A method for operating a machine for laser processing of pipes and external parts, which is integrated into the machine and has an automated system for applying threaded inserts.

Abstract

A method for operating a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, the machine comprising a processing head (12) having a focusing device (18) configured to focus a laser beam on a surface of the tube or profile (T) to be processed, a carriage (28) on which the processing head (12) is mounted, and an automatic insert application system (30) for placing a threaded insert (I) in a receptacle (H) formed in a wall (w) of the tube or profile (T) by the laser beam, the automatic insert application system being integrated into the machine and configured to operate in conjunction with the processing head (12).

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiled sections.

Background Art

[0002] In the following specification and claims, the terms "tube" and "profiled section" are used to identify any elongate object having a uniform cross-section along its longitudinal axis (except for machining tolerances). The cross-section can be of any shape, whether closed (e.g., circular, rectangular, or square) or open (e.g., L-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, etc.). Further, the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are used to identify the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube or profiled section, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0003] DE102016106067A1 describes a machine for laser cutting of tubes or profiled sections, which is configured to form threaded holes.

[0004] As is well known, when a tube or profiled section has a relatively thin wall, instead of directly drilling a threaded hole in the wall of the tube or profiled section, a screw insert may be applied to a receiving portion formed in the wall of the tube or profiled section. This screw insert has the required threaded hole. FR2313998A1 describes an insert application system. DE102004006407A1 describes a machine for forming chip removal holes, which is equipped with an insert application system.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In known machines for laser cutting pipes and outer casings, the machine-produced workpiece must be removed for manual insertion of threaded inserts by an operator or for insertion of inserts by an offline machine. This results in a relatively long production time.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a solution for reducing the production time of pipes and outer casings equipped with screw inserts.

[0007] This and other objectives are fully achieved in accordance with the present invention by a method for operating a machine for laser cutting tubes and shaped portions, having the features specified in the attached independent claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, which should be understood as an integral part of the following description.

[0009] In summary, the present invention is based on the idea of ​​realizing a method for operating a machine for laser cutting pipes and outer shaped portions. The machine is A processing head equipped with a focusing device configured to emit a laser beam that is focused on the surface of the pipe or outer shape portion to be processed, A carriage is mounted on a processing head and is attached to the pipe or outer shape to be processed so as to be able to move relative to it in both a first lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or outer shape to be processed, and a second lateral direction perpendicular to both the first lateral direction and the longitudinal axis. The machine includes an automated insert application system, which is integrated into the machine and configured to operate in conjunction with the machining head, and which uses a laser beam to install screw inserts into casings formed in the walls of pipes or outer casings, The automatic insert application system includes a riveter or holder equipped with a threaded rotating pin configured to engage with the threaded hole of the threaded insert for gripping and setting the threaded insert. The machining head and fixing device are mounted on the carriage so as to move integrally with the carriage in both the first and second lateral directions. The automated insert application system further comprises an insert supply assembly and an insert removal seat configured to receive inserts individually from the insert supply assembly, wherein the insert supply assembly and the insert removal seat are located adjacent to the carriage. The automatic insert application system further comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a screw insert in the insert removal seat. The aforementioned method, a) A process of forming a housing portion in the pipe or outer shape portion with a processing head, b) A step of moving the carriage from the tube or outer casing to the insert removal seat, c) A step of gripping the screw insert from the insert removal seat with a fixing device, d) A step of moving the carriage from the insert removal seat to the tube or outer casing, e) A step of installing a screw insert into the housing portion of the pipe or outer shape using a fixing device, f) A step in which a cutting operation is performed with a processing head, The proximity sensor is configured to change its state in response to the removal of the screw insert from the insert removal seat, and as a result provide a detection signal, and step c) is c1) A step of gripping the screw insert with a fixing device and lifting the screw insert from the insert removal seat, c2) A step of determining the detected picking height reached by the screw insert during picking, based on the detection signal, which is the detected picking height at which the proximity sensor changed its state, c3) A step of comparing the detected picking height with the expected picking height according to the geometric parameters of the screw insert, c4) If the detected picking height differs from the expected picking height, the screw insert is placed in the insert removal seat, the screw insert is released, and steps c1) to c3) are repeated. c5) The process includes discarding the screw insert (I) if the detected picking height is still different from the expected picking height.

