is adapted to the cross section of the adjacent flanges serve. These clamping rings must have a considerable rigidity, since neither the standing board nor the rolling stiffen the pipe sufficiently in the radial direction at the end. Greater radial rigidity is achieved with such flange flanges, which are formed by two, rectangular, upright edges of the pipe end. Such flanges are used - predominantly for device housings, in particular housings of centrifugal fans. These flanges are mainly connected with distributed over the circumference screws.

More recently, a method known from DE 100 47 310 A1 is known for molding a flange onto the end of a thin-walled tube, which is initially folded over by 150 ° and then by 90 °, so that a flange with a conical outer surface is produced. The adjoining flanges at the junction of two pieces of pipe can be connected to one another with a cross-sectionally V-shaped clamping ring.

Because of the greatly increased demands on tightness and smooth inner surfaces, especially in air ducts for the ventilation, air conditioning and extraction increasingly tubes with integrally molded flange are used. The disadvantage here, however, that the strength of the material forming the flange inevitably corresponds only to the pipe wall thickness, which is often insufficient for the required stability. To reinforce the flange is therefore z. B. DE 102 15 112 C1 has been proposed to postpone a reinforcing ring on the end of the flange serving pipe section, which doubles the wall thickness of the flange. Again, this reinforcement is often insufficient and still unsatisfactory.

The present invention is therefore based on the object, a method and an apparatus for integrally molding a flange at the end of a round or oval tube of thin-walled sheet specified in the preamble of claim 1 type, with which produces a much stronger and much more stable flange can be. According to the basic principle stated in claim 1, this object is achieved in that, in a first stage of material accumulation, the end of an axial section of the pipe is formed into a bead while simultaneously feeding a preforming roll tool, followed by a second step to produce a solid section Flange of the bead is compacted with a finished form roller tool.

With this method, which can be carried out with comparatively simple tools, solid or partially solid flanges can be produced with a substantially greater thickness than the wall thickness of the tube.

In the simplest case, according to claim 2, the preforming roller tool is advanced so far that an at least single-layer, substantially circular in cross-section bead is formed, which is deformed in the second process stage to a semi-solid flange.

If, as is proposed in claim 3, the preforming roller tool is advanced so far that an at least two-lobed, approximately spiral-shaped bead in cross-section can form in the second process stage, these are compacted into a substantially solid flange.

Continuing the advance of the preform roll tool after completion of the bead formation as set forth in claim 4, the wall of the bead is compressed, thereby producing a higher density flange upon subsequent finish forming.

Further details of the method are subject matter of claims 5 to 9.

According to this method, a round or oval tube made of thin-walled sheet metal can be produced with an integrally formed, at least partially solid flange which, as stated in claim 10, is dimensioned larger than the wall thickness of the tube and preferably has a rectangular, square, triangular or trapezoidal cross-section with rounded corners.

Thus, it is possible according to claim 11, for a pipe with a wall thickness in the order of 0.5 to 5 mm to produce a flange whose average measured in the axial direction of the tube thickness of two to ten times the thickness of the tube wall thickness corresponds.

To carry out the method, a device is proposed according to claim 12, which has a preforming roller tool for producing the bead, a finished form roller tool for producing the solid flange and a clamping device for the tube. The roller tools are in this case non-rotatable, but radially and axially displaceable and the motor risch driven clamping device for the tube rotatable, but arranged axially immovably on a frame.

In this device, the flanged tube is flipped while the roller tools are axially advanced with respect to the tube.

In another embodiment, the subject matter of claim 13, the roller tools are arranged together on a motor-driven, rotatably mounted turntable radially and axially displaceable, while the clamping device is provided for the pipe on the frame axially non-displaceable and non-rotatable.

In the manufacture of the flange with this device, therefore, the roller tools run with simultaneous axial feed to the locked tube.

The formation of the preform roll tool is specified in claim 14.

The finished form roller tool is the subject of claim 15.

Further structural details of the roller tools are given in claims 16, 17 and 18.

To clamp the tube, a clamping device is suitable, in which according to claim 19 or 20 radially displaceable clamping jaws rest on the inner tube wall frictionally.

