Optical measurement auxiliary device for automatic pipe bending

Abstract

The invention provides an optical measurement auxiliary device for an automatic bent pipe. The optical measurement auxiliary device comprises a supporting base, a rotating disc, a rotating disc track, a contraction feeding rod and a clamping part, the clamping part is mounted at one end of the contraction feeding rod and is used for clamping a bent pipe; the other end of the contraction feeding rod is fixed on the rotating disc and can drive the clamping part to extend and contract; the rotating disc is mounted on the rotating disc track through a track sliding block, and drives a contraction feeding rod and a clamping part on the rotating disc to linearly move along the rotating disc track and circumferentially rotate around a fixed end on the track sliding block, so that the clamped elbow is fed into and moved out of a measuring area of the measuring machine box body; the rotating disc track is installed on the supporting base, and the supporting base provides supporting for assemblies on the supporting base to reach the needed height. According to the device, the bent pipe can be smoothly fed into the box body of the optical measuring machine, only the transparent clamping part enters the box body of the optical measuring machine, and the problem that when a robot is clamped into the measuring box, a linear section and a bent part are shielded, and a measuring machine cannot achieve measurement is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automated pipe bending measurement technology, and specifically relates to an optical measurement auxiliary device for automated pipe bending. Background Technology

[0002] Currently mature methods for measuring the shape of bent pipes include using dedicated fixtures, using articulated measuring machines (MMMs) with pipe forks, and using multiple cameras for optical measurement. Dedicated fixtures are unsuitable for a wide variety of bent pipe products due to their limited flexibility; articulated measuring machines require manual handling and cannot achieve automated measurement; optical measurement allows for automated measurement with the assistance of robots, enabling automatic measurement, interpretation, and feedback of results to the central control system in automated production lines. Optical measuring machines, such as Hexagon's TubeInspect 16.2HRC model, typically use multiple cameras positioned at the top and upper sides of the machine housing, with lighting and target points placed at the bottom and lower sides. The bent pipe is placed at the bottom of the housing, and the cameras capture images of the pipe. Dedicated software then extracts the pipe shape data. Because optical measuring machines generate data by photographing the bent pipe, clamping fixtures cannot be placed inside the housing, as these can affect the measurement results or cause measurement failure.

[0003] The automated pipe bending production line uses a robot to clamp the bent conduit and directly feed it into the measuring box for measurement. However, due to the large size of the robot's gripper and fixture, when the robot clamps the conduit with a short straight section in the middle into the measuring box, it blocks the straight section and the bent part, making it impossible for the measuring machine to perform the measurement.

[0004] This invention discloses an optical measurement auxiliary device for automated pipe bending. Placed outside the optical measurement machine housing, it allows for pipe clamping exchange with a robot, and can clamp conduits into the housing for pipe shape measurement. The device has a minimum clamping section of 10mm, and the clamping area is made of transparent material, so it does not interfere with the measurement machine's measurement of the pipe shape. This optical measurement auxiliary device solves the problem of automated measurement of short-clamped straight-section pipe bends. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the inventors have conducted intensive research and provided an automated optical measurement auxiliary device for bending pipes. This device solves the problem that when optically measuring small-sized bent pipes with short straight sections, the robot clamps the bent pipe into the measurement box and blocks the straight section and the curved arc section, making it impossible for the optical measuring machine to achieve accurate measurement. This device enables automated measurement of bent pipes with short clamping straight sections ≤10mm.

[0006] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0007] An automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device includes a support base, a rotary disk, a rotary disk track, a retractable feed rod, and a clamping part;

[0008] The clamping part is installed at one end of the retractable feed rod and is used to clamp the bent pipe;

[0009] The other end of the retractable feed rod is fixed to the rotating disk, which can drive the clamping part to extend and retract;

[0010] The rotary disk is mounted on the rotary disk track via a track slider, which drives the retractable feed rod and clamping part to move linearly along the rotary disk track and rotate circumferentially around the fixed end on the track slider, thus feeding the clamped bent tube into and out of the measuring area of ​​the measuring machine housing.

[0011] The rotating disc track is mounted on a support base, which provides support for the components on it to the required height.

[0012] The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] (1) The present invention provides an automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device, which is placed outside the optical measurement machine box. By rotating the rotating disk along the rotating disk track, retracting and extending the feeding rod, and rotating the rotating disk around the fixed end, the bent tube can be smoothly fed into the optical measurement machine box. Only the clamping part enters the optical measurement machine box, which solves the problem that when the robot clamps into the measurement box, the straight section and the curved part are blocked, and the measurement machine cannot perform the measurement.

[0014] (2) The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending provided by the present invention uses acrylic transparent material for the retractable feed rod and clamping part, and the whole is inserted into the measuring box, which will not affect the measurement results and accuracy of the tube bending; and the thickness of the clamping plate of the clamping part is ≤10mm, which realizes the automated measurement of tube bending with the shortest clamping straight section ≤10mm and reduces the obstruction to the tube bending.

[0015] (3) The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated pipe bending provided by the present invention adopts a stepped profile groove for the clamping part, which can realize the clamping of multiple specifications of pipe bending without changing the clamp, thus avoiding the low efficiency caused by multiple changes and the impact of multiple disassembly and assembly on position accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical measurement auxiliary device for automated pipe bending.

[0017] Explanation of icon numbers

[0018] 1-Support base; 2-Rotating disk; 3-Rotating disk track; 4-Retractable feed rod; 5-Clamping part. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer and more apparent from the following detailed description.

[0020] The term “exemplary” as used herein means “serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration.” Any embodiment illustrated herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments.

