Cutting device

Abstract

To divide a pipeline into an arbitrary number of individual pieces along an axial direction.SOLUTION: A cutting device includes: a rotation support part configured to support a pipeline in a manner that the pipeline can rotate around an axis; a cutting part configured to cut the pipeline in an axial direction of the pipeline while moving along the axial direction; and a control unit. The control unit provides control in which cutting of the pipeline by the cutting part and rotating the pipeline by a predetermined angle by the rotation support part after cutting are alternately repeated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device. [Background Art]

[0002] For example, in the demolition work of a nuclear power plant, pipes that may be contaminated with low-level radioactive materials need to be decontaminated before being carried out of the radioactive controlled area. Decontamination of pipes is performed after the pipes are cut in the axial direction. Patent Document 1 discloses a half-split cutting machine that cuts a pipe into two halves in the axial direction. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-007483 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The half-split cutting machine of Patent Document 1 can split a pipe into two halves, but cannot split it into a larger number of individual pieces. If the pipe can be split into smaller individual pieces than half-splitting, even for a pipe with a large diameter, handling after splitting becomes easy, and decontamination, radioactive concentration measurement, and carrying out can be performed efficiently.

[0005] The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting device capable of cutting a pipe along the axial direction of the pipe and splitting the pipe into any number of individual pieces. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] The cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device for cutting a pipe in the axial direction, comprising: a rotating support part that supports the pipe so as to be rotatable around an axis; a cutting part that cuts the pipe in the axial direction while moving along the axial direction of the pipe; and a control unit, wherein the control unit alternately controls the cutting of the pipe by the cutting part and, after cutting, the rotation of the pipe by the rotating support part by a predetermined angle.

[0007] By repeatedly alternating between cutting the pipe axially and rotating it around its axis, a single pipe can be cut multiple times along its axis. This allows the pipe to be divided into any number of individual pieces.

[0008] The following configuration is preferred as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] The cutting section comprises a saw blade and a wedge, and the wedge may be located on the cutting line in which the saw blade cuts the pipe, and positioned behind the saw blade with respect to the direction of movement of the cutting section during cutting.

[0010] When a wedge positioned on the cutting line and behind the saw blade enters the groove formed in the pipe by the saw blade, the groove remains open. This prevents the saw blade from getting caught in the groove during cutting. Furthermore, when the saw blade returns through the groove in the opposite direction to the cutting direction, the wedge enters the groove before the saw blade, widening the groove and preventing the saw blade from getting caught. This prevents the saw blade from getting caught in the groove both during cutting and when returning.

[0011] The wedge is disc-shaped, with its thickness increasing towards the center, and may rotate around an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutting section. Even if the wedge becomes trapped in the cutting groove, it can move while rotating within the groove. This prevents the saw blade from becoming trapped in the cutting groove.

[0012] The saw blade may be a band saw blade stretched between pulleys so as to cut two opposing locations of a pipe. Since two opposing locations of the pipe can be cut simultaneously, the pipe can be cut into individual pieces in a short time.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a pipe can be cut along the axial direction and divided into any number of individual pieces.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a cutting device [Figure 2] Enlarged view of a cutting part [Figure 3] Plan view showing the positional relationship among a band saw blade, pulleys, and a pipe [Figure 4] Enlarged view of a saw blade guide [Figure 5] Diagram of a disc wedge [Figure 6] Explanatory diagram of the operation of a rotation support part [Figure 7] Side view of a pipe fixing jig [Figure 8] Explanatory diagram of the structure of a pipe fixing jig [Figure 9] Explanatory diagram of the procedure for fixing a pipe to a pipe fixing jig [Figure 10] Explanatory diagram of the structure of a pipe fixing jig [Figure 11] Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a cutting device [Figure 12] Flowchart of cutting processing [Figure 13] Diagram showing cutting positions of a pipe and individual pieces after division [Figure 14] Explanatory diagram of the function of a disc wedge when the saw blade descends [Figure 15] Explanatory diagram of the function of a disc wedge when the saw blade ascends

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] <Embodiment> 1. Description of the cutting device 1.1 Overall configuration As shown in Figure 1, the cutting device 10 includes a metal housing 11. The housing 11 is a roughly rectangular frame, and a control panel 82 is mounted on its side. Casters 12A and level adjusters 12B are provided on the underside of the housing 11. When moving the cutting device 10, the casters 12A are made in contact with the floor surface to allow movement. When operating the cutting device 10, the level adjusters 12B are extended downwards and made in contact with the floor surface, allowing the cutting device 10 to be fixed to the floor surface.

