WO2017168057A1

WO2017168057A1 - An apparatus for supporting a tool unit for manipulating a workpiece

Info

Publication number: WO2017168057A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/050232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seppo Makkonen; Mika Priha
Original assignee: Exact Tools Oy
Priority date: 2016-04-01
Filing date: 2017-03-31
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: DE212017000094U1; FI20165277A

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for supporting a tool unit (3) for bevelling a pipe (1) having a longitudinal axis comprises a clamping mechanism (2) having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus is adapted to be fastened to said workpiece (1) rotatably therearound. The clamping mechanism (2) comprises a frame element (5) and first and second arms (6, 7) extending therefrom, said arms (6, 7) being articulated at one end to the frame element (5) of the clamping mechanism (2) and each arm (6, 7) has its free end fitted with an axle (31, 32), which is provided with at least one guiding member (15, 16). The apparatus further comprises at least one second axle (33, 34) being provided with at least one second guiding member (35, 36). In the apparatus at least one of the axle (31, 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism (2), where the angle deviates from the perpendicular angle so to generate a force component, which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1).

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TOOL UNIT FOR MANIPULATING A WORKPIECE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a tool unit for manipulating a workpiece, such as machining, and especially bevelling tubular and round-bar type workpieces, in particularly pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various devices for supporting a machining tool, such as a cutting or beveling tool, for machining a tubular piece are known from prior art. It is prior known to bevel an end portion of a round section pipes for example with a beveling cutter, wherein either the pipe is rotating or the machining tool is rotating around a pipe and providing the beveling into the end portion of the pipe.

For example US2015202699A1 discloses an apparatus for cutting workpieces adapted to engage the workpiece in at least four points of surface engagement. The apparatus has a clamping mechanism designed to be fastened to the workpiece. The clamping mechanism has a tool unit attached which includes adjustment elements for displacing the tool unit relative to the clamping mechanism towards or away from the workpiece. The clamping mechanism has a frame element and arms extending from the clamping mechanism. Each of the four arms includes a bearing wheel. Each of the wheels may be used to engage a workpiece to retain its position while it is being cut.

In addition US2015306682A1 discloses a machining device for machining the lateral surface of an approximately cylindrical object in portions thereof includes a chain for annularly surrounding the object to be machined. The chain consists of at least two hingedly connectable chain links, one of which is a tool holder having at least one tool for machining the lateral surface. The device also includes support rollers for rolling on the lateral surface. The at least one other chain link is a chain connecting link. The chain links are connectable in such a way that they form a closed chain ring around the object to be machined. The machining device further includes a feed adjuster capable of reversibly adjusting an axial position of facing ends of two chain links parallel to the axis of the closed chain ring relative to each other.

There are however some disadvantages relating to the known prior art, such as supporting the machining tool against the pipe to be machined, namely cutting forces induced by the beveling especially in an axial direction of the pipe to be machined tends heavily to deflect or disengage the machining tool from the contact of the pipe end to be machined. The deflecting tendency is very hard and difficult to compensate due to enormous axial cutting forces, and especially in a controlled manner, because there is also a risk to compensate the deflecting effect or force too much which causes the machining tool to travel into another direction in the longitudinal direction of the pipe to be beveled which results an unwanted spiral bevel into the end portion of the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for pressing and keeping the apparatus with a tool unit in a contact with a surface of a workpiece to be machined during operation in an easy and safe manner.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a tool unit for manipulating tubular and round-bar type workpieces according to claim 1.

According to an embodiment of the invention an apparatus is developed for supporting a tool unit for manipulating tubular and round-bar type workpieces having a longitudinal axis, such as especially pipes. The manipulating relates to a machining, and especially to a bevelling an end portion of the pipe so to prepare a suitable bevelling for example for a welding purpose to weld two pipes together. The apparatus comprises advantageously a clamping mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being adapted to be fastened to the workpiece rotatably therearound so that the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The clamping mechanism is also configured to receive the tool unit with a manipulating device, such as a bevelling unit so that the end of the pipe can be bevelled, for example. The clamping mechanism additionally comprises an adjustment means for displacing the tool unit relative to the clamping mechanism towards or away from the workpiece and thereby enabling the manipulating. The clamping mechanism comprises also a frame element and first and second arms extending therefrom. The arms are articulated at one end to the frame element of the clamping mechanism and each arm has its free end fitted with an axle, which is provided with at least one guiding member, such as a wheel or slide or other member for suitably guiding the apparatus along the surface of the workpiece during manipulating. The apparatus further comprises at least one second axle, which is provided with at least one second guiding member.

In addition the clamping mechanism has its frame element provided a clamping device, such as a threated shaft, which is operable with an operation member, such as a rotatable knob. The clamping device has first and second movable portions, to which said first and second arms are articulated by means of first and second suspension arms so that when said movable portions are moved under operation of the operation member simultaneously in relation to each other, the apparatus can be clamped and un-clamped around the workpiece.

