Adaptable support element for supporting a tube or profile in a tube and profile processing machine

Abstract

Support element (10) for supporting a tube or profile in a machine (M) for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser processing, of tubes and profiles, wherein the support element (10) comprises: - a main body (14) with a channel-shaped outer section (16) that defines a receiving cavity (12) for the tube or profile, and - an outer layer (18) covering the receiving cavity (12) and designed to come into contact with the tube or profile when it rests on the support element (10), wherein the outer layer (18) is designed as a part separate from and detachably connected to the outer section (16) of the main body (14).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser processing (for example, laser cutting) of tubes and profiles.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a support element for supporting the tube or profile during processing in a machine as described above, wherein the support element preferably has a receiving cavity for the tube or profile which has a profile with variable shape in cross-section, in particular a profile in the form of a round arch with variable radius, so that it can be adapted to tubes and profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and dimensions. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] In laser processing machines for tubes and profiles, the tube or profile to be processed is typically gripped at its rear end by the gripping elements of a workpiece carrier slide and supported by a support and guidance device. It is then guided to the vicinity of the working area, where a processing head performs the intended processing operations on the tube or profile using a focused laser beam. The gripping elements of the workpiece carrier slide define a machine feed axis to which the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile is aligned during processing. The support and guidance device serves to support and guide the tube or profile near the processing head, ensuring that its longitudinal axis remains aligned with the machine feed axis.The workpiece carrier slide is typically movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile to control its feed movement and is also equipped with rotary control devices to control the rotation of the tube or profile around its longitudinal axis. The support and guide device is mounted in a fixed position on the machine base in front of or behind (with respect to the feed of the tube or profile) the machining head. To ensure proper support of the tube or profile being machined along its entire length and to prevent, or at least minimize, any deviation of the tube's or profile's longitudinal axis from the machine's feed axis, the machine is generally equipped with support devices positioned between the workpiece carrier slide and the support and guide device.The support devices can be of a type that includes an adaptable support element, i.e., a support element with a receiving cavity for the pipe or profile. This cavity has a variable-shaped profile in cross-section (i.e., in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the feed axis of the machine), allowing it to be adapted to pipes or profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and sizes. Typically, such a support element is rotatably mounted around a horizontal axis of rotation that extends transversely to the pipe or profile being processed (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or profile). This allows the cross-section of the receiving cavity with the profile best suited for supporting the pipe or profile being processed to be selected each time the support element is rotated around its axis of rotation.

[0004] In particular, the use of a support element with a receiving cavity, which in cross-section has a circular arch profile with a variable radius depending on the angular position of the support element about the aforementioned axis of rotation, is already known, for example, from Italian patent no. 1380352 or European patent EP3670069B1. The receiving cavity is usually shaped such that the radius of the circular arch profile increases with the rotation of the support element in a specific direction, in particular continuously or stepwise.

[0005] These support elements can be made of a plastic material, such as polyamide 12 (PA12), or a metallic material, such as steel. Using a plastic material reduces the cost of the support element, but it also makes it less wear-resistant (due to the tube or profile sliding on the support element as a result of its translational movement along the machine's feed axis and / or its rotational movement around the aforementioned feed axis). This necessitates replacement of the support element after a shorter period than with a steel support element. Conversely, using a metallic material, particularly steel, makes the support element more wear-resistant, but also more expensive than one made of plastic.The use of a metallic material, especially steel, makes the support element heavier than one made of plastic, thus complicating its handling, particularly the vertical movement required to detach the support element from the pipe or profile being processed. This prevents contact with the workpiece carrier slide as it approaches the machine's processing head. Furthermore, for pipes or profiles made of stainless steel or other delicate materials, a polymer support element is preferable to one made of a metallic material like steel. Therefore, no single solution is optimal in terms of both cost and performance; the material for the support element that offers the best compromise between these two factors must be selected for each specific application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a support element for supporting a tube or profile in a tube and profile processing machine, in particular a machine for laser processing (for example, laser cutting) of tubes and profiles, which makes it possible in every case to offer a cost- and performance-optimized solution for supporting the tube or profile to be processed.