In another embodiment according to claims 21 and 22 of the clamping serves an elastically deformable spring Disc whose clamping fingers can also be frictionally engaged with the inner wall of the tube in engagement.

Constructive measures, eg B. for actuating the Einspannvor- direction or the drive of the clamping device are characterized with the claims 23 to 25.

For clamping relatively thin-walled tubes is proposed with the claims 26 and 27, a retaining ring.

For further rationalization of production, a device for simultaneous molding of flanges at both pipe ends, as is characterized in detail with claim 28 is suitable.

The inventive device for the production of tubes made of sheet metal with integrally formed flanges according to the present invention is particularly suitable for fully automatic production. For this purpose, according to claim 29, a programmable circuit for controlling the drives, valves and the like aggregates according to predetermined manufacturing processes is necessary.

Details of the method and the device for one-piece molding of a flange at the end of a round or oval tube and the tubes produced by this method with molded flanges are explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings show

1 to Figure 4 are longitudinal sections of the pipe wall with integrally formed flange, FIGS. 5 to 12 show a longitudinal section of the preforming roller tool with the end of the tube to be provided with a flange in various stages of processing,

10a, 11a enlarged details of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 to FIG. 17 show a longitudinal section of the finished form roller tool with the end of a tube to be provided with a flange in various stages of processing,

FIG. 18 shows an axial section of a complete device for integrally molding a flange according to a first exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 19 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 18,

20 is a perspective view of an apparatus for integrally forming flanges at both ends of a pipe,

FIG. 21 shows an axial section of a complete device for integrally molding a flange according to a second exemplary embodiment, FIG. 22 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG

21

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a retaining ring,

FIG. 24 perspective view of a spring washer,

FIG. 25 perspective view of a clamping device inserted into the end of a tube with the elements according to FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show four different possibilities of solid flanges that can be produced according to the invention. As the figures show, flanges 5 to 8 are formed on the tube walls 1 to 4 of a tube, not shown in detail, which are partially solid or fully solid depending on the compression. These flanges can have almost any cross-sectional shapes. Flanges with a trapezoidal cross section 5, 6 or 8, or flanges with a rectangular cross section 7, which are particularly well suited for mounting with clamping rings, are preferred. The accumulation of material in the flange profile leads to an extremely high radial and axial flange stiffness.

The production of these flanges is carried out by forming the tube end 10 of the tube 11 in a two-stage process:

In the first stage, which is explained with reference to Figures 5 to 12, the end 10 of the tube 11 is first converted to a bead 17 by a special rolling process. In a second stage, which is explained with reference to Figures 13 to 17, this preformed bead is compacted in a special rolling process to the desired shape of the solid or semi-solid flange.

The preparation of the bead is the Vorformrollenwerkzeug 9, which consists of the axially parallel arranged rollers 13 and 15 and the standing with its axis 14b perpendicular to the axes 13c and 15d-henden role 14. The roller 13 is profiled so that it has at its upper end a substantially cylindrical portion 13a and at this then a likewise cylindrical portion 13b of smaller diameter.

The profile roller 15 has at its upper end also a cylindrical portion 15a and then a quarter-circle in cross-section annular groove 15b and then to this a cylindrical portion 15c of smaller diameter.

The third roller of the T-shaped roller combination 9 is arranged and dimensioned to engage in the space between the cylindrical portions 13b and 15c. This roller 14 has a semi-circular in cross-section annular groove 14a. As the drawing shows, form

Ring grooves 14a and 15b together with the cylindrical portion 13a has an approximately circular cross-sectional shape groove 16, wherein the diameters of the portions 13a and 15a are dimensioned so that between the rollers 13 and 15, a receiving gap 12 remains free, the inside diameter of the thickness of the pipe wall 1 corresponds. To produce the bead in the first stage of the process, the tube 11 is rotated relative to the preforming roller tool 9 or the preforming tool 9 with respect to the tube 11, the preforming roller tool 9 and the tube 11 in the axial direction A against the tube 11 and the Vorformrohrwerkzeug 9 is moved. In this case, the wall 1 immersed in the gap 12 between the rollers 13 and 15, until it meets the semicircular shaped groove 14a of the roller 14, as shown in Figure 6.

