WO2020216855A1

WO2020216855A1 - Machine for shaping a tubular element

Info

Publication number: WO2020216855A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/061356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cyrille CANTELLE; Jackie FENG
Original assignee: Faurecia Systemes D'echappement
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Also published as: FR3095357A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for shaping a tubular element, comprising an actuator (3) capable of moving a tool (4) in translation in a first direction (D1), wherein an interface of the actuator (3) and an interface of the tool (4) have, in a cutting plane comprising the first direction (D1), complementary profiles comprising at least one first portion (7) and at least one second portion (8) secant to the first direction (D1) and normals in opposite directions, so as to allow a force in the first direction (D1) to be transmitted in both directions and the tool (4) to be changed by a relative translation in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (D1).

Description

TITLE: Machine for shaping a tubular element

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to the field of tubular element shaping machines. These machines also called "sizing" machine in English are used, for example in the automobile industry to produce components, such as catalytic filters, by means of a succession of different shaping operations, applied to a substantially tubular element. .

Prior art

[0002] As illustrated in Figure 1, these operations can be multiple and mainly include widening or narrowing operations, acting on the diametral section, over all or part of the length of the tubular element. The manufacture of a component, from a tubular element, requires several operations, according to a number and in an order which may vary from one component to another.

[0003] These operations all have in common a rectilinear movement mobilizing a tool relative to a tubular element.

Current shaping machines are capable of performing at least one operation, among those illustrated, but there is no vertical shaping machine capable of performing both a widening operation and an operation. of shrinkage. This seriously affects the versatility of a machine and requires organizing a production line around a specific machine.

Summary of the invention

[0005] The problem is mainly related to an incompatibility of the interfaces of the tools between the widening and the narrowing. This is conceivable for horizontal machines, but becomes difficult for long tubular element lengths (beyond 250 mm), due to increased spans in relation to gravity.

To resolve this drawback, the invention relates to an arrangement making it possible to perform a tool change in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

The invention relates to a machine for shaping a tubular element, comprising an actuator capable of moving a tool in translation according to a first direction, where an interface of the actuator and an interface of the tool have, in a section plane comprising the first direction, complementary profiles comprising at least a first portion and at least a second portion intersecting the first direction and normals of opposite directions, so as to allow a transmission of a force in the first direction in both directions and a change of the tool by a relative translation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] Particular characteristics or embodiments, which can be used alone or in combination, are:

• an interior interface among the interface of the actuator and the interface of the tool has a male shape, advantageously of revolution relative to the first direction and an exterior interface among the interface of the actuator and the interface of the tool has a female shape surrounding the shape of the first interface, except on at least one cutout in the second direction of the first interface on the second interface,

• the first direction is vertical,

• a tool comprises a fixed part and a movable part relative to the fixed part in the first direction, and a means of immobilizing the movable part relative to the fixed part in a reference position,

• the machine also includes a lockout plate capable of accommodating the immobilization means when it is removed from the tool, the lockout of the immobilizer on the lockout plate being necessary to allow movement of the actuator,

• the machine also includes a locking means capable of selectively immobilizing the fixed part of the tool relative to the rest of the machine,

• a tool further comprises an identification means and the machine further comprises a reading means capable of reading the identification means,

• a distance between the first direction and one side of the machine through which the machine is supplied with tubular element is less than 500 mm, preferably between 150 and 500 mm.

[0009]

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which: [Fig 1] shows, in cut view, different devices allowing different shaping operations;

[Fig 2] shows different illustrative interface profiles,

[Fig 3] shows, in profile view, an embodiment of the tool interface,

[Fig 4] shows a side view of an embodiment of the actuator interface,

[Fig 5] shows, in perspective view, the interface of the tool engaged in the interface of the actuator,

[Fig 6] shows, in perspective view, a machine ready to receive a tool,

[Fig 7] is a perspective view of a machine with a tool in place,

[Fig 8] shows, in profile view, a machine and a carriage during a tool change.

Description of embodiments

[001 1] In Figure 1, are shown ten illustrative examples of shaping device 01 -010. 01 partially widens the tubular element 2 at its end. The same is true for 07. 08 allows the tubular element 2 to be widened over its entire length. 01, 07, 08 are enlargement devices. 02 allows the tubular element 2 to be constricted over its entire length. The same is true for 09. 03 allows the tubular element 2 to be partially constricted at its end. The same is true for 04 and 06. 02, 03, 04, 06 and 09 are restriction devices. 05 is another device for shaping the end face of tubular element 2. 010 is another device for drilling a hole in the side wall of tubular element 2.