[0016] In the following description, the cutting device 10 will be described with the front-to-back direction (short side) as the X direction, the left-to-right direction (long side) as the Y direction, and the up-and-down direction as the Z direction.

[0017] The cutting device 10 comprises a housing 11, a cutting section 20, a rotating support section 50, and a control panel 82. The cutting device 10 is a device that cuts a pipe T supported by a rotating table 52 of the rotating support section 50 along the axial direction (Z direction) by lowering a band saw blade (an example of a "saw blade") 33 of the cutting section 20. 1.2 Cut section The cutting section 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The cutting section 20 includes a lifting device 21, a band saw 22, and the like.

[0018] The lifting device 21 includes lifting tables 23A and 23B, a lifting motor 24, and lead screws 26 and 32. The lifting tables 23A and 23B are rectangular plate-shaped members provided one on each side in the Y direction inside the housing 11.

[0019] The screw shaft 26A of the lead screw 26 is mounted on the housing 11 along the Z direction. A nut 26B is screwed onto the screw shaft 26A. The nut 26B is fixed to the lifting table 23A.

[0020] A lifting pulley 27A is attached to the upper end of the screw shaft 26A. When the lifting motor 24 is operated, the lifting pulley 27A rotates via the gear 29. As the lifting pulley 27A rotates, the screw shaft 26A rotates, causing the nut 26B and the lifting table 23A to move up and down.

[0021] The lifting table 23A has guide bushings 30 attached to its four corners. A guide shaft 31 extending in the Z direction is inserted through each guide bushing 30, allowing the lifting table 23A to slide.

[0022] The lifting table 23B, like the lifting table 23A, is equipped with a feed screw 32 (screw shaft 32A, nut 32B), a guide bush 30, and a guide shaft 31. The lifting table 23B is positioned at the same height as the lifting table 23A.

[0023] A timing belt 28 is routed between the lifting pulleys 27A and 27B, and the power of the lifting motor 24 is transmitted to the lifting pulley 27B via the timing belt 28. As the screw shaft 32B rotates together with the lifting pulley 27B, the lifting table 23B moves up and down together with the lifting table 23A. In the following description, the lifting tables 23A and 23B will be collectively referred to as the lifting table 23.

[0024] The control unit 80, which will be described later, controls the lifting motor 24 to freely raise and lower the lifting table 23.

[0025] The band saw 22 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The band saw 22 includes a band saw blade 33, four saw blade pulleys 34A to 34D (see Figure 3) attached to the undersides of the lifting tables 23A and 23B respectively, and a saw blade motor 35 attached to the top surface of the lifting table 23B. The band saw 22 moves up and down integrally with the lifting table 23. Figure 3 is a plan view with components other than the band saw blade 33, saw blade pulleys 34A to 34D, and the pipe T to be cut removed, in order to explain the state in which the band saw blade 33 is wrapped around the pipe.

[0026] The band saw blade 33 is a ring-shaped saw blade without an end, and is wrapped around four saw blade pulleys 34A to 34D. The rotating shaft (not shown) of the saw blade motor 35 is connected to the saw blade pulley 34B via gears or the like. When the saw blade pulley 34B rotates due to the drive of the saw blade motor 35, the band saw blade 33 revolves around the saw blade pulleys 34A to 34D.

[0027] In this embodiment, the circumferential direction of the band saw blade 33 is counterclockwise when viewed from above (direction of arrow F in Figure 3). A blade is formed on the lower side of the band saw blade 33 in the width direction. By lowering the lifting table 23 while driving the band saw blade 33 in a circumferential direction, the pipe T can be cut axially from its upper end to its lower end. After cutting, the lifting table 23 is raised to return the band saw blade 33 to its original position. In the following description, the downward direction of movement of the band saw blade 33 may be referred to as the cutting direction.

[0028] The control unit 80, described later, can control the saw blade motor 35 to drive the band saw blade 33 in a circular motion at any desired speed or to stop it.