[0007] This and other problem(s) is / are comprehensively solved according to the invention thanks to a support element according to the attached independent claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the content of which is to be understood as an integral part of the following description.

[0009] In summary, the invention is based on the idea of ​​designing a support element that comprises: - a main body, of which a channel-shaped outer section defines a receiving cavity for the tube or profile, and - an outer layer covering the receiving cavity and designed to come into contact with the tube or profile when it rests on the support element, wherein the outer layer is designed as a component separate from the outer section of the main body and detachably connected to it.

[0010] Thanks to such a configuration, the outer layer of the support element can in any case be chosen to provide optimal performance depending on the type of pipe or profile to be supported, and can be easily replaced in case of wear or damage or if the type of pipe or profile to be supported changes, without having to replace the entire support element, which saves considerable costs.

[0011] The outer layer can be made of steel, for example, for its wear-resistant properties when machining pipes and profiles made of structural steel, or it can be made of polymer material for its lower hardness properties when machining pipes and profiles made of stainless steel, aluminum, or other "sensitive" materials. Alternatively, the outer layer can also be made of a composite material.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular a machine for laser processing (for example, laser cutting) of tubes and profiles, comprising at least one support element of the aforementioned type according to the attached claim 11. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by the following purely exemplary and non-limiting detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view which partially, also schematically, shows an example of a pipe and profile processing machine, in particular a machine for laser cutting pipes and profiles, to which a support element according to the present invention is applicable; - Fig. 2 a perspective view of a support element according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Fig. 3 an axial sectional view of the support element of Fig. 2 is and - Fig. 4 a perspective view of only the outer layer of the support element of Fig. 2 is. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Initially referring to Fig. 1 is denoted by M as a total pipe and profile processing machine, which in this case is a machine for laser cutting pipes and profiles, but which could also be another type of pipe and profile processing machine in which the pipe or profile to be processed must be supported over its entire length or part of its length.

[0015] The machine M, as is known, comprises a processing head W capable of performing processing operations on a tube or profile (in the illustrated example, a tube with a circular cross-section, denoted by T), particularly by means of a focused laser beam B. These operations consist of cutting operations in this case, but could also include other types of operations, such as welding operations. Even though the machine M is a focused laser beam B, the machine M is capable of performing processing operations on a tube or profile (in the illustrated example, a tube with a circular cross-section, denoted by T). Fig. Although the pipe T shown in Figure 1 is a pipe with a circular cross-section, the machine M can also process pipes with a cross-section of any other shape, for example square or rectangular, as well as profiles or beams of any shape, for example C-profiles, T-profiles, IPE-profiles, HEA-profiles and the like.

[0016] The machine M also includes a workpiece carrier slide (not shown, but certainly of a known type) with gripping means designed to grip the tube or profile at one end (a rear end). The gripping means define an x-feed axis of the machine, along which the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile is aligned during machining. During machining, the tube or profile is advanced by the workpiece carrier slide along the feed axis x in the direction of the machining head W and, if necessary, rotated about the axis.

[0017] The machine M also includes a support system capable of supporting the tube or profile during machining, preferably not only before but also after the machining head W. The support system comprises a plurality of support devices S, each of which is provided with a support element 10 designed to provide a bearing surface for the tube or profile on which the tube or profile can slide during machining due to the action of the feed movement of the tube or profile along the feed axis x and, if applicable, due to the action of the rotational movement of the tube or profile about the feed axis x.

[0018] Now, with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 Each support element 10 has a receiving cavity 12 in a known manner, which is able to partially receive a tube or profile to be machined (not shown) in order to not only support the tube or profile vertically, but also to hold it laterally, thereby preventing or at least limiting any wobbling or deflection of the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile in relation to the feed axis x of the machine that may occur during machining.

