Device for machining pipes and profiles, having system for detecting position of tail end of pipe or profile to be machined

Abstract

The present application relates to a device for processing tubes and profiles (T), comprising: a working head; a holding device (16, 18) configured to hold a tube or profile (T) to be processed at a tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T) to be processed opposite a front end (LE) of the tube or profile (T) facing the working head, said holding device (16, 18) defining a feed axis (x) of the apparatus and comprising a tube holding bracket (16) configured to hold the tube or profile (T) at the tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T) to be processed opposite the front end (LE) of the tube or profile (T) facing the working head; the tube holding bracket is adapted to translate along the feed axis (x) between a maximum advanced position (i.e., a position at a minimum distance from the working head (12)) and a maximum retracted position (i.e., a position at a maximum distance from the working head (12)); a loading device configured to each support a pipe or profile (T) to be processed in a loading position, in which a longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile (T) is arranged parallel but spaced apart from the feed axis (x), and to transfer the pipe or profile (T) from the loading position to a working position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile (T) is arranged parallel but spaced apart from the feed axis (x). The longitudinal axis of the tube or profile (T) is arranged in alignment with the feed axis (x) such that the tube or profile is held by the holding means (16, 18); a first sensor device (24) mounted on the tube holding bracket (16) and configured to detect, when the tube holding bracket (16) is moved rearward along the feed axis (x) from a maximum advanced position to a maximum retracted position, a condition reaching a tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T) with the tube or profile (T) placed in the loading position, and a second sensor device (24) mounted on the tube holding bracket (16) and configured to detect, when the tube or profile (T) is moved rearward along the feed axis (x) from the maximum advanced position to the maximum retracted position, a condition reaching the tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T); and a control unit configured to control the translational movement of the tube holding bracket (16) along the feed axis (x), said control unit being connected to the first sensor means (24) so as to be able to determine the axial position of the tail end (TE) of the tube (T) on the basis of a signal provided by the first sensor means (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing pipes and profiles, such as an apparatus for cutting or welding pipes and profiles (in particular, although not necessarily, by means of a laser beam), having the type specified in the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a pipe and profile processing equipment, which is equipped with a detection system configured to detect the position of the tail end of the pipe or profile to be processed, that is, the position of the end of the pipe to be processed opposite to the end facing the working head of the equipment. Background Technology

[0003] Pipe and profile processing equipment of the type specified in the preamble of independent claim 1 is known, for example, from CN 204 035 798 U.

[0004] Typically, in pipe and profile processing equipment, especially in pipe and profile laser cutting or welding equipment, the pipe or profile to be processed is initially placed in the loading position on the equipment. In the loading position, the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile is arranged parallel to but spaced apart from the feed axis (or working axis) of the equipment. It is then transferred from the loading position to the working position, where the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile is aligned with the feed axis of the equipment. When the pipe or profile is positioned in the working position, the equipment's pipe holding bracket is equipped with a holding device configured to hold the pipe or profile at its tail end each time. The pipe holding bracket is mounted to be able to translate along the feed axis of the equipment, allowing the pipe holding bracket to hold the tail end of the pipe and gradually advance it along the feed axis toward the working head of the equipment. The pipe holding bracket is adapted to translate along the feed axis between a maximum retracted position and a maximum forward position; in the maximum retracted position, it is located at the maximum distance from the working head to hold the pipe or profile to be processed at its tail end; in the maximum forward position, it is located at the minimum distance from the working head to bring the end section of the pipe or profile being processed (i.e., the section of the pipe or profile near its tail end) into the working area, where this section can be processed by the working head. Therefore, in each work cycle of the equipment, the pipe holding bracket starts from the maximum retracted position, advances along the feed axis toward the working head until it reaches the maximum forward position, and when the processing of the pipe or profile is complete, it is moved backward until it returns to the maximum retracted position to hold a new pipe or profile to be processed.