Furthermore at least one of the axle of the apparatus with at least one guiding member, such as a wheel, is arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism. The angle is chosen so that it deviates from the perpendicular angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism. The angle is advantageously between 0.5°-5°, more advantageously between 1 °-3° and most advantageously around 2°. It is to be noted that one or more axle with the guiding member is/are tilted.

The embodiment with the tilted axle with the guiding member offers huge advantages over the prior art solutions, namely by the tilted axle with the guiding member the apparatus can be forced against the end of the workpiece and so that the cutting forces induced by the beveling especially in an axial direction of the pipe to be machined can be effectively compensated. During operation and especially during movement of the apparatus along the surface of the workpiece the tilted axle with the guiding member forces the apparatus against the end of the workpiece, whereupon the manipulation, such as bevelling, can be performed very easily and accurately and so that the quality of the bevel is accurate, sharp and in a desired angle and additionally so that no deviation in direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece happens, i.e. for example the bevel is not spiral trace.

In addition it is to be noted that the angle, but also the material and type, as well as number of the tilted guiding member has an effect to the force (in the axial direction of the workpiece), and its extent for pressing the apparatus against the end of the pipe as well as the "pitch angle" of the guiding member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, which might be important factor when the apparatus is driven towards the end of the workpiece. According to an embodiment the angle of the axle with at least one guiding member in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism is advantageously fixed, but also be arranged to be adjustable, whereupon the force component parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece can be easily adjusted.

According to an embodiment at least one of the guiding members mounted on the axles is a wheel. Most advantageously the wheel is a rotating wheel. In addition, according to an embodiment of the wheel is adapted to rotate in one direction only, whereupon the manipulation of the workpiece is very easy, because when a first operational range is run (the length of the arch along the surface of the workpiece under user extend) the user must backtrack the apparatus but also at the same time turn the workpiece so that the un-manipulated portion of the workpiece is positioned in convenient position for manipulation. When at least one of the wheel is adapted to rotate in one direction only, said wheel stacks into the workpiece when the apparatus backtracked, thus turning the workpiece simultaneously without any additional acts required from the user.

It has been noted that when the guiding member is a wheel and especially a rotating wheel, the optimal angle is around 2° for pressing the apparatus with a convenient force against the pipe (workpiece). The wheel material is advantageously metal, possibly having pattern on it.

The apparatus may also be configured to be locked in the manipulating position around the workpiece in a releasable manner. The locking can be implemented e.g. mechanically by a hook and at least one notch, the notch being a counterpart for the hook and configured to lock the tool unit in a certain manipulating position. Alternatively the locking can be implemented electrically by an electromagnet and its counterpart, which are configured to lock the tool unit in a certain manipulating position. Also a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder can be used, as well as a latch member and a notch as a counterpart for the latch.

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 -4 illustrate principles of an exemplary apparatus for supporting a tool unit for manipulating a workpiece according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 illustrates a principle of an exemplary apparatus with guiding members according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 6-7 illustrate an example of a manipulating device having a bevelling device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 -4 illustrate principles of an exemplary apparatus 100 for supporting a tool unit 3 for manipulating a tubular and round-bar type workpiece 1 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the workpiece 1 , such as especially a pipe, has a longitudinal axis 1 a (Fig 6). The apparatus comprises advantageously a clamping mechanism 2 having a longitudinal axis 2a (Fig. 5) and being adapted to be fastened to the workpiece 1 rotatably therearound so that the longitudinal axis 2a of the clamping mechanism is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

The clamping mechanism 2 is also configured to receive the tool unit 3 with a manipulating device 101 , such as a bevelling unit so that the end of the pipe can be bevelled, for example. The clamping mechanism additionally comprises an adjustment means 4, such as a hinge, for displacing the tool unit relative to the clamping mechanism towards or away from the workpiece and thereby enabling the manipulating. The clamping mechanism comprises also a frame element 5 and first and second arms 6, 7 extending therefrom. The arms 6, 7 are articulated at one end to the frame element 5 of the clamping mechanism and each arm has its free end fitted with an axle 31 , 32, which is provided with at least one guiding member 15, 16, such as a wheel or slide or other member for suitably guiding the apparatus 100 along the surface of the workpiece 1 during manipulating. The apparatus further comprises at least one second axle 33, 34, which is provided with at least one second guiding member 35, 36.

In addition the clamping mechanism 2 has its frame element 5 provided a clamping device 20, such as a threated shaft, which is operable with an operation member 23, such as a rotatable knob. The clamping device has first and second movable portions 21 , 22, to which said first and second arms 6, 7 are articulated by means of first and second suspension arms 24, 25 so that when said movable portions 21 , 22 are moved under operation of the operation member 23 simultaneously in relation to each other, the apparatus 100 can be clamped and un-clamped around the workpiece 1.