[0012] It is understood herein that a tubular element 2 has any section. This section can be circular, oval, trapezoidal, television screen (rectangle with corners and / or rounded edges), running track, or other. The dimension of its section is typically between 70 and 400 mm.

In all cases, a force is applied in a first rectilinear direction D1, here vertical, from bottom to top. Different tools are needed to perform each type of operation. Also, in order to have a versatile machine, facilitating the reconfiguration of a manufacturing workshop for a new product, it is necessary to be able to change tools 4.

The principle of certain shaping tools is based on elements or blades arranged axisymmetrically. It is thus possible to adapt the number of blades to the desired shape of the profile of the tubular element 2. A machine 1 for shaping a tubular element 2 according to the invention comprises an actuator 3 capable of moving a tool 4 in translation in a first direction D1. In order to be able to simply change the tool 4, an interface of the actuator 3 and an interface of the tool 4 have complementary shapes.

[0016] These shapes are such that they allow a force to be transmitted in the first direction D1, preferably in both directions. These shapes also make it possible to selectively engage / disengage one of the shapes relative to the other by a translation in a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1.

For this, as illustrated by three examples in Figure 2, in a section plane comprising the first direction D1, the respective profiles 5, 6 of the interface of the tool 4 and of the interface of the actuator 3 are complementary and comprise at least a first portion 7 and at least a second portion 8 secant to the first direction D1. The average normal to the first portion 7 and the average normal to the second portion 8 are in opposite directions, both for the tool 4 and for the actuator 3. The normals are shown by the arrows and are shown re-entrant for clarity. . Thus, the first respective portions 7 oppose each other during movement in the first direction D1 in a first direction and allow transmission of a force in this first direction. Conversely, the respective second portions 8 oppose each other when moving in the first direction D1 in a second direction and allow a transmission of a force in this second direction, opposite to the first.

[0018] The portions 7 and 8 are not necessarily symmetrical, as shown. They can be curved or rectilinear. According to a preferred embodiment, the portions 7, 8 are advantageously perpendicular to the first direction D1 in order to offer the best transmission of force.

[0019] The surface described by one of the portions is advantageously dimensioned according to the force to be transmitted. There appears a large difference in the force to be transmitted depending on the direction. Thus in a first sense, where the tool 4 works a significant effort is necessary. On the contrary in the second direction, serving to withdraw / reset the tool 4, a much less force is necessary. As a result, the size of the transmission surface can be adapted accordingly. Thus, with reference to FIG. 3, the end surface resulting from the portion 8, which is much larger, is used in thrust to transmit the forming force. The annular surface from the smaller portion 7 is used to transmit a force allowing the tool 4 to return.

The respective shapes of the sections 5, 6 can be very varied. The shapes of the interfaces can be obtained by having sections 5, 6 describe a movement, for example rectilinear or even circular. Other constraints may arise. So if the movement is circular, the shape is of revolution. Sections 5, 6 should therefore have interlocking or “release” designs. Thus sections 5, 6 of the central example are applicable to a rectilinear movement, the two interfaces being engaged by slide. However, this central example is not "unmoldable" and cannot be applied to a form of revolution.

According to one embodiment, an interface 3, 4 among the interface of the actuator 3 and the interface of the tool 4 has a male shape, advantageously of revolution relative to the first direction D1 and is called the interface interior. The other interface, called the outer interface 4, 3, has a female shape surrounding the shape of the inner interface 3, 4. This is more particularly visible in Figures 3 and 4 which show a possible embodiment.

To allow a relative translation in the second direction D2, the interface among that of the tool 4 or that of the actuator 3 which is external to the other, or the external interface, is interrupted at least on a cutout 9 in the second direction D2 of the interior interface on the exterior interface. This is more particularly visible in FIG. 5 which shows an internal male interface, here of the tool 3, engaged in an external female interface, here of the actuator 4. The shape of the external interface 4 is cut out, here by a plane parallel to D1 and substantially diametral, so as to reveal a cutout 9 of the same shape as a projection along D2 of the shape of the interface of the tool 4, in order to allow an exit and / or an entry of the interface of the tool 3 by a translation along D2.

[0023] According to an advantageous characteristic, the first direction D1 is vertical. Until now, the majority of tubular member shaping machines work in a horizontal direction. This prejudicially causes alignment or buckling problems as soon as the tubular element 2 has a significant length. In addition, this leads to a significantly greater footprint of the machine. Also the adoption of a vertical direction D1 makes it possible to improve these two points. In addition, gravity can be used to put in place or remove a tubular element 2 or to facilitate the operation or return of a tool 4. At the scale of a manufacturing unit, the space saving obtained by this reduction in footprint is significant.