[0005] To allow the tube holding bracket to hold the tail end of the tube or profile to be processed, the equipment is typically equipped with a detection system, including, for example, a photocell, positioned in the front region of the tube holding bracket, specifically in the area facing the working head, particularly slightly forward (e.g., a few centimeters) of the holding mechanism. In this case, a maximum retraction position of the tube holding bracket is established to ensure that, in this position, when the tube or profile to be processed is moved from the loading position to the working position, the holding mechanism of the tube holding bracket is at a safe distance from the tail end of the tube or profile. This maximum retraction position may even be on the order of 1-2 meters from the tail end of the tube or profile. At this point, when the tube or profile is in the working position, the tube holding bracket is slowly moved forward, and the photocell mounted on the tube holding bracket is used to detect the tail end of the tube or profile. Once the phototube detects the tail end of the tube or profile, the tube retaining bracket will advance a distance (this distance is precisely known because it is determined by the position of the phototube relative to the retaining device of the tube retaining bracket), sufficient to bring the retaining device to a position where it can clamp the tube or profile at the tail end. Tube and profile processing equipment equipped with such a detection system is disclosed, for example, in CN 211 804 434U.

[0006] However, this method of controlling the relative position of the support bracket with respect to the tail end of the tube or profile to be processed has the disadvantage of being time-consuming, resulting in longer cycle times. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus for processing pipes and profiles that can reduce the time required for the pipe holding bracket to hold the pipe or profile to be processed from the time the pipe or profile is placed in the working position.

[0008] According to the invention, this and other objectives are fully achieved by the pipe and profile processing equipment as defined in the appended independent claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specifically described in the dependent claims, the contents of which should be considered as forming part of the description below.

[0010] In summary, the present invention is based on the concept of providing a detection system for an equipment, the detection system including a sensor device arranged on the side of a pipe holding bracket facing the loading position of the pipe or profile, and configured to determine the position of the tail end of the pipe or profile to be processed when the pipe holding bracket is moved backward along the feed axis of the equipment during its movement from the maximum forward position to the maximum retracted position.

[0011] With this detection system, the axial position of the tail end of the pipe or profile to be processed is determined during the movement of the pipe holding bracket from the maximum forward position back to the maximum retracted position, thus eliminating the need to spend time specifically for performing this operation. Since the axial position of the tail end of the pipe or profile to be processed is known, the pipe holding bracket can be positioned closer to that end in the initial working position, thereby reducing the travel required for the pipe holding bracket to move from the maximum retracted position to the pipe or profile holding position. Furthermore, since the axial position of the tail end of the pipe or profile to be processed is already accurately known when the pipe holding bracket is in the maximum retracted position, the movement of the pipe holding bracket from the maximum retracted position to the pipe or profile holding position can be accelerated.

[0012] Furthermore, this detection system enables precise measurement of the length of the tube or profile to be processed by detecting the moment when the tip of the tube or profile reaches a given point, typically located near the working area of ​​the equipment, using a phototube (or other device). In fact, once the initial axial position of the tail end of the tube or profile to be processed is known using the detection system according to the invention, the axial position of the tail end of the tube or profile when the tip is detected by the phototube near the working area can be determined. Therefore, the length of the tube or profile to be processed is derived from the distance between the axial position of the phototube when the tip is detected and the axial position of the tail end of the tube or profile. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, by way of non-limiting example only, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a pipe and profile processing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figures 2 to 7 This is a schematic floor plan showing the layout of the building. Figure 1 Methods for detecting the axial position of the tail end of a pipe and measuring its length in equipment; and

[0016] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A magnified view of detail A. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In the following description and claims, the terms "longitudinal" and "axial" are used to identify directions that coincide with or are parallel to the feed axis (or working axis) of the device, while the term "lateral" is used to identify directions located in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis of the device.

[0018] First refer to Figure 1The apparatus for processing pipes and profiles according to the invention is generally designated as 10. In the example presented here, the apparatus is for cutting (particularly for laser cutting) pipes and profiles, but the invention is equally applicable to other types of pipe and profile processing equipment.

[0019] The apparatus 10 includes a working head 12 in a manner known per se, adapted to perform machining operations on tubular or profiled materials, such as by means of a focused laser beam. In this example, such machining operations include cutting operations, but they may also include other operations, such as welding operations. The apparatus 10 is capable of machining tubular materials with cross-sectional shapes of any shape (e.g., circular, square, or rectangular) and profiles of any shape (e.g., C-profiles, T-profiles, IPE profiles, HEA profiles, etc.). For convenience, the term "tubular material" will be used only in the following description, but it should be understood that the explanations herein also apply to cases where the apparatus is used to machine profiles.