Figure 5 illustrates a principle of an exemplary apparatus 100 with guiding members 15, 16 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where least one of the axle 31 , 32 of the apparatus with at least one guiding member 15, 16 is arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis 2a of the clamping mechanism 2. The angle of the axle 31 , 32 with at least one guiding member 15, 16 is arranged so that in use the axle 31 , 32 with at least one guiding member 15, 16 causes a force, one component 102 of which is essentially in parallel with the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece. Similarly and in addition to or alternatively also any other (second) axle 33, 34 with at least one second guiding member 35, 36 can be arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis 2a of the clamping mechanism 2.

Figure 6-7 illustrate an example of a bevelling device 103 as a manipulating device 101 a according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the bevelling device 103 is used for bevelling an end portion 104 of the workpiece 1. The end portion 104 to be bevelled comprises or produces during bevelling at least a portion, namely a bevel 104, the normal of which is an angle deviating from the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1. The cutting force induced by the beveling and especially its direction component parallel to the axial direction of the pipe 1 a tends heavily to deflect or disengage the machining tool and apparatus from the contact of the pipe end 1 to be machined. In order to compensate this deflection force the angle of at least one axle 31 , 32, 33, 34 with at least one guiding member 15, 16, 35, 36 is arranged to be so that in use the axle 31 , 32, 33, 34 with at least one guiding member 15, 16, 35, 36 causes a force, one component 102 of which presses the manipulating device 1 , 101 , 103 against the end portion 104 essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1.

The bevelling device 103 may comprise a cutter or grinding or knife or blade member for bevelling the material of the pipe to be bevelled. In addition the manipulating device 101 comprises a supporting member 105 (such a rolling supporting member, which can be implemented e.g. by a suitable bearing member).

The apparatus or the manipulating device may also comprise a fine adjusting member 106 (Figs 3, 4) for displacing the manipulating device 101 or bevelling device 103 and/or supporting member 105 essentially perpendicular direction 107 towards the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1 to be manipulated. The fine adjusting member 106 advantageously comprises a threated shaft, turning of which is configured to displace the manipulating device 101 or the bevelling device 103 and/or supporting member 105 in a stepless manner.

The apparatus may also comprise a controlling member 108, such as a stopping member, which is configured to control or limit the displacing movement of the manipulating device 101 or the bevelling device 103 so to leave a first un-bevelled portion 109 (Fig 6) to the workpiece 1. The first un- bevelled portion 109 has advantageously a side the normal of which is essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1.

According to an embodiment the extent of the supporting member 105 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1 to be machined is adjustable so that a second un-bevelled portion 1 10 having a side the normal of which is essentially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1 can be left to the workpiece (Fig 7). The length of the second un-bevelled portion 1 10 can be adjusted via the extension of the supporting member 105 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1 to be machined. The adjustability of the extent of the supporting member 105 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece 1 can be implemented by changing the outer dimension of the supporting member 105 and/or by a later adjusting member 1 1 1 for displacing the supporting member 105 essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 a of the workpiece. In addition, according to an embodiment the supporting member 105 may be arranged in an eccentric way, whereupon the extent of the portion to be faced against the workpiece can be adjusted by turning the supporting member 105 around the eccentric axis. In addition it is to be noted that the second axles 33, 34 may be adapted to be adjusted by means of the clamping device 20 (such as a threaded shaft 20) concurrently with the axles 31 , 32 present at the ends of the arms 6, 7 where each of the second axles 33, 34 are advantageously connected to one of the movable portions 21 , 22 of the clamping device and wherein each of said second axles 33, 34 is connected to one of the arms 6, 7 respectively.

In addition, according to an embodiment at least two of said second axles 33, 34, each of which being provided with at least one guiding members 35, 36, can be either fitted adjustably relative to their mutual distance between the arms 6, 7 and the frame element 5, or fitted fixedly to the frame element 5.