[0010] This method utilizes a fully integrated system within the machine. Various sizes of threaded inserts can be inserted into pre-laser-cut tubes or outer sections. In this way, the machine no longer merely produces laser-cut pieces requiring further processing for insert insertion, but can produce workpieces that are ready for immediate use as finished products. Consequently, production time is significantly reduced.

[0011] Preferably, the automatic insert application system further comprises a linear actuator mounted on a carriage, a stabilizer attached to the linear actuator, and the linear actuator is configured to move the stabilizer relative to the carriage between a stationary position and a machining position in a second lateral direction.

[0012] Preferably, the carriage is configured to reciprocate between the pipe or outer casing and the insert removal seat, and the holder is capable of gripping the threaded insert from the insert removal seat, and the threaded insert is positioned in the pipe or outer casing between the hole cutting operation and the subsequent cutting operation performed by the machining head.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the method, a proximity sensor is configured to change state when a screw insert supplied by an insert supply assembly is received in a screw take-out seat, and as a result supply a detection signal, and step c) comprises repeating the supply of a screw insert from the insert supply assembly if the screw insert is not received in the insert take-out seat.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the method, step e) is: e1) A step of lowering the fixing device with a screw insert until the housing of the pipe or outer shaped portion is engaged, e2) A step of determining the detected machining height reached by the fixture; e3) A step of comparing the detected machining height with the machining height predicted according to the dimensions of the tube or the outer shape portion; e4) A step of discarding the screw insert when the detected machining height is different from the predicted machining height.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the method, step a) is performed based on input data including the indicated position of the center of gravity of the receiving portion in the tube or the outer shape portion and the geometric parameters of the screw insert to be applied.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given merely as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] It is a perspective view partially showing a machine for laser processing of a tube or an outer shape portion provided with an automatic insert application system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 3] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 4] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 5] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 6] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 7] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 8] It is a front elevation view showing the machine of FIG. 1 for each different operation stage. [Figure 9] It is a front elevation view showing the fixture of the machine of FIG. 1 while the screw insert is being installed in the tube or the outer shape portion. [Figure 10]This is an upright view showing a threaded insert applied to a pipe or external portion. [Figure 11] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the automatic insert application system of the machine. [Figure 12] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the automatic insert application system of the machine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Although the machine for laser processing of tubes and external shaped portions, which is the subject of this invention, is described and illustrated using the example of its application to the processing of tubes, it is understood that the machine can be equally used for processing external shaped portions. The tubes or external shaped portions that the machine can process may have cross-sections of various shapes and sizes.

[0018] Referring to the drawings, a machine for laser processing a pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 10, a processing head 12 configured to perform a laser cutting process on a pipe T (shown in Figures 2 to 8), a feeding device (not shown) configured to advance the pipe T along the longitudinal direction x (coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the pipe and perpendicular to the drawing paper in Figures 2 to 8), a guiding device (not shown) configured to guide the pipe T as it advances with respect to the feeding device, and a scanning system (not shown) configured to scan at least a portion (e.g., the upper part) of the cross-sectional shape of the pipe T.

[0019] The processing head 12 includes a focusing device 18 configured to emit a laser beam focused on the surface of the tube T in a manner known in itself. The processing head 12 is supported by a head support structure 26. The head support structure 26 and the processing head 12 are mounted on a carriage 28 and are movable in the longitudinal direction (direction Z). The carriage 28 is then mounted on the machine base 10 so as to be movable in the lateral direction (direction y). In the illustrated example, the lateral direction y is horizontal, but it may be a direction inclined at a specific angle with respect to the horizontal (it is clear that it lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube). Thus, the processing head 12 is movable in a vertical cross-section, i.e., a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x of the tube T, with two degrees of freedom: one degree of freedom for vertical movement and one degree of freedom for lateral movement. Furthermore, as shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the machining head 12 may be mounted on the head support structure 26 so as to be able to vibrate around a laterally oriented vibration axis (or, according to an unillustrated embodiment, around two mutually orthogonal vibration axes).

[0020] Preferably, the machine feeding device is configured to drive not only the translational motion of the pipe T along the longitudinal axis x (forward or backward motion during workpiece processing), but also the rotational motion of the pipe T about the longitudinal axis x. In the case of a laser processing machine for pipes, the combination of the degrees of freedom of the movement of the processing head 12 (translation along the vertical z direction, translation along the lateral y direction, rotation around the vibration axis, and, if possible, translation along the longitudinal axis x) and the degrees of freedom of the movement of the pipe T (translation along the longitudinal axis x and rotation around the longitudinal axis x) makes it possible to cut the wall of the pipe T along any cutting line.