[0029] Next, the saw blade guides 36 and 39 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, a sliding fitting 38 is attached to the lifting table 23A. The sliding fitting 38 is cylindrical and extends in the Y direction, and a slide bar 37 is inserted inside the cylinder. A saw blade guide 36 is attached to one end of the slide bar 37. The slide bar 37 can be displaced in the Y direction relative to the sliding fitting 38, and by tightening the lever 38A, the slide bar 37 and the saw blade guide 36 can be fixed at any position in the Y direction.

[0030] A cylindrical sliding fitting 41 is attached to the lifting table 23B. The sliding bar 40 inserted through the sliding fitting 41 can be displaced in the Y direction, and the saw blade guide 39 can be fixed at any position in the Y direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the saw blade guides 36 and 39 are fixed to the outside of the pipe T to be cut, at a predetermined distance from the pipe T. The saw blade guides 36 and 39 move up and down together with the lifting table 23 and the band saw 22.

[0032] A groove extending in the Y direction is formed on the lower surface of the saw blade guides 36 and 39, and the band saw blade 33 is inserted inside the groove. The saw blade guides 36 and 39 restrict the displacement of the band saw blade 33 in the X and Z directions, thereby suppressing the vibration of the band saw blade 33 when cutting the pipe T.

[0033] Of the two saw blade guides 36 and 39, the saw blade guide 36, located upstream (to the left rear in Figures 2 and 4) in the circumferential direction of the band saw blade 33, has a disc wedge (an example of a "wedge") 42 attached to it, as shown in Figure 4. The shape of the disc wedge 42 is a disc shape, with the thickness increasing towards the center, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B). An axis extending in the X direction is inserted through the center of the disc wedge 42. The axis is fixed to the saw blade guide 36, and the saw blade guide 36 holds the disc wedge 42 so that it can rotate around the axis.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, a portion of the circumference of the disc wedge 42 protrudes further in the direction of pipe T than the surface of the saw blade guide 36 that faces the pipe T. Also, the disc wedge 42 is located on the cutting line of the band saw blade 33, and is positioned behind the band saw blade 33 in the cutting direction. In the configuration of this embodiment, the cutting direction is downward, and the rear side in the cutting direction is upward.

[0035] 1.3 Rotating support section The rotating support unit 50 has the function of supporting the pipe T to be cut so that it does not shift position during cutting. In addition, the supported pipe T can be rotated by any angle around its axis. When the pipe T is rotated, the position in which the band saw blade 33 contacts the pipe T changes, so the pipe T can be cut to any size.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating support unit 50 includes a frame 51 that is roughly rectangular with the X direction as its longitudinal direction, a rotating table 52 located above the frame 51, and a pipe fixing jig 53 erected on the upper surface of the rotating table 52.

[0037] The frame 51 includes a pair of parallel linear guides 54 extending in the X direction and a table moving motor 55. A rotary table 52 is mounted on the linear guides 54 so as to be displaceable in the X direction. The table moving motor 55 is coupled to the screw shaft of a lead screw (not shown) extending in the X direction. The nut of the lead screw is fixed to a slide table on which the rotary table 52 is mounted. By operating the slide table moving motor 55, the rotary table 52 can be moved in the X direction along the linear guides 54.

[0038] Figure 6 shows the rotary table 52 supporting the pipe T being moved in the -X direction. The position of the rotary table 52 and the pipe T at this time is defined as the cutting position. In a plan view, the center C1 of the pipe T at the cutting position is located directly below the band saw blade 33 (see Figure 3). When the circumferentially driven band saw blade 33 is lowered in this state, the band saw blade 33 contacts two opposing points on the circumference of the pipe T that are 180° apart, and simultaneously cuts the pipe T at each contact point.

[0039] When fixing the pipe T before cutting to the upper surface of the rotary table 52, or when removing the pipe T from the rotary table 52 after cutting, the rotary table 52 is moved in the +X direction (downward in the plane of the paper in Figure 6). The position of the rotary table 52 and the pipe T at this time is called the loading / unloading position. When placing the pipe T on the rotary table 52, or when unloading individual pieces of the cut pipe T, the rotary table 52 is moved to the loading / unloading position in advance.