[0020] The working head 12 is carried by a drive system (not shown in the figure, but of a known type) adapted to move the head in one or more degrees of freedom, thereby enabling the device to perform the desired machining operations on the tube.

[0021] Near the working head 12, in this example immediately upstream, a support mechanism 14 is provided. This support mechanism is adapted to support the pipe being processed in a section near the working area and also allows the pipe to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The support mechanism 14 can even be arranged immediately downstream of the working head 12. In a manner known per se, the support mechanism 14 can be fixed, i.e., fixed relative to the foundation structure of the device 10, or movable along the longitudinal axis of the pipe when it is in the working position.

[0022] The device 10 also includes a pipe holding bracket 16, which is provided with a holding device 18, which is configured at the end of the pipe that operates with the working head 12 (the front end). Figures 2 to 8 (represented by LE in Chinese) the opposite end (tail end, in Figures 2 to 7 The tube is held at a location indicated by TE. This type of holding device defines the feed axis (or working axis) x of the equipment, and during processing, the longitudinal axis of the tube is aligned with this feed axis.

[0023] Also refer to Figures 2 to 4 The pipe to be processed (denoted by T in these figures) is initially placed in the loading position, where its longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to but spaced apart from the feed axis x of the device 10. In this position, the pipe T is supported on multiple loading mechanisms 20 of the device 10 (only in...). Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram). In order to be processed by the working head 12, the pipe T is then transferred by a suitable transfer mechanism 22 (also only in...). Figure 1(As shown in the diagram) The tube is transferred from the loading position to the working position, in which the longitudinal axis of the tube is aligned with the feed axis x of the device 10. At this time, the tube T is held by the holding device 18 of the tube holding bracket 16 to advance along the feed axis x during processing and, if necessary, to rotate about that axis. A support mechanism 14 located near the working head 12 supports and guides the tube T being processed, keeping its longitudinal axis aligned with the feed axis x.

[0024] To hold the pipe T being processed and to advance it along the feed axis x toward the working head 12, the pipe holding bracket 16 moves along the feed axis x between a maximum retracted position (at the maximum retracted position, which is at the maximum distance from the working head 12) and a maximum forward position (at the maximum forward position, which is at the minimum distance from the working head 12). Once the processing of the pipe is complete, the pipe holding bracket 16 is returned to the maximum retracted position so that another pipe (which has been brought to the loading position during the processing of the previous pipe) can be transferred from the loading position to the working position.

[0025] The device 10 is equipped with a first sensor device configured to detect the position of the end TE of the pipe T when the pipe holding bracket 16 is moved backward along the feed axis x from the maximum forward position to the maximum retracted position, and the pipe T to be processed is placed in the loading position. This allows for the detection of the axial position (i.e., the position along the feed axis x) of that end. Therefore, in general, the first sensor device can distinguish the presence or absence of the pipe T in the loading position beside the pipe holding bracket 16 while the pipe holding bracket 16 is moved backward along the feed axis x.

[0026] The first sensor device preferably includes a non-contact sensor 24. Sensor 24 may be a distance sensor (or rangefinder), such as a time-of-flight distance sensor, configured to measure the distance to the pipe T when the pipe T is in the loading position (and therefore beside the pipe holding bracket 16). In addition to a distance sensor, a proximity sensor, capable of providing a signal indicating the presence or absence of the pipe, may also be used. Sensor 24 is suitably connected to the control unit of device 10 so that the control unit can manage the process of holding the pipe T via the holding device 18 of the pipe holding bracket 16 based on the signal transmitted by the sensor.

[0027] With the pipe T to be processed positioned in the loading position, sensor 24 is mounted on the side of pipe holder 16 facing the pipe itself. In the example presented here, the pipe in the loading position is arranged on the right side of device 10 relative to the feed axis x (according to the view of a person looking from pipe holder 16 towards work head 12), and sensor 24 is placed on the right side of pipe holder 16. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, sensor 24 is mounted on arm 26, which in turn is mounted on pipe holder 16 so as to move integrally with pipe holder 16 along feed axis x. Arm 26 may be fixed or movable between an operating position and a non-operating position; in the operating position, it extends laterally from pipe holder 16 to enable sensor 24 to perform its pipe detection function; in the non-operating position, it retracts or folds from the operating position to limit the overall lateral space occupied by pipe holder 16.