Upon further advancement of the preforming roller tool 9 or the tube 11, the outer edge 10 of the tube wall 1 is crimped by means of the annular groove 14a of the roller 14 to an approximately semicircular bead 17, as shown in Figure 7. Upon further advancement of the roller tool 9 in the direction A and the tube 11, the outer edge 10 of the tube 11 passes into the quarter-circle in cross-section annular groove 15b of the roller 15, whereby the edge 10 is finally formed into a circular cross-section bead. This process section is illustrated in FIG.

If the feed of the roller tool 9 in the direction of arrow A and the tube 11 - of course, further relative rotation between roller tool and tube 11 - continued, then arises from the initially approximately cross-sectionally circular bead 17 in cross-section approximately helical bead 17, such as these are Figures 9, 10 and 10a illustrate.

In itself, this bead is already suitable for the production of a semi-solid flange in the second stage of the process.

As far as a greater material tightness is to be achieved for a full-solid flange, is from the in the figures 10th or 10a illustrated position of the axial feed of the preform roll tool 9 in the direction of the arrow A and the tube 11 continue. Since, due to the now higher rolling resistance, no further curling occurs, the outer turns of the bead 17 due to the limitation in the mold groove 16, which prevents the material from swerving, compressed, so that the material thickness of the bead windings increases, as the figures 11 and IIa recognize.

The advance of the preforming roller tool 9 or of the tube 11 is terminated when sufficient material of the outer edge 10 of the tube end has been reshaped and compressed for the required rigidity of the flange.

After completion of the axial feed of Vorformrollenwerkzeuges 9 and the tube 1 and the relative rotation between Vorformrollenwerkzeug 9 and tube 11, the roller 15 is initially moved radially away from the pipe 11 in the direction of arrow B and locked to complete this first process stage. Subsequently, the rollers 13 and 14, together with the roller 15 against the feed direction and parallel to the axis of the tube 11 in the starting position, ie in the direction of arrow C, withdraw, where they remain until the next tube processing.

Only at the next processing, the roller 15 is again retract radially against the direction of the arrow B, lock and axially advance together with the rollers 13 and 14 against the direction of the arrow C.

For the production of the bead in pipes consisting of sheet steel with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, a speed for the axial feed of the preforming roller Tool 9 and the tube 11 in the order of 0.1 to 2 mm per RohrUmdrehung proved advantageous.

The second process stage for the completion of the partially or fully solid flange is explained with reference to FIGS 13 to 17.

The finished form roller tool 18 consists of two profile rollers 19 and 20, which are relative to each other and with respect to the wall 1 of the tube 11 angularly movable from the position shown in Figure 13 that they eventually occupy the end position shown in Figure 16.

The rollers 19 and 20 have in cross section approximately V-shaped annular grooves, which are bounded by the angularly mutually standing annular surfaces 19a and 19b and 20a and 20b.

These annular surfaces are arranged and dimensioned so that they form in the end position of the forming rollers 19 and 20, as can be seen from Figure 16, a desired cross-section of the flange 5 space and a necessary receiving gap 21 for the pipe wall 1.

In the process stage for the completion of the flange, the rollers 19 and 20 are moved together from their position shown in FIG. 13 initially parallel to the tube axis in the direction of the arrow D onto the bead 17 of the tube 11 until the roller 19 with its annular surface 19b the lower edge of the bead 17 touches, as shown in Figure 14. Then the roller 20 obliquely in the direction of the arrow E, ie against the tube wall 1 and the bead 17, moves until it, as Figure 15 shows, with its annular surface 20c, the wall 1 and with its annular surface 20b, the top of the bead 17 touches , The latter is deformed to form the inner inclined surface of the flange. In this position, the roller 20 is locked. The further formation of the flange by means of the forming roller 19, which is now moved from the position shown in Figure 15 obliquely in the direction of the arrow F against the locked roller 20 until it touches the inside of the pipe wall with its annular surface 19 a and the bead by means of Ring surface 19b has compressed to the flange 5 shown in Figure 16.