[0021] See Figure 1 The present invention provides an optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending. The auxiliary measurement device works in conjunction with an optical measuring machine and includes a support base 1, a rotating disk 2, a rotating disk track 3, a retractable feed rod 4, and a clamping part 5.

[0022] The clamping part 5 is installed at one end of the retractable feed rod 4 and is used to clamp the bent pipe;

[0023] The other end of the retractable feed rod 4 is fixed on the rotating disk 2, which can drive the clamping part 5 to extend and retract;

[0024] The rotating disk 2 is mounted on the rotating disk track 3 via a track slider, which drives the retractable feed rod 4 and the clamping part 5 to move linearly along the rotating disk track 3 and rotate circumferentially around the fixed end on the track slider.

[0025] The rotating disk track 3 is mounted on the support base 1, which provides support for the components on it to the required height.

[0026] To simplify height adjustment, the support base 1 is a height-adjustable support base, and the height of the support base 1 is such that the height of the clamping part 5 matches the recommended measurement height inside the optical measuring machine housing.

[0027] The rotating disk 2 rotates circumferentially under the drive of the first driver and moves along the rotating disk track 3 under the drive of the second driver, feeding the clamped bent tube into and out of the measuring area of ​​the measuring machine housing.

[0028] The retractable feed rod 4 is made of transparent acrylic material, which is machined and polished to ensure its light transmittance. This minimizes obstruction of the bent tube when the clamping end extends into the optical measuring machine housing, thus not affecting the measurement results. The retractable feed rod connection uses screws made of the same transparent acrylic material. The length of the retractable feed rod can be adjusted as needed to accommodate different types of bent tubes fed into the optical measuring machine without interfering with the housing. The retractable feed rod 4 is a multi-segment telescopic mechanism, which extends or retracts under the drive of the third actuator.

[0029] The clamping part 5 is made of transparent acrylic material. Two opposing clamping plates have stepped semi-circular grooves. After the fourth drive mechanism drives the two opposing clamping plates closer together, the stepped clamping holes formed by the semi-circular grooves can clamp multiple sizes of bent pipes. The clamping force of the clamping plates on the bent pipe can be adjusted by regulating the compressed air pressure, ensuring stable clamping of the bent pipe while avoiding damage. The thickness of the clamping plates is ≤10mm, achieving clamping of bent pipes with a minimum straight clamping section of ≤10mm and minimizing obstruction of the bent pipe.

[0030] The first and second drivers are electric drive mechanisms such as motors, while the third and fourth drivers are pneumatic drive mechanisms such as cylinders.

[0031] The optical measurement auxiliary device can receive signals sent by the system and complete actions according to the signals. It works with the optical measuring machine and robot to complete the measurement of the bent tube. The action steps are as follows: (1) retract the feed rod to extend and open the clamping part; (2) clamp the bent tube; (3) retract the feed rod to shorten and rotate the rotary table to enter the optical measuring machine housing; (4) retract the feed rod to extend to the appropriate position in the housing and perform the measurement; (5) after the measurement is completed, retract the feed rod to shorten and rotate the rotary table to remove the bent tube from the optical measuring machine housing; (6) retract the feed rod to extend and the robot grabs the bent tube, opens the clamping part, and removes the bent tube.

[0032] The optical measurement auxiliary device of this invention is placed outside the optical measurement machine housing. It can exchange clamping with the robot for bent pipes and can clamp the guide tube into the optical measurement machine housing to realize the measurement of the bent pipe shape. The minimum clamping section of the device is ≤10mm, and the clamping part is made of transparent material, so it does not affect the measuring machine to measure the bent pipe shape. The optical measurement auxiliary device solves the problem of automated measurement of short clamping straight section bent pipes.

[0033] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments and exemplary examples; however, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various equivalent substitutions, modifications, or improvements can be made to the technical solutions and embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0034] The contents not described in detail in this specification are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device, characterized in that, It includes a support base (1), a rotating disk (2), a rotating disk track (3), a retractable feed rod (4), and a clamping part (5); The clamping part (5) is installed at one end of the retractable feed rod (4) and is used to clamp the bent pipe; The other end of the retractable feed rod (4) is fixed on the rotating disk (2), which can drive the clamping part (5) to extend and retract; The rotating disk (2) is mounted on the rotating disk track (3) via the track slider, which drives the retractable feed rod (4) and the clamping part (5) on it to move linearly along the rotating disk track (3) and rotate circumferentially around the fixed end on the track slider, so as to feed the clamping bent tube into and out of the measuring area of ​​the measuring machine box; The rotating disk track (3) is mounted on the support base (1), which provides support for the components on it to the required height.

2. The automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support base (1) is a height-adjustable support base, and the height of the support base (1) is such that the height of the clamping part (5) matches the recommended measurement height inside the optical measuring machine housing.

3. The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating disk (2) rotates circumferentially under the drive of the first driver and moves along the rotating disk track (3) under the drive of the second driver.

4. The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable feed rod (4) is made of transparent acrylic material, and the clamping part (5) is made of transparent acrylic material.

5. The automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable feed rod (4) is a multi-segment telescopic mechanism, which extends or shortens under the drive of the third driver.

6. The optical measurement auxiliary device for automated tube bending according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping part (5) has two opposing clamping pieces with stepped semi-circular grooves. After the fourth driving mechanism drives the two opposing clamping pieces to approach each other, the stepped clamping holes formed by the semi-circular grooves can clamp multiple sizes of bent pipes.

7. The automated tube bending optical measurement auxiliary device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The thickness of the clamping piece is ≤10mm, which satisfies the requirement that the shortest clamping straight section is ≤10mm for clamping bent pipes.

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