[0021] The machine further includes an automatic insert application system, collectively referred to as reference numeral 30. Such a system is configured to place threaded inserts I (shown in Figures 9 and 10) into corresponding holes or housings H. The holes or housings are pre-formed in the wall w of the tube or outer shaped portion T by laser processing. The automatic insert application system 30 is integrated into the machine and configured to operate in conjunction with the processing head 12.

[0022] An insert applicable to the machine according to the present invention is, for example, a standard insert comprising a bushing body and a flange or head F. The outer surface S of the bushing body has a polygonal, particularly hexagonal, cross-section, and the flange or head is formed at the proximal end of the bushing body. The bushing body has a threaded hole B formed therein, comprising a proximal segment B1 and a distal segment B2, the proximal segment B1 having a larger diameter and positioned at the head F, and the distal segment B2 having a smaller diameter and being threaded. Standard inserts applicable to the machine according to the present invention include, for example, open hexagonal inserts M4, M5, M6, M8 with cylindrical heads, closed hexagonal inserts M4, M5, M6, M8 with cylindrical heads, open hexagonal inserts M4, M5, M6, M8 with reduced diameter heads, and closed hexagonal inserts M4, M5, M6, M8 with reduced diameter heads. Figures 9 and 10 show open hexagonal inserts with cylindrical heads.

[0023] The automatic insert application system 30 comprises a riveter 31 of a known type, the riveter being provided with a threaded rotating pin 32 configured to engage with the threaded hole B of the threaded insert I for gripping and setting the threaded insert I. For this purpose, the riveter 31 comprises a motor or actuator 31a that drives the rotation of the threaded pin 32 in a known manner. The placement of the threaded insert I is performed by forcibly inserting the threaded insert I into the housing H with the riveter 31 until the head F contacts the wall w of the pipe or outer morph T. Next, the riveter 31 is slightly withdrawn, and a portion of the insert, which is between the distal threaded segment B2 and the wall w of the pipe or outer morph T and whose thickness is reduced due to the presence of the large-diameter hole segment B1, is deformed. In this way, the wall w of the pipe or outer morph T is clamped between the head F and the deformed portion of the threaded insert. Finally, the riveter 31 is removed by loosening the threaded pin 32 from the firmly secured threaded insert I.

[0024] The fixture 31 is attached to the support structure 33, which is attached to the carriage 28. Therefore, the fixture 31 moves with the carriage 28 and also moves with the machining head 12. The fixture 31 is movable integrally with the machining head 12 in both the lateral y and vertical z directions. Advantageously, the position of the fixture 31 may be precisely placed on the same plane yz (perpendicular to the axis x of the pipe or outer morph) as the machining head 12. In this way, after a hole is formed in the pipe or outer morph T with the machining head 12, the fixture 31 can be moved and the insert I inserted into the same hole simply by moving the fixture only along the y and z axes, without needing to move the pipe or outer morph T being machined and / or without needing to move the fixture 31 along another control axis.

[0025] The linear actuator 34 is interposed between the support structure 33 and the stationary device 31, and is configured to move the stationary device 31 relative to the carriage 28 and, consequently, the machining head 12, along a direction parallel to the z-axis. In particular, the stationary device 31 is movable between a stationary position corresponding to the upper end position of the linear actuator 34 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a lowered position corresponding to the lower end position of the linear actuator 34 (shown in Figure 7). The stroke of the stationary device 31 is indicated by the arrow z2 in Figures 2 to 8.

[0026] The automatic insert application system 30 includes a portion integrated with the base 10. This portion includes an insert supply assembly 35, which in the illustrated example includes a vibrating cup supply device 35a, the outlet of which is connected to a chute 35b. The chute 35b serves as a single-channel feeder for the extraction carriage 35c, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In other words, the chute 35b supplies screw inserts T to the extraction carriage 35c one at a time. An insert extraction seat 36 is formed on the extraction carriage 35c and faces the chute 35b when the extraction carriage 35c is in its retracted position. In Figure 12, the chute 35b is omitted to make the insert extraction seat 36 more visible.