In Figures 6 and 7, a machine 1 according to a possible embodiment is shown seen from the rear, from the side through which the tool change takes place. According to an advantageous characteristic, the supply of the machine 1 with tubular element 2 is carried out, whether by an operator or by an automatic means, such as a robot or any other transfer means, on the opposite side. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in terms of ergonomics and safety. In addition, it reduces the downtime necessary before resuming production following a tool change.

The machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a first slide means 10, 1 1, for example in the form of a pair of vertical rules and a pair of horizontal ball tables, of axis parallel to the second direction D2. This slide means 10, 1 1 cooperates with a plane of the tool 4, so as to support the tool 4 and above all to allow easy movement of the tool 4 and guided along D2, during a tool change. .

As more particularly visible in Figure 7, a tool 4 comprises a fixed part 12 and a movable part 13 relative to the fixed part 12. This mobility takes place in the first direction D1, for example by means of at least one translational guide means and allows the shaping of the tubular element 2. The fixed part 13 is advantageously used, in connection with the first slide means 10, 1 1 to move the tool 4. In order to be able to easily move the tool 4 during a tool change, it is useful to immobilize the movable part 13 relative to the fixed part 12. Also, the tool 4 advantageously comprises an immobilizing means 14 of the movable part 13 relative to the fixed part 12. This immobilization is advantageously carried out in a reference position, predetermined and in which the machine 1 can place the actuator 3 so as to allow the engagement of the tool interface 4 with the actuator interface 3. This immobilization means 14 can be indicatively a brake or preferably a pin blocking said at least one guide means of the movable part 13.

[0027] Advantageously, the immobilizing means 14 is a removable element such as a pin.

[0028] According to one characteristic, the machine 1 further advantageously comprises a lockout plate 15. This lockout plate 15 is able to accommodate said removable element of the immobilization means 14 when is removed from the tool 4. Thus, the locking out of the immobilization means 14 on the locking plate 15 is advantageously required to allow movement of the actuator 3. The locking out here makes it possible not to attempt to mobilize the moving part. 13 by acting on the actuator 3, even though it is immobilized. The actuator 3 is for example set in motion by means of a rotary motor 23 and a screw device.

It has been seen that the tool 4 is mobile in the second direction D2. In addition, the mutual engagement of the tool interface 4 with the actuator interface 3 is not locked. Also according to another characteristic, the machine 1 advantageously comprises a locking means 21, 22. This means is controllable between a locked state in which it immobilizes the fixed part 12 of the tool 4 relative to the rest of the machine 1, so to allow an operation of the tool 4 for shaping, and an unlocked state where the tool 4 is movable and can be changed. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6, 7, this locking means 21, 22 comprises at least one cylinder, for example hydraulic, actuating a lever so as to pinch the fixed part 12 against the slide 10, 1 1 and / or the table of the machine 1, so as to perform clamping.

In order to facilitate the management of the tools, according to another characteristic, a tool 4 further comprises an identification means 16. The machine 1 then advantageously comprises a reading means 17 able to read the identification means 16. According to one embodiment, the reading means 17 is integral with the frame of the machine 1 and is arranged so as to be facing the fixed part 12, when the tool 4 is in the working position, in place in the machine 1.

A reading means 17 is present on each machine 1. It is still possible to have a reading means 17 at any other useful place, such as a tool magazine.

The complementary identification 16 and reading means 17 may be RFID (radio frequency identification or in English: Radio Frequency IDentification) according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, more particularly illustrated in Figures 6, 8, the identification means 16 can be a combination of needles whose presence or absence is detectable by corresponding sensors of a reader. Thus the illustrated embodiment has 4 detectors and allows 24 or 16 different tools to be coded.

A tool 4 is a heavy device, weighing on the order of 200 kg. Also according to one characteristic, a machine 1 further comprises a mobile carriage 18. This mobility makes it possible to move a tool 4 from or to a storage location, such as a tool magazine, from or to a machine 1, or even from one machine to another.

As illustrated in Figure 8, such a carriage 18 is shaped to come into contact with the machine 1. It advantageously has a means of locking or securing to the latter in this contact position. It comprises a facing table, at the same height as the table of the machine 1. The carriage 18 advantageously comprises a second slide means 19, 20 similar to the first slide means 10, 1 1. This means 19, 20, when the carriage 18 is in contact and possibly secured to the rest of the machine 1, is located opposite the first slide means 10, 1 1. This allows easy transfer of the tool 4 from or to the table of the machine 1.

