Forming method of aluminum pipe fitting

Abstract

The invention discloses a forming method of an aluminum pipe fitting, which comprises the following steps of: shearing a part of a raw material as a blank through shearing equipment; the method further comprises a pre-shaping step, and the pre-shaping step comprises the steps that a clamp is used for clamping the blank, the blank is placed in an induction device, and a trimming assembly in the induction device trims the end face of the blank to be flat; the method further comprises a cold heading forming step, wherein the blank with the flattened end face is formed through a cold heading technology. The problem that the end face of the blank sheared by the cold header is poor in smoothness can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of cold heading processing, and in particular to a forming method of an aluminum pipe fitting. Background Art

[0002] Aluminum alloy materials have lower hardness than other commonly used cold heading materials. The surface finish of the blanks cut by the cold heading machine is not good, which is mainly manifested in the uneven end face of the blanks, accompanied by the appearance of potholes. This phenomenon cannot be eliminated after several subsequent shaping and forming stations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a forming method for aluminum pipe fittings, which is used to eliminate the problem of poor end surface finish of blanks cut by a cold heading machine.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a forming method for aluminum pipe fittings, including a die cutting step, in which a portion of the raw material is cut as a blank by a shearing device; a pre-shaping step, in which the blank is clamped with a clamp and placed in an induction device, and a trimming component in the induction device flattens the end face of the blank; and a cold heading forming step, in which the blank with the flattened end face is formed by a cold heading process.

[0005] Compared with the existing technology, the present invention has the following advantages: by adding a pre-shaping step after the die shearing step and utilizing the trimming components in the induction device to smooth the end surface of the blank, it can effectively address the unevenness and pitting of the blank end surface caused by the low hardness of aluminum alloy materials during the shearing process in the cold heading machine. This method ensures that the blank has good surface quality before entering the subsequent processing stages. Moreover, the blank treated in the pre-shaping step can better maintain its shape and dimensional accuracy during the subsequent cold heading forming step, thereby improving the quality and consistency of the final product and reducing the product rejection rate caused by initial blank defects.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the clamp is made of a polymer material. Using a polymer material as a clamp can effectively avoid damage to the surface of the aluminum blank. At the same time, the polymer material has good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, which can extend the service life of the clamp and reduce maintenance costs.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-shaping step includes a rotation step, during which the blank is placed on a rotating assembly of an induction device, which then rotates the blank. Including a rotation step in the pre-shaping step, in which the rotating assembly of the induction device rotates the blank, allows for a more uniform and precise trimming process. This method not only ensures consistent end face trimming but also improves efficiency and accommodates the processing needs of blanks of varying shapes and sizes.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-shaping step includes a flattening step, in which a trimming assembly within the sensing device flattens the end surface of the rotating blank. Using the trimming assembly within the sensing device to flatten the end surface of the rotating blank significantly improves the flatness and finish of the blank end surface, resolving the unevenness that occurs after shearing in the cold heading machine, and providing higher-quality starting material for subsequent forming processes.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-shaping step includes an ejection step, in which the blank on the rotating assembly is ejected forward so that the end surface of the blank contacts the blade of the trimming assembly. The rotating assembly ejects the blank forward so that the end surface contacts the blade of the trimming assembly. This method ensures uniform pressure distribution during each trimming operation, which is conducive to obtaining a smoother, more flawless end surface. It also facilitates automated operation and improves production efficiency.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cold heading step includes a stretching step, in which a channel is stretched in the blank using a cold heading machine. The stretching step within the cold heading step, in which a channel is stretched in the blank using a cold heading machine, is not only suitable for manufacturing pipes with various complex structures, but also reduces weight while maintaining product strength, meeting the needs of different application scenarios.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cold heading step further includes a pre-stretching step, wherein the blank undergoes the pre-stretching step before the stretching step. During the pre-stretching step, a shallow dent is formed on the end surface of the blank using a cold heading machine. This pre-stretching step, which creates a shallow dent on the end surface of the blank before the formal stretching step, helps pre-adjust the internal stress distribution of the material, reduces the risk of cracks or deformation during the forming process, and improves the quality and stability of the final product.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the blank is flipped after the pre-stretching step before the stretching step. This processing method can further optimize the stress state of the material, ensure uniform force during the stretching process, and prevent material deviation or uneven thickness caused by unidirectional stretching, thereby improving the yield rate and product quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the process of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific implementation methods. It should be noted that, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0015] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for directional words, such as the terms "center", "horizontal", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like, indicating directions and positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and cannot be understood as limiting the specific scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present invention are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0017] The terms "comprises" and "having" and any variations thereof in the description and claims of the present invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, product or apparatus.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, a forming method for aluminum pipe fittings includes a die cutting step, in which a portion of the raw material is cut as a blank by a shearing device; a pre-shaping step, in which the blank is clamped with a clamp and placed in an induction device, and a trimming component in the induction device flattens the end face of the blank; and a cold heading forming step, in which the blank with the flattened end face is formed by a cold heading process.