[0027] The insert removal seat 36 is configured to receive only one screw insert I at a time and is formed to prevent the received screw insert from rotating around its central axis.

[0028] The extraction carriage 35c is movable from the retracted position shown in Figures 11 and 12 to the forward position shown in Figures 2 to 8. When the extraction carriage 35c is in the forward position, the metal insert I can be extracted by the fixture 31 using a method described later. To prevent the screw insert I from falling out of the insert extraction seat 36 while the extraction carriage 35c is moving from the retracted position to the forward position, a guide (not shown) is provided and positioned along the extraction carriage 35. With the above configuration, the insert extraction seat 36 can receive the insert I individually, and the insert can be machined by the fixture 31.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the insert supply assembly 35 and the insert removal seat 36 are positioned adjacent to the carriage 28 and, consequently, the fixture 31. Thus, the carriage 28 is configured to reciprocate between the pipe or morph section T and the insert removal seat 36, the fixture 31 is capable of gripping the threaded insert I from the insert removal seat 36, and the fixture 31 is capable of positioning the threaded insert in the pipe or morph section T between a hole cutting operation performed on the pipe or morph section T by the processing head 12 and the subsequent cutting operation. For the purposes of the present invention, “hole cutting operation” means an operation in which a hole or housing H is formed in the wall w of the pipe or morph section T, and “cutting operation” means more generally any laser cutting operation performed on the pipe or morph section T, including the aforementioned hole cutting operation.

[0030] A presence sensor 35e, such as a photoelectric cell, is also positioned on the supply assembly 35. This sensor is configured to detect the presence of a screw insert I in the insert removal seat 36 when the removal carriage 35c is found in the forward position. The position of the insert removal seat 36 together with the removal carriage 35 in the forward position is shown by a dashed line in Figure 12.

[0031] Refer to Figures 2 to 8 to explain the procedure for operating the above-mentioned machine.

[0032] Figure 2 shows the process of cutting holes in a pipe or outer shaped portion T by laser cutting. In this process, a housing H is formed in the pipe or outer shaped portion T by the processing head 12. During laser cutting, the stationary fixture 31 does not get in the way, allowing the machine to process without restriction.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the preparation steps for removing insert I. In this step, the carriage 28 moves from the pipe or outer section T to the insert removal seat 26. Specifically, the fixture 31 is positioned vertically on the axis of insert I by moving the y and z axes that move the carriage 28 and the cutting head 12. Insert I is positioned in the insert removal seat 36 together with the carriage 35c, which is in the advanced position.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the lowering process of the stationary device 31 in the retrieval position. By lowering the stationary device 31 to an intermediate position using the linear actuator 34, it is prepared to pick up the insert I (the type of linear actuator used must be capable of stopping midway between the two end positions).

[0035] Figure 5 shows the insert removal process. The insert I is gripped by the fixture 31 by lowering the carriage 8 on the Z axis while the threaded pin 32 of the fixture 31 rotates so as to engage with the threaded hole B of the insert I.

[0036] Figure 6 shows the process of removing the fixture with the insert. In this process, the carriage 28 is raised on the Z axis, causing the fixture 31 to pull the insert I from the insert removal seat 36, preparing it for the application process to the previously formed hole or housing H.

[0037] Figure 7 shows the process of applying the insert to the pipe or outer casing to be processed. By moving the y and z axes of the carriage 28 and cutting head 12 to the application position, the fixture 31 applies the insert I to the previously formed hole or housing H. The fixture 31 then moves further to its lower end position or processing position. To achieve fixing the threaded insert I to the wall w of the pipe or outer casing T, the fixture 31 operates in the manner described above with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0038] Finally, the process of returning to the cutting position is shown in Figure 8. The linear actuator 34 raises the stationary unit 31, and by appropriately moving the y and z axes of the carriage 28, the laser cutting process by the processing head 12 is returned.

[0039] Preferably, the automatic control of the machine described above includes a procedure for inspecting the type of insert and the appropriate insert being removed from the insert removal seat. For this purpose, the presence sensor 35e is configured to change its state in response to the removal of the screw insert I from the insert removal seat 36, and as a result provide a detection signal. For example, if the presence sensor 35e is a photoelectric cell that operates by reflection at the insert I, the presence sensor 35e may be energized when the insert I is present in the insert mounting seat 36. When the insert I is not present in the insert mounting seat 36, the presence sensor 35e is de-energized.