[0028] In addition, such as Figure 8 As can be better observed in the detailed drawings, the device 10 is provided with a second sensor device, which is mounted on a component of the device, particularly on a component located near the working area of ​​the device 10 (i.e., near the area where the working head 12 operates in the device), and is configured to detect the tip LE of the tube T to be processed due to the relative movement of the tube T with respect to the component along the feed axis x.

[0029] In the proposed embodiment, the second sensor device is mounted on the support mechanism 14, specifically for determining the moment when the front end LE of the tube T leaves the through opening 28 in the support mechanism 14. However, they can also be mounted on another component of the device, whether it is a fixed component or a component like the support mechanism 14 that has controlled translational movement along the feed axis x.

[0030] The second sensor device includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor (or phototube) having a transmitter 30 capable of emitting a light beam L and a receiver 32 capable of receiving the light beam L emitted by the transmitter 30. In this case, the transmitter 30 and receiver 32 will be appropriately arranged such that when the tube T passes through the plane containing the light beam L, the light beam L emitted by the transmitter 30 illuminates the tube T. In the example presented here, the transmitter 30 and receiver 32 are mounted on the vertical front 14a of the support mechanism 14, on opposite sides in the direction relative to the diameter of the through opening 28, such that the light beam L emitted by the transmitter 30 intersects the feed axis x.

[0031] The operation of device 10 will now be described in detail, with reference to the functions of the first and second sensor devices described above.

[0032] Figure 2The diagram illustrates a state where, with the tube T positioned in the loading position, the tube holding bracket 16 is moved along the feed axis x from the maximum forward position to the maximum retracted position. During this phase, the sensor 24 is driven to connect with the tube holding bracket 16 and thus moves parallel to the feed axis x (and consequently parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube T) together with the tube holding bracket 16. The sensor 24 continuously detects the distance to the lateral surface of the tube T.

[0033] Once sensor 24 reaches the end TE of pipe T ( Figure 3 The control unit of device 10 detects a sudden change in the distance detected by sensor 24 and interprets it as a condition of reaching the tail end TE, thereby storing the axial position reached by sensor 24 at this time (and therefore, given the known axial distance between the holding device 18 of tube holding bracket 16 and sensor 24, the axial position reached by holding device 18 at this time is also stored).

[0034] At this point, the pipe retaining bracket 16 is moved further back until the retaining device 18 is brought to a certain distance from the tail end TE of the pipe T, such as... Figure 4 As shown. Since the control unit of the equipment now knows precisely the position of the tail end TE of the pipe T, it is able to control this further rearward movement of the pipe retaining bracket 16 to minimize the distance between the retaining device 18 and the tail end TE. Such a distance can be on the order of centimeters or tens of centimeters, and is therefore at least an order of magnitude lower than the distance at which the pipe retaining bracket is positioned in the current equipment.

[0035] The pipe retainer 16 is now in its maximum retracted position. With the pipe retainer 16 fixed in this position, the pipe T is transferred from the loading position to the working position. Figure 5 ).

[0036] Then, the pipe retainer 16 advances toward the pipe T until the retaining device 18 is brought into contact with the tail end TE of the pipe. Figure 6 ).

[0037] At this point, according to the embodiment, the support mechanism 14 is moved along the feed axis x toward the tube T, that is, it is moved backward until the front end LE of the tube T intercepts the light beam L emitted by the emitter 30 of the photoelectric sensor mounted on the support mechanism 14. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Since the axial position of the support mechanism 14 (and therefore the axial position of the vertical transverse plane in which the beam L emitted by the transmitter 30 is located) is known at this time, the control unit of the device 10 can determine the length of the tube T by the difference between the axial position of the front end LE and the axial position of the tail end TE.

[0038] When the support mechanism 14 is fixed (rather than movable along the feed axis x), or more generally, when the photoelectric sensor is mounted on a fixed part of the device, the forward movement of the tube T controlled by the tube holding bracket 16 will at some point cause the leading edge LE of the tube T to intercept the beam L emitted by the transmitter 30. This is achieved by detecting when the tube holding bracket 16 moves from... Figure 6 The distance the tube T has advanced is shown, and the axial position of the beam L is known by knowing the axial position of the tail end TE of the tube T and the axial (fixed) position of the support mechanism 14 (or more generally, the part of the device equipped with a photoelectric sensor). The control unit can then determine the length of the tube T by the difference between the axial position of the front end LE and the axial position of the tail end TE.