[0019] Preferably, the support element 10 is an adaptable support element, i.e., it can adapt to tubes and profiles of different shapes and dimensions. In this case, as well as in the embodiment proposed here, the receiving cavity 12 has a profile with a variable shape in cross-section (i.e., in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine), in particular a profile in the form of a rounded arc with a variable radius, so that it can be adapted to tubes and profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and dimensions. In particular, the receiving cavity 12 is shaped such that the radius of the rounded arc profile of its cross-section varies continuously or gradually along the receiving cavity.As in the embodiment proposed here, for example, the radius of the circular arc profile of the cross-section of the receiving cavity 12 increases continuously or gradually in a certain direction, so that, depending on the shape and / or dimensions of the tube or profile, the profile of the receiving cavity 12 that is best suited for supporting the tube or profile to be processed can be selected by appropriately adjusting the orientation of the support element 10.

[0020] The support element 10 comprises a main body 14 with a channel-like outer section 16 that forms the receiving cavity 12. According to a preferred embodiment (not shown), the main body 14 can also include a plurality of connecting arms that connect a central section of the body to the outer section 16. The preferred configuration of the main body 14 was achieved by applying generative design, but various other configurations are conceivable.

[0021] The main body 14 is preferably mounted on a shaft (not shown), which in turn is supported on a respective support structure (also not shown), so that it is rotatable about a rotational axis y that lies in a transverse plane, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine. The rotational axis y is preferably horizontally oriented, but could also be inclined at a certain angle to the horizontal. This allows the profile of the receiving cavity 12 that is best suited for contact with the pipe or profile to be machined to be selected, depending on the application, by rotating the shaft on which the main body 14 is mounted.

[0022] Advantageously, the main body 14 is a single piece, for example made of plastic and in particular manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques (or 3D printing).

[0023] The support element 10 also comprises an outer layer 18 that covers the receiving cavity 12 and is intended to come into contact with the pipe or profile to be supported. Preferably, the support element 10 also comprises an intermediate layer 20 between the outer layer 18 and the outer section 16 of the main body 14.

[0024] The outer layer 18 is designed as a separate component with respect to the outer section 16 of the main body 14 and with respect to the intermediate layer 20, if present, and is detachably attached to the outer section 16 of the main body 14, so that only the outer layer 18 can be replaced if it is worn or damaged, without having to replace other parts of the support element 10. Furthermore, this makes it possible to use different materials for the outer layer 18 and the intermediate layer 20, which can be selected appropriately depending on the required properties of the two parts of the support element 10.The outer layer 18 can, for example, be made of steel for use in machining pipes made of structural steel due to its wear-resistant properties, or it can be made of polymer material for use in machining pipes made of stainless steel, aluminum, or other "sensitive" materials due to its lower hardness properties. The outer layer 18 could also be made of a composite material.

[0025] The outer layer 18, for example, has a thickness of 2 to 10 mm. The thickness of the outer layer 18 can be constant over the entire extent of the layer or alternatively vary from zone to zone.

[0026] In the embodiment proposed here, the outer layer 18 is connected to the outer section 16 of the main body 14 by a plurality of mechanical connecting elements, in particular by screws (not shown), each of which is inserted into a respective bore 22 provided in a respective mounting boss 24 formed by the outer layer 18. However, other connection modes are also possible for detachably attaching the outer layer 18 to the outer section 16.

[0027] Advantageously, the intermediate layer 20 is designed as an elastically deformable structure (i.e., a structure that can deform after the application of a stress but can return to its undeformed state as soon as the stress ceases) in order to act as a resilient layer, i.e., a layer with vibration and shock damping properties. The intermediate layer 20 can, for example, be designed as a structure with such a geometry and / or density that it exhibits vibration and shock damping properties. In particular, the intermediate layer 20, as in Fig. 2 and Fig.Figure 3 shows a structure preferably implemented as a three-dimensional lattice with a plurality of interconnected unit cells. In particular, the three-dimensional lattice structure forming the intermediate layer 20 is suitably designed to impart high vibration-damping properties to the layer. This enables the support element 10 to dampen the vibrations to which the tube or profile is subjected during machining more effectively than in the prior art. The intermediate layer 20 can also be suitably designed to meet additional requirements, for example, regarding stiffness, weight, heat transfer capacity, etc. For example, the intermediate layer 20 is formed by a structure according to the Voronoi diagram, which is known for its energy-absorbing properties.