[0040] When the screw insert I, gripped by the holder 31, rises from the insert mounting seat 36, the presence sensor 35e is expected to become de-energized at a precise height z (expected picking height) depending on the type of insert being processed. Therefore, the machine is automatically controlled by comparing the expected picking height with the height reached by the holder 31 when the change in the state of the presence sensor 35e is detected (detected picking height). When the detected picking height matches the expected height, the next step is to move the carriage 28 and the holder 31 to apply the insert I to the pipe or outer rim T. On the other hand, if the detected picking height does not match the expected picking height, the following is meant: - The removed insert is of the wrong type, or - The insert was not properly screwed in by the fixture 31.

[0041] Therefore, a new picking attempt is made for the same insert.

[0042] If this new attempt also fails, the stabilizer 31 is again positioned near the picking position using only the machine's y and z axes. There, a small pneumatic clamp (not shown) is provided to grip and hold the insert to be discarded, and the stabilizer 31 can be loosened from the insert. The clamp then opens and falls into a shaft for cutting debris (not shown), and the stabilizer 31 is restarted for a new picking.

[0043] Preferably, the automatic control of the machine described above further includes a procedure for checking for the presence of an insert in the insert removal seat 36 together with the removal carriage 35c in the forward position. In fact, during the transition between the supply chute 35b and the selector carriage 35c, it may occur that the insert does not descend, thereby causing the selector carriage 35c to emerge empty. In this case, the presence sensor 35e does not change its state even when the selector carriage 35c arrives (because there is no insert) and commands a second picking attempt. To assist the descent of the insert from the chute 35b, a blower (not shown) may be provided, positioned along the chute and blowing air in the downward direction.

[0044] Preferably, the automatic control of the machine described above further includes a procedure for checking that the insert has been correctly inserted into the pipe or outer casing. When the machine introduces the insert into the pre-laser-cut housing H, the insert I should be positioned as shown in Figure 7.

[0045] This position corresponds to the following: a) A linear actuator 34 that moves the stationary device 31 to the lower end position. b) The exact height z, known as a function of the dimensions of the pipe or outer part being processed.

[0046] If either of the two conditions is not met, it means that something went wrong and the insertion was not performed correctly (the position of the cylinder carriage to which the fixture 31 is fixed is controlled via a linear transducer positioned parallel to the linear actuator). If insertion fails, the fixture is positioned in the aforementioned position with a pneumatic clamp in order to discard the insert.

[0047] Preferably, the automatic control of the machine described above further includes a procedure for preparing a housing for a screw insert by laser cutting.

[0048] The process of applying threaded inserts to a pipe using a laser cutting system first involves removing material from the pipe or external portion to which the threaded inserts are to be applied.

[0049] This region is defined as the housing for the screw insert.

[0050] The removal of material to form the housing is carried out by laser processing.

[0051] This process is called preparatory laser geometry.

[0052] The preliminary laser shaping includes polygonal shapes, particularly hexagonal cuts, that are oriented to match the orientation expected of the screw insert during the selection and picking process. This orientation is maintained by the fixture 31 and is always in the same direction to ensure proper insertion of the screw insert into the housing.

[0053] A method comprising the process of programming and executing a preliminary laser shape is described.

[0054] CAD / CAM Programming (Office) In a CAD / CAM programming environment for planning the machining to be performed on a pipe, it is not always necessary to draw a preliminary laser shape.

[0055] In this environment, all that is required is to insert a placeholder corresponding to the centroid of the location where the screw insert should be applied.

[0056] Programming in Machines On the machine, it is sufficient to assign a specific type of screw insert to a placeholder that has been inserted during CAD / CAM programming.

[0057] A screw insert is described by a set of geometric parameters that allow the machine to recognize the size and shape of the housing.

[0058] Based on the descriptive information of the screw insert and the orientation of the insert on the riveter 31, the machine automatically performs the preliminary shaping using the positional reference determined by the placeholder. If necessary, the user can make preliminary adjustments to the dimensions and apply specific laser cutting parameters.

