JPH02269520A - Cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To cut a large diameter pipe without increasing the size and strength of a power train component part by drivingly connecting a power train separately from two power trains from a motor and making these powers transmitted to a ram in synchronous with each other. CONSTITUTION: A flywheel 36 is driven continuously by the rotation of an electric motor through a pulley 34 and a belt 42, a clutch is operated selectively and simultaneously so as to interconnect the flywheel 36 with a crankshaft 40, and a ram 24 is moved by an eccentric distance at each crank part 40C through a trajectory path of an accurate shape and dimensions. A spur gear 52 fixed to each crankshaft 40 is meshed with idle spur gears 54 and 57, the crankshaft 40 is rotated always at a constant speed irrespective of the slippage of a belt 42 and the clutch, a crank part 40C is rotated at an accurate phase, and a ram 22 is moved in lateral direction. With this constitution, a power transmitted from the motor to the ram 22 through two different power train routes is divided and, at the same time, the operations of the power train routes are made in synchronous with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a type of mill particularly suitable for use in conjunction with mills producing continuously elongated workpieces of constant cross-section, such as welded tubes. The present invention relates to a cutting machine, and more particularly to a cutting machine of the type that operates a cutting die set while moving laterally with the workpiece as the workpiece exits a tube mill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of cutting machines have been used in the past to rapidly and continuously cut material exiting a mill at a constant speed.

An example of such a cutting machine is U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,0
It is shown in No. 12. The cutting machine of that patent includes a ram supported on the machine frame by parallel rank shafts supported on the machine frame. A continuously running power source, such as an electric motor, supplies energy to a single flywheel, and the power is transferred from the flywheel through a clutch to an input shaft that drives a fixed pinion. The pinion has a parallel pinion and meshes with a pinion supported by a parallel rank shaft. The crankshaft includes a crank portion that engages the ram and is selectively actuated via a drive mechanism or clutch to move the ram through a trackway of constant dimensions determined by the eccentricity of the crankshaft. .

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Although this configuration has proven to be largely satisfactory, it is important to note that the drive train of the machine, in particular the clutch and gear This creates excessive stress on the teeth of the machine, resulting in increased maintenance requirements for the machine and increased downtime not only for the cutting machine itself, but also for the mill that makes the tubes cut by the machine. The excessive stresses encountered in cutting diameter tubes can be handled by considerably increasing the size and strength of the individual components of the drive train, but this solution results in an expensive, large and cumbersome machine. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved cutting machine particularly suited for use in cutting tubes exiting a tube mill.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to the provision of a cutting machine that is particularly suited to handle relatively large sized tubes or other elongated workpieces without increasing the size and complexity of the cutting machine. .

The cutting machine of the present invention is movable through a power stroke by means of a machine frame defining a processing area and at least two drive members engaged at spaced apart points;
a ram mounted on the frame adjacent to the processing area;
It is of the type that includes a motor means mounted on the frame and a drive means interconnecting the motor means and the drive member of the ram.

According to the invention, the drive means interconnecting the motor means and the drive member of the ram is separate from the power train, with means for directing power from the motor means to the drive member along two separate power trains; drivingly interconnecting the power trains to synchronize the power transmitted to the rams via the separate power trains;
means operative to thereby synchronize the motion of the ram throughout the power stroke. This configuration allows the cutting machine of the invention to Large diameter tubing can be effectively cut without increasing the size and strength of the power train components interconnecting the motor means and ram.

According to another feature of the invention, each power train includes a power shaft, the power shaft being driven by motor means and connected to a respective drive member of the ram, the synchronization means extending between the power shafts; Synchronize the rotation of the power shaft. This particular configuration provides a compact and inexpensive means of transmitting power to the ram through two separate paths, while simultaneously synchronizing the power transmitted through the two paths, thereby ensuring smooth and consistent ram operation. Ensure output stroke movement.