[0019] Shearing: A shearing device is used to cut a portion of the raw material to form the blank. The shearing device provides precise cutting capabilities, ensuring that the sheared blank meets the dimensions required for subsequent processing. Before shearing, the raw material must be inspected to ensure that there are no obvious surface defects and that the material quality meets process requirements. Pre-shaping: A clamp is used to grasp the sheared blank and accurately place it into the induction device. The trimming component in the induction device smoothes the end surface of the blank to remove burrs or unevenness that may have occurred during the shearing process, ensuring accuracy for subsequent processing. The trimming component can use a high-speed grinding wheel or other appropriate tool to achieve smooth end surface grinding. During the smoothing process, the trimming component's operating parameters (such as rotation speed and feed rate) must be carefully controlled to avoid excessive wear or damage to the blank. Cold heading: The trimmed blank is fed into a cold heading machine for cold heading. The cold heading process involves plastically deforming metal materials under pressure at room temperature, forming the desired shape. During the cold heading process, the structure and parameters of the mold are adjusted according to the design requirements to ensure that the final product meets the expected size and shape standards.

[0020] Furthermore, the clamp is made of a polymer material. Using a polymer material for the clamp effectively prevents damage to the aluminum blank surface. Polymer materials also offer excellent wear and corrosion resistance, extending the clamp's service life and reducing maintenance costs. The clamp used in the pre-shaping step is made of a polymer material based on its protective properties for the aluminum blank surface. The clamp material can be, but is not limited to, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0021] Furthermore, the pre-shaping step includes a rotation step, during which the blank is placed on a rotating assembly of the induction device, which then rotates the blank. This includes a rotation step, which is driven by the rotating assembly of the induction device, making the trimming process more uniform and precise. This method not only ensures consistent end face trimming but also improves work efficiency and accommodates the processing needs of blanks of varying shapes and sizes.

[0022] Furthermore, the pre-shaping step includes a flattening step, in which a trimming assembly within the sensing device flattens the end surface of the rotating blank. This flattening process significantly improves the flatness and finish of the blank's end surface, resolving the unevenness that occurs after shearing in the cold heading machine and providing higher-quality starting material for subsequent forming processes.

[0023] Furthermore, the pre-shaping step includes an ejection step, in which the blank on the rotating assembly is ejected forward so that the end surface of the blank contacts the blade of the trimming assembly. The rotating assembly ejects the blank forward so that its end surface contacts the blade of the trimming assembly. This method ensures uniform pressure distribution during each trimming operation, which is conducive to obtaining a smoother, flawless end surface. It also facilitates automated operation and improves production efficiency.

[0024] The sensing device includes a position sensor, a rotating assembly, a trimming assembly, and a laser sensor. The rotating assembly includes a motor and a shaft mounted on the motor. When the blank is placed on the shaft through the clamp, the position sensor senses the blank's position and activates the motor to drive the shaft forward and rotate. The shaft drives the blank forward and rotates. When the laser sensor senses the blank's rotation, it activates the trimming assembly, which then flattens the end face of the blank. The position sensor is electrically connected to the rotating assembly, and the trimming assembly is electrically connected to the laser sensor.

[0025] Furthermore, the cold heading step includes a stretching step, in which a channel is stretched in the blank using a cold heading machine. This stretching step within the cold heading step, in which a channel is stretched in the blank using a cold heading machine, is not only suitable for manufacturing pipes with various complex structures, but also reduces weight while maintaining product strength, meeting the needs of different application scenarios.

[0026] Furthermore, the cold heading process also includes a pre-stretching step, where the blank undergoes the pre-stretching step before the stretching step. During the pre-stretching step, a shallow dent is formed on the end face of the blank using a cold heading machine. This pre-stretching step, prior to the formal stretching step, helps pre-adjust the material's internal stress distribution, reduces the risk of cracks or deformation during the forming process, and improves the quality and stability of the final product.

[0027] Furthermore, the blank after the pre-stretching step is flipped before the stretching step. This processing method can further optimize the stress state of the material, ensure uniform force during the stretching process, and prevent material deviation or uneven thickness caused by unidirectional stretching, thereby improving the yield rate and product quality.

[0028] The above describes the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. The foregoing embodiments and description merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed by the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for forming an aluminum pipe, characterized in that include: Cutting step: Cut a part of the raw material as blank by shearing equipment; Pre-shaping step: Use a clamp to grab the blank and place it into the induction device. The trimming component in the induction device will flatten the end surface of the blank. Cold heading forming steps: The blank with flat end surface is formed by cold heading process.

2. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp is made of polymer material.

3. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 1, wherein: The pre-shaping step includes a rotating step, in which the blank is placed on a rotating component of the induction device, and the rotating component drives the blank to rotate.

4. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 3, wherein: The pre-shaping step includes a scraping step, in which a trimming component in the induction device scrapes the end surface of the rotating blank.

5. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pre-shaping step includes an ejection step, in which the blank on the rotating component is ejected forward so that the end surface of the blank can touch the blade of the trimming component.

6. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 1, wherein: The cold heading forming step includes a stretching step, in which a channel is stretched out in the blank by a cold heading machine.

7. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cold heading forming step also includes a pre-stretching step, and the blank is subjected to the stretching step after the pre-stretching step; in the pre-stretching step, a shallow pit is forged on the end face of the blank by a cold heading machine.

8. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 7, characterized in that: After the pre-stretching step, the blank is turned over and then subjected to the stretching step.

9. The method for forming an aluminum pipe according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing device includes a position sensor, a rotating component, a trimming component and a laser sensor. The rotating component includes a motor and a shaft on the motor. The position sensor is electrically connected to the motor, and the trimming component is electrically connected to the laser sensor.

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