[0059] Naturally, without impairing the principles of the present invention, the details of the embodiments and configurations can be broadly modified from those described and illustrated merely as non-limiting examples, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for operating a machine for laser cutting pipes or outer casings, wherein the machine is A processing head (12) is provided with a focusing device (8) configured to emit a laser beam focused onto the surface of the pipe or outer shape portion (T) to be processed, A carriage (28) is mounted on the processing head (12) and is attached to the pipe or outer shape portion to be processed so as to be movable relative to both a first lateral direction (y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or outer shape portion (T) to be processed, and a second lateral direction (z) perpendicular to both the first lateral direction (y) and the longitudinal axis. An automatic insert application system (30) is integrated into the machine and configured to operate in conjunction with the processing head, and installs a screw insert (I) into a housing (H) formed in the wall (w) of the pipe or outer portion (T) by the laser beam, Equipped with, The automatic insert application system (30) includes a fixing device (31) provided with a threaded rotating pin (32) configured to engage with the threaded hole (B) of the threaded insert (I) for gripping and setting the threaded insert (I), The machining head (12) and the fixing device (31) are attached to a slide (28), and the slide is movable integrally with the machining head (12) and the fixing device (31) in both the first lateral direction (y) and the second lateral direction (z). The automatic insert application system (30) further comprises an insert supply assembly (35) and an insert removal seat (36) configured to receive inserts individually from the insert supply assembly, wherein the insert supply assembly and the insert removal seat are positioned adjacent to the carriage (28). The automatic insert application system (30) further comprises a proximity sensor (35e) configured to detect the presence of the screw insert (I) in the insert removal seat (36), The aforementioned method, a) A step of forming a housing portion (H) in the pipe or outer shape portion (T) with the processing head (12), b) A step of moving the carriage (28) from the pipe or outer shape portion (T) to the insert removal seat (36), c) The step of gripping the screw insert (I) from the insert removal seat (36) with the fixing device (31), d) A step of moving the carriage (28) from the insert removal seat (36) to the tube or outer shape portion (T), e) The step of installing the screw insert (I) in the housing portion (H) of the pipe or outer shape portion using the fixing device (31), f) A step of performing a cutting operation with the processing head (12), Equipped with, The proximity sensor (35e) is configured to change its state in response to the removal of the screw insert (I) from the insert removal seat (36), and as a result supply a detection signal, and step c) is, c1) The step of gripping the screw insert (I) with the fixing device (31) and lifting the screw insert (I) from the insert removal seat (36), c2) A step of determining the detection picking height reached by the screw insert (I) during picking, based on the detection signal, which is the detection picking height at which the proximity sensor (35e) changed its state, c3) A step of comparing the detected picking height with the picking height expected according to the geometric parameters of the screw insert (I), c4) If the detected picking height differs from the expected picking height, the screw insert (I) is repositioned in the insert removal seat (36), the screw insert (I) is released, and steps c) to c3) are repeated. c5) If the detected picking height is still different from the expected picking height, the screw insert (I) is discarded. A method that includes [a certain feature].

2. The automatic insert application system (30) further comprises a linear actuator (30) mounted on the carriage, the stationary device (31) being attached to the linear actuator, and the linear actuator being configured to move the stationary device (31) relative to the carriage between a stationary position and a machining position in the second lateral direction. The method according to claim 1.

3. The carriage is configured to reciprocate between the pipe or outer shape (T) and the insert removal seat (36) so that the fixing device (31) can grip the screw insert (I) from the insert removal seat (36), and so that the screw insert (I) can be installed in the pipe or outer shape (T) between the step of forming the housing portion (H) in the pipe or outer shape (T) with the processing head and the step of performing the cutting operation with the processing head (12). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The proximity sensor (35e) is configured to change its state when the screw insert (I) supplied from the insert supply assembly (35) is received by the insert removal seat (36), and as a result supply a detection signal. Step c) comprises, if the receipt of the screw insert (I) at the insert removal seat (36) fails, repeating the supply of the screw insert (I) by the insert supply assembly (35). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned step e) is, e1) A step of lowering the fixing device (31) with the screw insert (I) until the housing portion (H) of the pipe or outer shape portion (T) is engaged, e2) A step of determining the detection processing height that the fixing device (31) reaches, e3) A step of comparing the detected machining height with the machining height expected according to the dimensions of the pipe or outer shape portion (T), e4) A step of discarding the screw insert (I) if the detected machining height is different from the expected machining height, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. Step a) is performed based on input data comprising the indicated position of the center of gravity of the housing (H) in the pipe or outer shaped portion (T) and the geometric parameters of the screw insert (I) to be applied. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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