According to another feature of the invention, the synchronization means includes a gear train, which gear train is associated with gears mounted on the output shafts of the two power trains, respectively, and with gears mounted on separate power shafts. at least one idler gear. Gears consisting of a gear train interconnecting the output shafts of two separate power trains serve only a synchronizing function and therefore allow for a relatively lightweight construction without creating excessive stress on the gear teeth. can.

According to another feature of the invention, each power train further includes a flywheel driven by the motor means and a clutch interconnecting the respective flywheel and the respective power shaft. The provision of two separate flywheels, each positioned in two separate power trains and each driven via two separate clutches, facilitates the smooth transfer of power from the motor means to the rams via two separate power paths. Facilitate effective transmission and minimize stress on each individual clutch.

According to another feature of the invention, each power shaft comprises a crankshaft and each drive member of the ram comprises a crank portion of a respective crankshaft supported by bearing means supported by the ram. This arrangement provides a simple and effective means of producing stroke motion of the ram track in response to rotation of the power shafts of two separate power trains.

In a first embodiment of the invention, a single electric motor drives both flywheels, and in a second embodiment of the invention, a separate electric motor drives each flywheel.

[Embodiment] A cutting machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 constitutes a workstation 12 for performing processing operations such as cutting a tube 14 exiting a tube mill. It includes a frame structure 11 having a generally C-shaped configuration. The workstation 12 includes a horizontal surface 16, the horizontal surface 16
mounts a set of axially extending lower rails 18 on which a lower die set carriage 20 is slidably mounted.

Cutting machine 10 further includes a ram 22 having a set of axially extending upper rails 24 to which an upper die set carriage 26 is slidably mounted. The upper die set carriage 20 and the lower die set carriage 26 are each similar to those described in U.S. Pat.
As described in No. 12, the die set 28, which is slidable axially on a respective rail set 18 and 24 along the axial length of the machine and is therefore mounted on a carriage, cuts the workpiece. Inside, when tightened into the die set, the tube carries the axial length of the machine.

Details of die sets 28 suitable for upper die set carriage 20 and lower die set carriage 26 are provided in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.
It is further shown in No. 2. Broadly speaking, the die set 28 is moved axially with the carriages 20 and 26 along the upper and lower rails in clamping relation to the tube 14, and the guillotine blade supported by the die set is Cuts the tube as it moves with the tube. The tightening of the die set is controlled by the operation of the members, as well as the operation of the guillotine of the die set, by a ram 22 that is moved through a track path that includes a power stroke, which moves the upper carriage 26 into the lower carriage 20. The die set is first tightened to engage the member with the pipe, and then the guillotine blade is passed through the pipe to extend the length of the pipe to a certain length. The ram is then moved upward along the track to release the tube and the guillotine blade is moved upward so that the ram moves along the track to the point where it begins a new power stroke. return. The drive means for selectively moving the ram through its orbital travel includes an electric motor 30, a reduction unit 32, a pulley 34, spaced flywheels 36, and a clutch and brake assembly associated with each flywheel. a solid 38 and a crankshaft 40 associated with each flywheel and clutch;
including.

The electric motor 30, reducer 32, and pulley 34 are continuously aligned at the top of the frame 11 extending from the front to the rear of the frame, thus placing the pulley 34 in a rearwardly spaced relationship on the rear face of the frame. Flywheels 36 are mounted on the rear surface of the frame in axially spaced relationship and symmetrically with respect to the pulleys 34, each flywheel receiving the drive of a plurality of belts 42 wrapped around the pulleys 34. Therefore, the flywheel 36 is simultaneously driven in accordance with the rotation of the pulley 34.

Clutch and brake assemblies 38 may be hydraulic or pneumatic, each including an actuator 39. A clutch and brake assembly 38 serves to selectively interconnect or brake a respective flywheel 36 with a respective crankshaft 40 in a known manner.