Depending on the dimensioning of the annular surfaces 19a and 19b or 20a and 20b, flanges of different profile and different dimensions can be produced.

After completion of the flange 5, the rollers are withdrawn from their position shown in Figure 16, first in the direction of the arrows G and H, as indicated in Figure 17.

The rollers 19 and 20 of the finished form roller tool 18 can now together against the feed direction parallel to

Tube axis in the direction of arrow I are retracted to the starting position. They are ready for a new manufacturing process.

For the feed directions E and F, an angle of about 45 ° has proved to be advantageous. Also practicable are angles in a range of 45 ° ± 30 °. At angles outside this range, however, the material deformation is deficient.

As in the first stage of the process, the rollers are not driven in the second stage of the process, but they are free to move around. They must be mounted both radially and axially highly resilient. Tapered roller bearings are particularly suitable for this purpose.

The speed for axial feed of the finished form roller tool 18 or the tube 11 is advantageously in the order of 0.1 to 2 mm per revolution of the tube or of the tool 18.

The dimensions of the roles of Vorformrollenwerkzeuges and the roles of Fertigformrollenwerkzeuges and the axial feed during the preforming process must be coordinated so that partially or fully solid flanges with rounded edges arise.

If these ratios are not correct, either sharp-edged or even burred or hollow flanges are created.

In principle, with correct dimensioning of the tools, virtually any flange cross-section can be produced independently of the pipe wall thickness, with wall thicknesses preferably being on the order of 0.5 to 5 mm. Thus, the method can also be used for the production of flanges in pipe-like devices and apparatus.

A first embodiment of a complete device for molding a flange to a pipe 11 is illustrated by FIGS. 18 and 19. In this device, the explained with reference to Figures 5 to 17 in detail roller tools 9 and 18 are mounted on tool slides 24 and 25 radially displaceable on the base plate 23 of a frame 37. The radial adjustment serve adjusting spindles 32. The rollers 13 to 15 of the preforming roller tool 19 and the rollers 19 and 20 of the finished form roller tool 18 are mounted on the respective slide 24 and 25 by means not shown feed devices axially and radially displaceable in the manner explained in Figures 5 to 17 manner.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 18, for the purpose of producing the flange, the tube 11 is set in rotary motion relative to the frame 37, while the slides 24, 25 carrying the roller tools 9 and 18 are stationary. The slides 24 and 25, which are radially displaceable with the adjusting spindles 32 or optionally with pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, are connected to the base plate 23 of the frame 37 via sufficiently stable and accurate guide rails 36. The free-running rollers 13 to 15 of the preforming roller tool 9 and 19 and 20 of the finished form roller tool 18 are in on the

Carriage 24 and 25 constructed blocks and movable with guides, not shown, in the manner explained with reference to FIGS 5 to 17 way. The drive is not shown in the blocks integrated hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or threaded spindles with gear or servo motors.

The clamping of the tube 11 is a generally designated 31 clamping plate, which consists of a base plate 33 with radially radially displaceable on this radially arranged clamping segments 34, which can be seen in more detail in the plan view of FIG 19. The base plate 33 is supported by a central hollow shaft 26, which is mounted in the attached to the underside of the base plate 23 bearing block 27. Tapered roller bearings 27a of this bearing block 27 absorb the very high radial and axial loads.

The operation of the clamping plate 31 is a hollow shaft 26 passing through pull rod 29, at whose upper end in a shape a tapered multiple edge 35 formed clamping cone is attached, which bears against the inner jaw ends 34 a of the clamping jaws 34. Upon axial movement of the pull rod 29 down by means of a double-acting cylinder 30, therefore, the clamping jaw segments 34 are moved radially outwardly and fit non-positively against the inner wall of the pipe 11 to be clamped. To release the tube 11, the pull rod 29 is to be advanced by means of the cylinder 30 in the opposite direction. Retraction springs, which are not shown in the clamping jaw segments 34, ensure the return of the clamping jaw segments 34, so that the tube 11 is released again.