In addition according to an exemplary embodiment the clamping mechanism 2 may have its frame element 5 provided in a rotatable and axially immobile fashion with a threaded shaft 20 (as the clamping device 20), whose first end has a right-handed thread provided with a first nut 21 (as the first movable portion) and whose second end has a left-handed thread provided with a second nut 22 (as the second movable portion), and said threaded shaft 20 being provided with the member 23 for rotating the threaded shaft 20, the first arm 6 and the first nut 21 being articulated to each other by means of a first suspension arm 24 and the second arm 7 and the second nut 22 being articulated to each other by means of a second suspension arm 25.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Even if the bevelling is described as a detailed example of manipulating, the apparatus can also be used for another manipulation, where the apparatus must be forced against the end of the workpiece. In addition is should be noted that the apparatus can also be used so that the force component parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece can be used for travelling the apparatus also along the surface of the workpiece both in direction the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in addition to moving the apparatus around the workpiece.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for supporting a tool unit (3) for manipulating, such as machining, and especially bevelling tubular and round-bar type pieces (1 ) having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus comprising a clamping mechanism (2) having a longitudinal axis and being adapted to be fastened to said workpiece (1 ) rotatably therearound so that said longitudinal axis is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) and said clamping mechanism (2) being configured to receive said tool unit (3) with a manipulating device, said clamping mechanism (2) comprising an adjustment means (4) for displacing said tool unit (3) relative to the clamping mechanism (2) towards or away from the workpiece (1 ), and said clamping mechanism (2) comprising a frame element (5) and first and second arms (6, 7) extending therefrom, said arms (6, 7) being articulated at one end to the frame element (5) of the clamping mechanism (2) and each arm (6, 7) has its free end fitted with an axle (31 , 32), which is provided with at least one guiding member (15, 16), and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one second axle (33, 34) being provided with at least one second guiding member (35, 36), the clamping mechanism (2) having its frame element (5) provided a clamping device (20) operable with an operation member (23), the clamping device having first and second movable portions (21 , 22) configured to be moved under operation of the operation member (23) simultaneously in relation to each other, and the first arm (6) and the first movable portion (21 ) being articulated to each other by means of a first suspension arm (24) and the second arm (7) and the second movable portion (22) being articulated to each other by means of a second suspension arm (25), characterized in that at least one of the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism (2), where the angle deviates from the perpendicular angle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is arranged to be so that in use the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) causes a force, one component of which is essentially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ).

3. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the tool unit (3) comprises a manipulating device for manipulating an end portion of the workpiece (1 ), whereupon the angle of the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is arranged to be so that in use the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) causes a force, one component of which presses the manipulating device against the end portion essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ).

4. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the manipulating device comprises a bevelling device and supporting member, whereupon the angle of the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is arranged to be so that in use the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) causes a force, one component of which presses at least the supporting member against the end portion essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ).

5. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the manipulating device comprises a bevelling device and supporting member, and wherein the apparatus comprises a fine adjusting member for displacing the bevelling device and/or supporting member essentially perpendicular direction towards the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) to be manipulated.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fine adjusting member comprises a threated shaft, turning of which is configured to displace the bevelling device and/or supporting member in a stepless manner.

7. The apparatus of any claims 5-6, wherein the apparatus comprises a controlling member, such as a stopping member, which is configured to control or limit the displacing movement of the bevelling device so to leave a first un-bevelled portion to the workpiece (1 ), said first un-bevelled portion having a side the normal of which is essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ).

8. The apparatus of any claims 5-7, wherein the extent of the supporting member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) to be machined is adjustable so that a second un-bevelled portion having a side the normal of which is essentially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) is left to the workpiece (1 ) and wherein the length of the second un-bevelled portion is adjustable via the extension of the supporting member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) to be machined. (3C)

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustability of the extent of the supporting member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) is implemented by changing the outer dimension of the supporting member and/or by a later adjusting member for displacing the supporting member essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

10. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the angle of the axle (31 , 32, 33, 34) with at least one guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping mechanism (2) is either fixed or arranged to be adjustable, whereupon the force component parallel with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece (1 ) can be adjusted.

1 1. An apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two of said second axles (33, 34), each of said axles being provided with at least one guiding members (35, 36), wherein said two second axles (33, 34) are either:

- fitted adjustably (100) relative to their mutual distance between the arms (6,7) and the frame element (5), or

- fitted fixedly (200) to the frame element (5).

12. An apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the clamping mechanism (2) has its frame element (5) provided in a rotatable and axially immobile fashion with a threaded shaft (20), whose first end has a right- handed thread provided with a first nut (21 ) and whose second end has a left-handed thread provided with a second nut (22), and said threaded shaft (20) being provided with the member (23) for rotating the threaded shaft (20), the first arm (6) and the first nut 21 ) being articulated to each other by means of a first suspension arm (24) and the second arm (7) and the second nut (22) being articulated to each other by means of a second suspension arm (25).

13. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein the apparatus (100) is configured to be locked (400A-404D) in the manipulating position in a releasable manner.

14. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein at least one (15) of the guiding members (15, 16, 35, 36) mounted on the axles (31 , 32, 33, 34) is a wheel and is adapted to rotate, and wherein one of the rotatable wheel is adapted to rotate in one direction only.

15. The apparatus of any of previous claims, wherein at least one of the guiding member (15, 16, 35, 36) is a rotatable guiding member, such as a wheel or roll, and wherein the apparatus is configured to rotate said guiding member and thereby rotatably move the apparatus (100) along the surface of the workpiece (1 ) essentially around the longitudinal axis of said workpiece (1 ).