According to another feature, the machine 1 is shaped so as to have a loading distance, that is to say a distance between the first direction D1, coinciding with the working axis of the tool, and the side of the machine 1 by which it is supplied with tubular element 2, less than 500 mm. This advantageously allows an operator, during a manual loading of tubular element 2, to approach sufficiently to carry out the loading with ease. Preferably, this loading distance is between 150 and 500 mm.

The invention also relates to a method for removing a tool 4 from a machine 1 according to any of the embodiments described above, comprising the following steps. During a first step, the actuator 3 is moved so as to place the tool 4 in the reference position. In this reference position, the tool 4 (its mobile part 13) can be immobilized by means of the immobilization means 14, during a second step. To do this, the immobilization means 14 is advantageously removed from the lockout plate 15, which prevents any subsequent movement of the actuator 3. During a third step, an empty carriage (without tools) is approached. , set up opposite the rest of the machine 1 and, if necessary locked. During a fourth step, the locking means 21, 22 are unlocked to release the tool 4. The tool 4 can then be moved towards the carriage 18 during a fifth step. In a sixth step, the carriage 18 may be unlocked so that it can be moved aside.

[0037] The invention also relates to a process, substantially the reverse, for setting up tool 4 on a machine 1 according to any one of the embodiments described above, comprising the following steps. During first step, a carriage 18 containing a tool 4 is put in place and, if necessary, locked opposite the rest of the machine 1. During a second step, the tool 4 is moved from the carriage 18 to the rest of the machine 1. An optional damper 24 advantageously stops the tool 4 at the end of the travel of this movement. The interface of the tool 4 engages the interface of the actuator 3 which had remained in the reference position. During a third step, the locking means 21, 22 are actuated in order to immobilize the tool 4. During its transport, the tool 4 was immobilized. A fourth step consists in removing the immobilization means 14 and optionally in recording it on the recording plate 15. The machine 1 is then operational for shaping.

[0038] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Many variant embodiments are possible.

List of reference signs

• 1: machine,

• 2: tubular element,

• 3: actuator,

• 4: tool,

• 5, 6: interface profiles,

• 7, 8: 1 st and 2 nd profile portions,

• 9: cutting,

• 10, 1 1: medium machine slide,

• 12: fixed part,

• 13: mobile part,

• 14: means of immobilization,

• 15: lockout plate,

• 16: means of identification,

• 17: reading medium,

• 18: carriage,

• 19, 20: medium slide slide,

• 21, 22: locking means,

• 23: motor,

• 24: shock absorber.

Claims

1. Machine (1) for shaping a tubular element (2), comprising an actuator (3) capable of moving a tool (4) in translation in a first direction (D1), characterized in that an interface of the actuator (3) and an interface of the tool (4) have, in a section plane comprising the first direction (D1), complementary profiles (5, 6) comprising at least a first portion (7) and at least a second portion (8) secant to the first direction (D1) and normals of opposite directions, so as to allow a transmission of a force in the first direction (D1) in both directions and a change of tool (4) by a relative translation in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (D1).

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein an internal interface (3, 4) among the interface of the actuator (3) and the interface of the tool (4) has a male shape, advantageously of revolution. relative to the first direction (D1) and an external interface (4, 3) among the interface of the actuator (3) and the interface of the tool (4) has a female shape surrounding the shape of the first interface (3, 4), except on at least one cutout (9) in the second direction (D2) of the first interface (3, 4) on the second interface (4, 3).

3. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first direction (D1) is vertical.

4. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tool (4) comprises a fixed part (12) and a movable part (13) relative to the fixed part (12) in the first direction (D1). , and a means (14) for immobilizing the mobile part (13) relative to the fixed part (12) in a reference position.

5. Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a lockout plate (15) adapted to accommodate the immobilization means (14) when it is removed from the tool (4), the lockout means immobilization (14) on the lockout plate (15) being necessary to allow movement of the actuator (3).

6. Machine (1) according to any one of the two preceding claims, further comprising a locking means (21, 22) capable of selectively immobilizing the fixed part (12) of the tool (4) relative to the rest of the machine. (1).

7. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where a tool (4) further comprises identification means (16) and where the machine (1) further comprises reading means (17) capable of reading. the identification means (16).

8. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the first direction (D1) and a side of the machine (1) by which the machine (1) is supplied with tubular element is less than 500. mm, preferably between 150 and 500 mm.