The rotary drive of the clamping device is a arranged in the frame 37 drive motor 28, the pinion 28a with a mounted on the inner end of the hollow shaft 26 gear 28b is engaged.

Instead of gear drives also chain or belt drives are suitable.

By means of the device according to FIGS. 18 and 19, the production sequence is as follows.

Before the start of production, the preforming and finished roll forming tools 9 and 18 are to be adjusted by means of the slides 24 and 25 according to the diameter of the pipe piece 11 to be provided with a flange and to move into the basic positions explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 17.

The tube 11 is pushed over the clamping disk 31 in such a way that the axial partial section IIa required for machining projects beyond the lower edge of the clamping disk 31. In this position, the pipe is removed by spreading the clamping jaws Clamped segments 34 and then offset by means of the drive motor 28 in rotation at a speed between 20 and 300 rev / min.

By means of the preforming roller tool 9, the bead is formed as explained above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. This is followed by the second processing stage, namely the production of partially or fully solid flange by means of the finished form roller tool 18 without interrupting the rotation of the tube 11 at. This process is described above with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. After completion of the flange and the finished form roller tool 18 is moved back to the basic position. The rotation is stopped. After loosening the clamping disk 31, the tube 11 can be removed with a molded flange according to Figure 1 to 4 of the device.

Not shown in the drawing are drive elements, valves and the like aggregates for the programmed control of the entire device, which allow a fully automatic production process according to predetermined data. These units and the controller are housed in the preferably clad with a sheet metal housing frame 37.

The device according to FIGS. 18 and 19 is suitable only for forming a flange at one end of a pipe 11.

For economic reasons, especially in straight pipe sections, it may be advantageous to simultaneously form flanges at both ends of the pipe section.

This purpose is served by the device shown in FIG. 20, in which two molding units 38, the construction of which corresponds to the device according to FIGS. 18 and 19, in a tubular frame 39 are horizontally arranged so that their clamping discs 31 are opposite to each other.

At least one of the two molding units 38 is displaceable horizontally in the direction of the double arrow K in support rails 41 by means of driven threaded spindles 40. Thus, the distance of the two Anformeinheiten 38 can be adjusted according to the tube length, wherein for inserting and removing the tube 11 at least one Anformeinheit 38 is to move axially.

Another variant for producing a flange to be formed integrally on the tube, which is referred to as an Anformeinheit 42 is illustrated with the figures 21 and 22.

In this embodiment, which is particularly suitable for machining non-rectilinear pipe sections, the tube is stationary during processing, while the roller tools 9 and 18 are mounted on a driven by the geared motor 45 and rotating about the axis of the tube 11 turntable 43.

The device for clamping the tube 11 is constructed in the same manner as that provided in the apparatus according to FIGS. 18 and 19. Again, the determination of the tube 11 is a clamping plate 31 with clamping jaw segments 34, which are radially displaceable by means of a multiple edge 35, the pull rod 29 and the cylinder 30. The base plate 33 carrying the clamping jaw segments 34 is attached to the upper end of the hollow shaft 26 penetrated by the pull rod 29. The hollow shaft 26 is connected differently to the device according to FIGS. 18 and 19 fixed to the base plate 23 of the frame 37. The turntable 43 is rotatable about the hollow shaft 26. On its underside it is equipped with a toothed turning ring 44, which is in gear connection with the pinion gear 45 a of the geared motor 45.

On the turntable 43 with adjustable spindles 32 radially slidable carriage 24 and 25 are arranged with the roller tools 9 and 18, the structure and construction of which correspond to those of Figure 18 and 19.

The Anformeinheit 42 shown in Figures 21 and 22 is particularly suitable for molding the flange of fittings or bulky pipes, as they do not need to be rotated during the Anflanschvorgang.