Each crankshaft 40 extends forwardly from a respective clutch 38 through a bearing structure 46 suitably supported by a bulkhead of the machine frame 11, and a body portion 40a rotatably supported by the bearing structure 46, a forward portion 40b suitably supported on the front bulkhead 11a of the
It comprises a crank part 4'Oc which constitutes the eccentric distance of the crankshaft and is supported on the ram 24 by suitable bearings 48.

In a typical use cycle, where the cutting machine is operating on continuous tube exiting the tube mill, the electric motor 30 rotates continuously and thus the flywheel 36 is continuously driven via the pulley 34 and the heald 42. be done. clutch 38
are selectively and simultaneously actuated to drivingly interconnect flywheel 36 and crankshaft 40, thus causing ram 2 to
4 through a track having the exact shape and dimensions of the track. This trajectory path is determined by the axial spacing between the crankshafts 40 and by the amount of eccentricity defined by each crank portion 40c.

The cutting machine of the invention further includes synchronization means for keeping the crankshafts 40 synchronized with each other, thereby moving the rams in a smooth translational manner through the trackway. The synchronizing means includes spur gears 52 drivingly secured to each crankshaft 40.
and a front end 56a of the bearing structure 46.
and an idler spur gear 54 mounted on a shaft 56 supported at the rear end of the frame bulkhead 11b, further meshing with each spur gear 52 and idler gear 54, so as to be properly connected to the machine frame 11. and a set of idler spur gears 57 supported on a supported width shaft 58.

A synchronous gear train 50 operates to ensure that the axially spaced crankshaft 40 always rotates at the same speed regardless of slippage of the belt 42 or clutch 38, thereby ensuring that the crank portion 40c of the crankshaft is accurate. It will be seen that rotating in phase ensures that the ram moves in a translational manner through the track path.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a single electric motor 30 and a single speed reducer 32 replaced by a pair of electric motors 60 and 62, which drive gear speed reducers 64 and 66, respectively, and separate belt belts. 1 to 4, except that 68 is associated with a pulley 70 of each reduction unit and drives each individual flywheel 36, so that the crankshafts are individually driven by separate electric motors. is the same as In other respects, the cutting device of FIG. 5 is identical to the cutting device of FIGS. 1-4. The synchronous gear train 50 operates to ensure that the axially spaced crankshafts 40 always rotate at the same speed regardless of the asynchrony between the individual motors 60.
and 62 need not be synchronized with each other.

It will be seen that the cutting machine of the present invention has a number of important advantages. In particular, the power to the ram is split and the ram moves through two separate drive trains, each drive train compared to prior art machines where power is transmitted to the rams through a single drive train. The stress of is reduced considerably. In particular, the stresses in clutch 38 are significantly reduced compared to prior art single drive train designs, thus allowing a given clutch to operate at significantly lower stress levels, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the clutch. considerably extends the operating life. Furthermore,
The gears that make up the synchronous gear train perform only the synchronous function without receiving a large load, so the load of the drive train passes through the gear train,
In particular, gear tooth stresses are significantly reduced compared to prior art machines which apply high stresses to individual teeth through the individual teeth of intermeshed gears. Furthermore, since these gears do not support significant loads, they can be relatively small and relatively light, with a proportional reduction in the inertia of the moving parts of the drive train, thereby making starting and stopping of the cutting machine easier. facilitates and further reduces drive train stress. The cutting machine of the present invention significantly reduces stress on the machine's clutch and gear teeth, which are the two most common maintenance and fatigue points on prior art machines. It is considerably more durable than machines and requires considerably less maintenance. Importantly, the cutting machine of the present invention does not require significant downtime and thus allows the associated tube mill to be operated with little or no need to take the mill out of service due to failure of the cutting machine drive mechanism. You can drive on a continuous basis.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be obvious that various changes can be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1, and FIGS. -3 wire and 4-4
FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a second embodiment of the invention. 10. Cutting machine 12. Work station 14. ,,tube,1
6., horizontal plane, 18. ,,lower rail, 20,,lower die set carriage, 22.1. Ram, 24. , Upper rail 26 , Upper die set carriage 28 , Die set 30
．． ,,Electric motor, 32,,,Reduction unit, 34. ,, Pulley, 36, , Flywheel, 38, , Clutch/brake assembly, 4.0. ,
, crankshaft, 42. ,,belt, 46,,,bearing structure, 50. ,, gear train, 57°60. 64. 68° spur gear, 54, spur gear, 58 62, electric motor, 66, gear reducer, belt, 70° gear, wheel set, pulley. Procedure document Heisei (method) % formula % 1. Indication of the case 1999 Patent Application No. 281602 2. Title of the invention 3. Person making the amendment Relationship with the case 4. 7. Contents of the amendment