[0028] Preferably, especially when the intermediate layer 20 is designed as a three-dimensional lattice structure, the layer is produced using additive manufacturing techniques (or 3D printing). Thanks to additive manufacturing, the three-dimensional lattice structure of the intermediate layer 20 can achieve a degree of geometric complexity that would not be reproducible with conventional manufacturing techniques, especially so-called subtractive techniques, in which the component to be produced is obtained by removing material from a semi-finished product.

[0029] The intermediate layer 20, for example, has a thickness of 2 to 10 mm, particularly 4 to 7 mm. The thickness of the intermediate layer 20 can be constant over the entire extent of the layer or alternatively vary from zone to zone.

[0030] The intermediate layer 20 can, however, be designed differently than a three-dimensional lattice structure; for example, it can be designed as an air bearing, made of rubber or another material with similar vibration-damping properties, or comprise a plurality of silicone bearings. The intermediate layer 20 and the outer section 16 of the main body 14 can be manufactured in one piece, particularly from plastic material, especially if the intermediate layer 20 is formed by a three-dimensional lattice structure. In this case, both are preferably manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques (or 3D printing). Even more preferred is the manufacturing of the intermediate layer 20 and the entire main body 14 in one piece, particularly from plastic material. In this case, both are advantageously manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques (or 3D printing).Any of the following materials can be used as the plastic material: polyamide 12 (PA12), carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyetherimide (PEI). However, it is also possible to use other materials, especially those with good mechanical properties suitable for additive manufacturing.

[0031] The present invention has been described here with reference to one of its preferred embodiments. Of course, further embodiments can be provided which share the inventive core defined in the claims below with the embodiment described here. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] IT 1380352

[0004] EP 3670069B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Support element (10) for supporting a tube or profile in a machine (M) for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser processing, of tubes and profiles, wherein the support element (10) comprises: - a main body (14) with a channel-shaped outer section (16) that defines a receiving cavity (12) for the tube or profile, and - an outer layer (18) covering the receiving cavity (12) and designed to come into contact with the tube or profile when it rests on the support element (10), wherein the outer layer (18) is designed as a part separate from and detachably connected to the outer section (16) of the main body (14). [2] Support element according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer (18) is connected to the outer section (16) of the main body (14) by a plurality of mechanical connecting elements. [3] Support element according to claim 2, wherein the outer layer (18) forms a plurality of mounting attachments (24), each having a respective bore (22) and being connected to the outer section (16) of the main body (14) by a corresponding plurality of threaded connecting elements, each being inserted into one of the bores (22). [4] Support element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer layer (22) consists of a plastic material, a metallic material or a composite material. [5] Support element according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an intermediate layer (20) arranged between the outer layer (18) and the outer section (16) of the main body (14) to support the outer layer (18), wherein the intermediate layer (20) is designed as an elastically deformable structure configured to act as a resilient layer. [6] Support element according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate layer (20) is designed as a three-dimensional lattice structure with a plurality of interconnected unit cells. [7] Support element according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the intermediate layer (20) and the outer section (16) of the main body (14) are formed in one piece. [8] Support element according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the intermediate layer (20) and the entire main body (14) are made in one piece. [9] Support element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving cavity (12) has a profile with variable shape in cross-section, in particular a round-arched profile with variable radius. [10] Support element according to claim 9, wherein the receiving cavity (12) is shaped such that the radius of the arc profile of its cross-section varies continuously or gradually along the receiving cavity (12). [11] Machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, comprising: - a processing head (W), - Gripping means designed to grasp the tube or profile to be processed at one end and to advance the tube or profile along a feed axis (x) towards the processing head (W) and / or to rotate the tube or profile around the feed axis (x), and - a support system capable of supporting the tube or profile during machining before and / or after the machining head (W), wherein the tube or profile can slide relative to the support system as a result of the translational movement of the tube or profile along the feed axis (x) and / or the rotational movement of the tube or profile about the feed axis (x), wherein the support system comprises at least one support element (10) according to any of the preceding claims.