When one-sided molding of a flange with the devices of Figures 18 and 19 or 21 and 22, it depends on a very stable clamping of the tube 11 by means of the clamping plate 31, since the tube 11 not only to clamp radially but against the action of the axially movable Roller tools 9 and 18 is to be noted. Otherwise, a complete and error-free shaping of the flanges is not possible. With simultaneous molding of the flange at both pipe ends of the device according to Figure 20, the clamping is less critical, since the axially acting forces exerted by the roller tools cancel each other.

Particularly critical is the clamping of relatively thin-walled tubes in one-sided Flanschanformung, since the inserted into the tube clamping plate 31 with its clamping jaw segments

34 at higher pressure of the jaw segments can deform the tube radially. However, a reduction of the pressure acting in the radial direction is limited, since the tube at Machining must be determined by the friction force against rotation.

For the one-sided molding of flanges on thin-walled tubes therefore a modified clamping device illustrated with the figures 23 to 25 is proposed.

In order to prevent pipe expansion under the effect of the clamping disk, that is to say for producing a counterhold, a counter-holding ring 46 is provided, which is to be mounted at the level of the clamping disk on the outside of the pipe 11. For this purpose, the retaining ring 46 is formed in two parts. Its two parts 46a and 46b can be connected to one another after being pushed onto the tube 11, for example by means of screwing on 47. Instead of a second screw connection, an articulated connection of the sections 46a and 46b may also be provided, for example by means of a hinge or the like.

In this embodiment, a clamping spring designed in the manner of a plate spring, conical spring washer 48 is provided, which is divided by means of radial slits 49 in radially from the central bore 51 radially extending clamping fingers 50. This spring washer 48 is seated on a counter-holding plate 53 to be inserted into the pipe interior, which is fastened to the upper end of the hollow shaft 26. The actuation of the spring washer 48 in turn serves a hollow shaft 26 and the counter-holding plate 53 axially traversing tie rod 29, the top end of which passes through the central bore 51 of the spring washer 48 and connected thereto by means of a nut 54.

If tension is exerted on the drawbar 29 by means of a cylinder, not shown, the clamping fingers 50 are spread and fit non-positively against the inner wall of the tube 11, whereby they claw in a corresponding train in the tube wall. This is possible because the retaining ring 46 prevents the radial deflection of the pipe wall and thus determines the tube 11. The spring washer 48 allows a multiplication of the tensile force applied via the drawbar 29, wherein the spreading force of the spring washer 48 is greater, the flatter the cone angle of the spring washer 48 is.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 pipe wall