[0040] The rotary table 52 is a circular disc with a horizontal surface. An indexing motor 56 (see Figure 11) is provided between the rotary table 52 and the frame 51. The center C2 of the rotary table 52 is an example of a "center of rotation". By operating the indexing motor 56, the rotary table 52 can be rotated around its axis with the Z direction as the axis, or stopped.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the rotation direction of the rotary table 52 in this embodiment is clockwise in a plan view. Sixteen pipe fixing jigs 53 are erected on the upper surface of the rotary table 52 at equal intervals of 22.5° along the circumference. All sixteen pipe fixing jigs 53 have the same structure.

[0042] Figure 7 is a side view showing only the rotary table 52 and a pair of pipe fixing jigs 53 located opposite each other on the circumference of the rotary table 52, out of the 16 pipe fixing jigs 53. The other 14 pipe fixing jigs 53 are not shown. Each pipe fixing jig 53 includes a slide base 58, a support column 59, a clamp rod 60, a clamp bolt 61, and a lead screw 66 (see Figure 8).

[0043] The slide base 58 is a rectangular plate-shaped member and is fixed to the upper surface of the rotary table 52 with its radial direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "radial direction") as its longitudinal direction. A support column 59 is attached to the upper surface of the slide base 58 so as to be displaceable in the radial direction.

[0044] The support column 59 is an H-shaped column extending in the Z direction. The support column 59 is connected to the nut 66B of the feed screw 66 located inside the rotary table 52 via an upper connecting fitting 68 and a lower connecting fitting 67 (see Figure 10). A removable handle 62 is fitted to the radially outer end of the screw shaft 66A. When the handle 62 is turned, the screw shaft 66A rotates, and the nut 66B and the support column 59 are displaced together in the radial direction of the rotary table 52.

[0045] In the pipe fixing jig 53 of this embodiment, the upper connecting fitting 68 is not fixed to the lower connecting fitting 67 and can be slightly displaced in the radial direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the protrusion 67A formed on the upper surface of the lower connecting fitting 67 fits into the recess 68A formed on the lower surface of the upper connecting fitting 68, and is designed to catch on radial displacement, so that the radial displacement of the nut 66B is transmitted to the support column 59.

[0046] The radial length of the recess 68A is greater than the radial length of the protrusion 67A, creating a gap G inside the recess 68A. Even if the lower connecting fitting 67 does not displace, the upper connecting fitting 68 can be displaced radially by the amount of the gap G. Therefore, even if the screw shaft 66A is not rotated and the position of the nut 66B does not change, if an external force is applied to the support column 59, the support column 59 will be displaced radially.

[0047] A spring mounting bracket 69 is attached to the radially outer side of the upper connecting bracket 68. A spring (an example of an "elastic body") 70 is attached radially inward from a position slightly below the spring mounting bracket 69. The spring 70 is in contact with the side surface of the lower connecting bracket 67. The elastic force of the spring 70 biases the spring mounting bracket 69 radially outward.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, a small bevel gear 64A, which rotates coaxially with the screw shaft 66A, is attached to the radially inner end of the screw shaft 66A. The small bevel gear 64A meshes with a large bevel gear 64B located below it. The large bevel gear 64B is a substantially disc-shaped bevel gear with its rotation center C2 of the rotary table 52. The 16 small bevel gears 64A are interconnected via the large bevel gear 64B. When any one of the screw shafts 66A is rotated, all of the screw shafts 66A rotate synchronously. As the screw shafts 66A rotate, the 16 support columns 59 are displaced radially in conjunction, moving evenly closer to or further away from the center C2.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, a through hole is provided at a lower position of the support column 59, and a clamp base 65 is inserted through this through hole. A clamp rod 60 extending in the Z direction is erected at the radially inner end of the clamp base 65. The clamp base 65 and the clamp rod 60 are displaceable radially relative to the support column 59. A radially oriented threaded hole is formed on the radially outer side of the clamp base 65, and a clamp bolt 61 is screwed into this threaded hole.

[0050] Loosening the clamp bolt 61 widens the gap between the support column 59 and the clamp rod 60, and tightening the clamp bolt 61 narrows the gap between the support column 59 and the clamp rod 60. By inserting the pipe T between the support column 59 and the clamp rod 60, the pipe T can be fixed to the support column 59. The clamp bolt 61, support column 59, and clamp rod 60 together constitute an example of a "clamping mechanism".