Claims (17)

[Claims] (1) A machine frame constituting the processing area, and a ram provided on the frame adjacent to the processing area, movable through the power stroke by at least two drive members engaged at spaced apart locations. a cutting machine of the type comprising: a) motor means mounted on a frame; and drive means interconnecting said motor means and said drive member, said drive means comprising: A) directing power from said motor means to two separate sources; B) means for drivingly interconnecting said power trains, separate from said power train, and transmitted to said ram via said separate power train; synchronize,
means operative to thereby synchronize the motion of said ram throughout the power stroke. (2) C) each power train includes a power shaft driven by said motor means and coupled to a respective drive member, and D) said synchronizing means extends between said power shafts to control rotation of said power shaft. A cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein the cutting machine is synchronized. (3) E) The cutting machine according to claim 2, wherein the synchronizing means comprises a gear train including gears and at least one idle gear, each attached to the power shaft. (4)F) Each power train further comprises a flywheel driven by the motor means and a clutch interconnecting the respective flywheel and the respective power shaft. Cutting machine. (5)E) The cutting machine according to claim 2, wherein each power shaft comprises a crankshaft, and each drive member comprises a crank portion of the crankshaft supported by bearing means supported by the ram. (6)G) The motor means comprises a single motor means for driving both of the flywheels.
) Cutting machine according to section. (7) G) The cutting machine according to claim (4), wherein the motor means comprises separate electric motors respectively driving each flywheel. (8) H) A cutting machine according to claim (6), wherein the single motor means comprises an electric motor driving a reduction unit. (9) H) The cutting machine according to claim (7), wherein each motor means comprises an electric motor driving a respective reduction unit. (10) A) a frame constituting a workstation; B) a ram movable on the frame through a power stroke to perform a cutting operation on a workpiece positioned at the workstation; and C) the frame. D) means for defining two separate power trains extending between said motor means and spaced apart points of said ram; and E) means extending between said power trains and extending between said power trains; synchronizing means operative to synchronize a power train and thereby synchronize the movement of said ram throughout said power stroke. (11)F) Each power train includes a motor means, a flywheel driven by the motor means, a power shaft extending between the respective flywheel and the ram, and a power shaft extending between the respective flywheel and the respective power shaft. Cutting machine according to claim 10, comprising an interconnecting clutch. (12) The cutting machine according to claim 11, wherein G) each power shaft comprises a crankshaft, and H) each crankshaft includes a crank portion supported on the ram. (13) I) The cutting machine according to claim 12, wherein the synchronizing means comprises a gear train including gears each provided on the crankshaft and at least one idle gear. (14)J) The motor means comprises a single motor means for driving both of the flywheels.
13) Cutting machine according to item 13). (15)J) A cutting machine according to claim (13), wherein the motor means comprises separate motors respectively driving each of the flywheels. (16)K) A cutting machine according to claim (14), wherein the single motor means comprises an electric motor driving a reduction unit. (17)K) The cutting machine according to claim (15), wherein each of said motor means comprises an electric motor driving a respective reduction unit.