Ia inner wall surface Ib outer wall surface

2, 3, 4 pipe wall 5, 6, 7, 8 flange

9 preform roll tool

10 outer edge or edge of the pipe end 11 pipe

IIa axial section

IIb tube axis

12 receiving gap between the rollers 13 and 15th

13 roller of the preform roller tool 9 13a cylindrical section

13b cylindrical section

13c axis

14 Roller of the preforming roller tool 9 14a annular groove 14b axis

15 roller of the preform roller tool 9 15a cylindrical section

15b ring groove

15c cylindrical section 15d axis

16 shape groove

17 bead

18 finished form rolling tool

19 Form roller 19a, 19b ring surfaces

20 form roller

20a, 20b,

20c ring surfaces 21 receiving gap

22

23 base plate

24 tool slides

25 tool slides

26 hollow shaft

27 storage block

27a tapered rollers

28 drive motor

28a, 28b gears

29 drawbar

30 double-acting cylinders

31 clamping disc

32 adjustment spindles

33 base disk

34 clamping jaw segments

34a inner jaw ends

35 conical multi-edge, clamping cone

36 guide rails

37 frame

38 forming unit

39 tubular frame

40 threaded spindles

41 mounting rails

42 forming unit

43 turntable

44 gear ring

45 geared motor

45a gear

46 retaining ring

46a, 46b parts of the retaining ring 46

47 screw connection

48 spring washer 49 slit

50 clamping fingers

51 bore

52 spring washer

53 Gegenhai teplatte

54 mother

A to K arrows to indicate directions of movement

Claims

claims

1. A method for integrally molding a flange at the end of a round or oval tube of thin-walled sheet, in which the tube is clamped near its end so that it protrudes with an axial portion of the clamping, wherein the axial portion by means of a associated therewith roller tool When the tube or the roller tool is turned into a flange projecting outward from the tube, the end of the axial section (IIa) of the tube (11) is compressed in a first process step for material accumulation with simultaneous axial advance of a preforming roller tool (9th ) is formed into a bead (17), which is compacted in a second process stage for producing an at least partially solid flange (5, 6, 7 or 8) with a finished form roller tool (18).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) is advanced so far that an at least single-ply, substantially circular cross-section bead (17) is formed, which is deformed in the second process stage to a semi-solid flange.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) is advanced so far that an at least two-layered, in cross-section approximately spiral-shaped bead (17) is formed, which in the second Process stage is compressed to a substantially solid flange (5, 6, 7 and 8).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a pre-forming roller tool is further advanced even after completion of bead formation for material compression.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the axial feed rate of the preforming roller tool (9) is of the order of 0.2 to 2 mm per revolution of the tube or of the preforming roller tool.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein a tube (11) is rotated relative to the fixed tube (11) relative to the fixed preform roller tool (9) or the preform roller tool (9).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of rollers (13-15) of the preforming roller tool (9) are free-running and non-driven.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that for the completion of the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) in the second process stage, two mutually associated, intermeshing forming rollers (19, 20), which in its end position a the limit desired gap profile (5, 6, 7 or 8) corresponding to the rotation of the tube (11) or the finished form roller tool (18) are advanced against the bead (17), wherein the non-driven forming rollers (19, 20) rotate freely.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the forming rollers (19, 20) at an angle of about 45 ° to the tube wall (1) are advanced against each other, wherein the feed rate of the forming rollers (19, 20) of the order of 0 , 1 to 2 mm per revolution of the tube or the finishing roll tool (18).

10. Pipe made of thin-walled sheet metal with integrally formed flange, produced by the method according to one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) relative to the wall (1, 2, 3 and 4) of the tube (11) is dimensioned larger and at least partially solid and preferably has an approximately rectangular, square, triangular or trapezoidal cross section with rounded corners.

11. Pipe according to claim 10, characterized in that the wall (1, 2, 3 or 4) of the tube (11) has a thickness in the order of 0.5 to 5 mm and the average in the axial direction of the tube (11) measured thickness of the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) of 2 to 10 times the thickness of the pipe wall (1, 2, 3 or 4).

12. An apparatus for producing a round or oval tube made of sheet metal with integrally molded flange according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) for producing the bead (17) and the finished form roller tool (18) for producing the solid flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) non-rotatably, but radially and axially displaceable and a motor-driven clamping device (26 -31, 33-35) for the tube (11) rotatably, but axially immovably on a frame (37) are arranged (Figure 18).

13. An apparatus for producing a round or oval tube made of sheet metal with integrally molded flange according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) for producing the bead (17) and the finished form roller tool (18) for producing the solid flange (5, 6, 7 or 8) on a motor-driven, on the frame (37) rotatably mounted turntable (43) are arranged radially and axially displaceable, while a non-rotatable and axially not displaceable jig (26, 29-31 , 33-35) for the tube (11) on the frame (37) is provided (Figure 21).

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) for producing the bead (17) of three T-shaped mutually arranged, intermeshing, mutually displaceable form rollers (13, 14, 15), of which the first roller (13) with a cylindrical portion (13a) on the inner wall surface (Ia) of the tube (11) can be applied, the second roller (15) in the upper part of an outer wall surface (Ib) of the tube (11) can be applied cylindrical section (15a) and, subsequent to this, a quarter-circle in cross-section shaped annular groove (15b) and the third roller (14) has a cross-sectionally approximately semicircular annular groove (14a), wherein the rollers (13, 14, 15) are arranged and dimensioned such that the axes (13c, 15d) of the ers and the second roller (13, 15) parallel and the axis (14b) of the third roller (14) perpendicular to the tube wall (1) and in the end position to form a cross-sectionally approximately circular receiving space in the direction of the tube wall ( 1) has a receiving gap (12) with one of the wall thickness of the tube (11) corresponding width, abut each other.