[0051] Next, with reference to Figure 9, the procedure for fixing the pipe T using the pipe fixing jig 53 will be described. Move the rotary table 52 to the loading / unloading position, and rotate the handle 62 to adjust the position of the pair of opposing support columns 59 so that the distance between them is greater than the diameter (outer diameter) of the pipe T to be cut. Also, loosen the clamp bolts 61 so that the distance between the support columns 59 and the clamp rod 60 is greater than or equal to the wall thickness of the pipe T.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9(A), the pipe T, which has been lifted by a crane or the like (not shown), is brought close to the rotary table 52 from above. The pipe T is lowered so that it fits between the support column 59 and the clamp rod 60.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 9(B), the handle 62 is attached to the screw shaft 66A and rotated to displace the support columns 59 in a direction approaching the center C2. As described above, as the handle 62 rotates, all the support columns 59 are displaced equally with respect to the center C2. The multiple support columns 59 are pressed evenly against the side of the pipe T from the outside, temporarily fixing the pipe T in place. During temporary fixing, the pipe T is aligned (centered) so that the center C1 and the center C2 of the rotary table 52 coincide.

[0054] In this configuration, rotating the handle 62 allows all the support columns 59 to move evenly closer to the center C2. Since it is not necessary to individually adjust the position of the support columns 59 for centering, the centering of the pipe T can be done in a short time.

[0055] Next, the pipe T is gripped by the clamping mechanism. As shown in Figure 9(C), the clamp bolts 61 are tightened to bring the clamp rod 60 closer to the support column 59. When the clamp rod 60 comes into contact with the inside of the pipe T, the pipe T is gripped by the support column 59 and the clamp rod 60. Once all the clamp bolts 61 are tightened, the pipe T is permanently fixed in place. Even if the pipe T is cut and divided into individual pieces T2 (see Figure 13) after this, each piece T2 will not fall over because it is clamped from both the inside and the outside.

[0056] Figure 10 shows the state of each component around the pipe fixing jig 53 when the final fixing is complete. After the final fixing is complete, the handle 62 is turned to displace the nut 66B radially outward, accumulating elastic force in the spring 70. Before cutting the pipe T, a portion of the pipe T fixed by the pipe fixing jig 53 is connected to other portions of the pipe T and is mutually constrained. However, when the pipe T is cut and divided into individual pieces T2 (see Figure 13), the constraint is removed. Then, due to the elastic force of the spring 70, the gripped individual piece T2, along with the spring mounting bracket 69, upper connecting bracket 68, support column 59, and clamp rod 60, is displaced radially outward. As a result, in subsequent cuts (cuts from cutting point B onward, described later), when the pipe T is cut into individual pieces T2, the cutting groove T1 (the gap between adjacent individual pieces T2) widens to be greater than the width of the band saw blade 33, thus preventing the band saw blade 33 from being caught in the cutting groove T1. As a result, when the band saw blade 33 rises after cutting, the upward speed of the band saw blade 33 can be increased, allowing the band saw blade 33 to return to its original position in a short time, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0057] 1.4 Control Panel Next, the control panel 82 will be described. As shown in Figure 11, the control panel 82 has a control unit 80 and an operation unit 81. The control unit 80 is composed of a sequencer, CPU, etc. The control unit 80 controls the rotation speed, rotation direction, ON / OFF timing, etc., of the motors (saw blade motor 35, lifting motor 24, indexing motor 56, table moving motor 55) of the cutting device 10 according to a predetermined operation program.

[0058] The control unit 81 is equipped with various buttons for operating the cutting device 10, switches for changing settings, and lamps to indicate the status of the cutting device 10. The operator uses the control unit 81 to start and stop cutting the pipe T with the cutting device 10, and to change settings.

[0059] 2. Process Description Next, the process of cutting the pipe T in the axial direction will be explained with reference to the cutting flowchart shown in Figure 12. At the start of the work, the temporary and permanent fixing of the pipe T to the rotary table 52 described above has been completed, and the rotary table 52 is in the loading / unloading position.

[0060] The operator operates the switch on the control unit 81 to rotate the rotary table 52 so that the position of the band saw blade 33 relative to the pipe fixing jig 53 coincides with the dashed line A in Figure 13(A) in a plan view (rotation stop position) (S10). Since the dashed line A does not coincide with the pipe fixing jig 53 in a plan view, lowering the band saw blade 33 at the position of the dashed line A allows for cutting only the pipe T without interfering with the pipe fixing jig 53.