[0039] The present invention has been described herein with reference to its possible embodiments. It should be understood that other embodiments are conceivable that share the same inventive core as those described herein, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing pipes and profiles (T), comprising: - The working device (12) is arranged to perform machining operations on the pipe or profile (T), such as cutting and / or welding operations; - A holding device (16, 18) is configured to hold the pipe or profile (T) to be processed at the tail end (TE) opposite the front end (LE) of the pipe or profile (T) facing the working device (12), and to move the pipe or profile (T) towards the working device (12). The holding device (16, 18) defines the feed axis (x) of the device and includes a pipe holding bracket (16) adapted to translate along the feed axis (x) between a maximum forward position and a maximum retraction position, the maximum forward position being the position with the smallest distance from the working device (12) and the maximum retraction position being the position with the largest distance from the working device (12); and - Loading devices (20, 22) are configured to support the pipe or profile (T) to be processed in a loading position each time, in which the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile (T) is arranged parallel to but spaced apart from the feed axis (x), and to transfer the pipe or profile (T) from the loading position to a working position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile (T) is arranged aligned with the feed axis (x) so that the pipe or profile is held by the holding devices (16, 18) and moves the pipe or profile forward along the feed axis (x) toward the working device (12); The device is characterized by further comprising: - A first sensor device (24), mounted on a tube holding bracket (16), is configured to detect the condition of the first sensor device (24) reaching the tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T) when the tube holding bracket (16) is moved backward along the feed axis (x) from the maximum forward position to the maximum retract position, and the tube or profile (T) is placed in the loading position; and - A control unit is arranged to control the translational movement of the tube holding bracket (16) along the feed axis (x), the control unit being connected to the first sensor device (24) so ​​as to be able to determine the position of the tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T) along the feed axis (x) based on the signal provided by the first sensor device (24).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, When the pipe or profile (T) is placed in the loading position, the first sensor device (24) is mounted on the side of the pipe holding bracket (16) facing the pipe or profile (T).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first sensor device (24) includes a non-contact sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The non-contact sensor is a distance sensor, particularly a time-of-flight distance sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The non-contact sensor is a proximity sensor.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The first sensor device (24) is mounted on an arm (26), which is in turn mounted on a tube holding bracket (16) so as to move together with the tube holding bracket along the feed axis (x), wherein the arm (26) is fixed or movable between an operating position and a non-operating position; in the operating position, the arm (26) extends laterally from the tube holding bracket (16); in the non-operating position, the arm (26) is retracted or folded from the operating position.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a second sensor device (30, 32), which is mounted on a component (14) of the device, particularly on a component placed near the working device (12), and is configured to detect the front end (LE) of the pipe or profile (T) due to movement of the pipe or profile (T) relative to the component (14) along the feed axis (x), and to provide a corresponding signal to the control unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The second sensor device (30, 32) includes a photoelectric sensor having a transmitter (30) and a receiver (32) mounted on the component (14), wherein the transmitter (30) is arranged to emit a light beam (L) which is directed to be intercepted by the front end (LE) of the tube or profile (T) due to the movement of the tube or profile (T) relative to the component (14) along the feed axis (x), and wherein the receiver (32) is arranged to receive the light beam (L) emitted by the transmitter (30).

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein, The component (14) is a support mechanism arranged to support the tube or profile (T) during processing. The support mechanism is specifically mounted to be able to translate along the feed axis (x) under the control of the control unit to move along the axis.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The control unit is configured to determine the length of the tube or profile (T) based on signals provided by the first sensor device (24) and the second sensor device (30, 32).

11. A method for determining the position of the tail end (TE) of a pipe or profile (T) to be processed in an apparatus for processing pipes and profiles (T) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: - With the pipe or profile (T) placed in the loading position, the pipe holding bracket (16) is moved along the feed axis (x) of the equipment; and - While the tube retaining bracket (16) is moved toward the maximum retraction position, the first sensor device (24) detects the condition of the first sensor device (24) reaching the tail end (TE) of the tube or profile (T).

Images