15 Device according to one of claims 12-14 characterized in that the finished form roller tool for completion of the solid flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) of two mutually and obliquely against the pipe wall (1) advanceable, intermeshing form rollers (19, 20) with a cross-sectionally approximately V-shaped annular groove (19a, 19b; 20a, 20b) which are dimensioned and arranged such that they form a receiving space corresponding to the profile of the flange (5, 6, 7 or 8) in their end position, in the direction of the pipe wall (1) has a receiving gap (21) with a wall thickness of the pipe (11) corresponding width.

16. Device according to one of claims 12-15, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) for forming the bead (17) and the finished form roller tool (18) for completing the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) each on a transverse to

Pipe axis (lld) in guide rails (36) movable tool slide (24, 25) are arranged.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the tool carriages (24, 25) can be adjusted by electric motor, pneumatically or hydraulically with the aid of adjusting spindles (32), toothed rack drives or push rods.

18. Device according to one of claims 12-17, characterized in that the preforming roller tool (9) for forming the bead (17) and the finished form roller tool (18) for completing the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) respectively on its carriage in the direction of the pipe wall (1) are arranged displaceable motor, pneumatic or hydraulic.

19. Device according to one of claims 12-18, characterized in that the clamping device for the tube (11) consists of a central hollow shaft (26) which at its in the tube (11) projecting end a clamping disc (31), which radially displaceable against the tube wall jaws carrying, by means of a between the inner clamping jaw ends (34a) located clamping cone (35) which is provided at the end of a hollow shaft (26) passing through pull rod (29) can be advanced.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the clamping jaws (34) are formed circular segment-shaped and at their mutually facing inner ends (34 a) have inclined surfaces which bear against the formed as a multi-edge clamping cone (35) under the action of a prestressed return spring.

21. Device according to one of claims 12-18, characterized in that the clamping device for the tube (11) consists of an elastically deformable spring washer (48) with a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the tube (11), which on a with a counter-holding plate (53) connected to a central hollow shaft (26) rests and whose center is connected to a pull rod (29) passing through the hollow shaft (26).

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the spring disc (48) is of conical shape in the manner of a disc spring and is subdivided into radial clamping fingers (50) by slits (49).

23. Device according to one of claims 19-22, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (30) is connected to the end of the drawbar (29) opposite the clamping cone (35) or spring washer (48).

24. Device according to one of claims 19-23 with claim 12, characterized in that with the clamping disc (33) or the spring washer (48) opposite end of the shaft (26) has a drive motor (28) via a gear (28 a, 28b, 28c), sprocket or toothed belt transmission is connected, wherein the hollow shaft (26) is preferably mounted with tapered rollers (27a).

25. Device according to one of claims 19-23 with Anspruchl3, characterized in that the hollow shaft (26) is rotatably connected to the frame (37), while the turntable (43) with the roller tools (9, 18) for producing the bead and completion of the flange (5, 6, 7 and 8) around the hollow shaft (26) by means of a motor drive (45, 45a) is rotatable.

26. Device according to one of claims 19-25, in that a counter-holding ring (46) with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the tube is mountable on the outer side of the tube (11) at the level of the tensioning disc or spring washer (48).

27. Device according to claim 26, characterized in that the counter-holding ring (46) consists of two parts (46a, 46b) which can be screwed together and which after being wrapped around the tube (11) can be firmly connected to one another and to the tube (11).

28. A device for the simultaneous molding of flanges at both ends of a tube (11) according to any one of claims 12- 27, characterized in that in a preferably horizontally disposed frame (39) opposite each other and each pipe end associated Anformeinheiten (38), respectively consisting of a Vorformrol- lenwerkzeug for producing the bead, a finished form roller tool for completing the flange and a clamping device, are arranged and that at least one Anformeinheit (38) in the axial direction of the tube (11) is movable. (Fig. 20)

29. Device according to one of claims 12-28, e e c e n e c i n e t d u r c h a programmable circuit for controlling the drives, valves and the like. Aggregates according to given production processes.