[0061] After fixing the pipe T in place, the worker operates the switch on the control unit 81 to change the number of divisions of the pipe T to any number from 2, 4, 8, or 16 divisions (S20). In this embodiment, the case of dividing the pipe T into 16 divisions (16 equal parts) is described, but it is also possible to divide it into different sizes instead of equal parts.

[0062] When the number of divisions is set to "16" by operating the switch and the operation switch on the control unit 81 is turned ON, automatic operation by the control unit 80 begins.

[0063] The control unit 80 moves the rotary table 52, to which the pipe T is fixed, horizontally to the cutting position (the position where the center C2 of the rotary table 52 is directly below the band saw blade 33).

[0064] The control unit 80 operates the saw blade motor 35 to drive the band saw blade 33 in a circular motion. Next, it operates the lifting motor 24 to lower the lifting table 23. As the lifting table 23 lowers, the band saw blade 33 also lowers (S30).

[0065] Figure 14 shows the state around the band saw blade 33 as it is descending. When the lifting table 23 is lowered, the band saw blade 33 first comes into contact with the pipe T and a cutting groove T1 is formed, and then the disc wedge 42 enters the cutting groove T1. When the disc wedge 42 enters the cutting groove T1, the cutting groove T1 is pushed open. This prevents the cut pipe T from bending or tilting during cutting by the band saw blade 33 (during descent), which would cause the cutting groove T1 to close and trap the band saw blade 33, thus allowing the cutting of the pipe T to continue.

[0066] The control unit 80 continues to lower the lifting table 23, and the band saw blade 33 reaches the lower end of the pipe T. At this point, the cutting at the position of the dashed line A shown in Figure 13(A) is completed, and the pipe T is divided into two. The control unit 80 also counts up the number of cuts.

[0067] Next, the control unit 80 reverses the rotation direction of the lifting motor 24 to raise the lifting table 23 (S40). Figure 15 shows the state around the band saw blade 33 as it rises. When the lifting table 23 is raised, the disc wedge 42 enters the cutting groove T1, and then the band saw blade 33 enters the cutting groove T1 which has been widened by the disc wedge 42. This prevents the band saw blade 33 from getting caught in the cutting groove T1, and allows the band saw blade 33 to be raised back to its original position.

[0068] The saw blade guide 36 rotatably holds the disc wedge 42. This allows the disc wedge 42 to move vertically while remaining inserted, even if it enters the cutting groove T1 and is clamped from both sides, by rotating around its axis. This prevents the disc wedge 42 from becoming trapped in the cutting groove T1 and unable to move during both its downward (cutting) and upward (return) movements.

[0069] When the lifting table 23 rises to its original position, the control unit 80 determines whether the pipe T has been divided into the number of divisions set in S10 (S50). The number of divisions increases by 2 each time the number of cuts is counted up. As described above, the number of divisions set in this embodiment is 16. Since only one cut has been completed at the dashed line A shown in Figure 13(A) (hereinafter also referred to as cutting location A), the number of divisions is 2, and it is determined that the division has not been achieved.

[0070] Since the set number of divisions has not been reached, the control unit 80 rotates the rotary table 52 (S60). In this embodiment, since the pipe T is divided into 16 sections, the rotation angle for each section is 360° / 16 = 22.5°.

[0071] The control unit 80 starts cutting (second time) with the band saw blade 33 (S30). The second cutting location is cutting location B, which is shifted 22.5° from the previous cutting location A.

[0072] When the band saw blade 33 reaches the lower end of the pipe T and the cutting at cutting point B is completed, the pipe T, which has been cut at two points, cutting point A and cutting point B, is divided into four individual pieces T2, resulting in a total of four divisions. The control unit 80 raises the lifting table 23 (S40) and determines whether the set number of divisions has been reached (S50).

[0073] As explained above, in the loop from S30 to S60, until YES is determined in S50, the cutting of pipe T and the rotation of the rotary table 52 by 22.5° are repeated alternately, and the pipe is cut sequentially from cutting point A to H as shown in Figure 13(A). In the 8th loop, pipe T is cut at cutting point H. At this time, as shown in Figure 13(B), pipe T has been divided into 16 individual pieces T2 at 22.5° intervals, and the set number of divisions has been reached (S50: YES), so the cutting process is terminated.

[0074] Once the cutting process is complete, the control unit 80 automatically moves the rotary table 52 from the cutting position to the loading / unloading position, after which the operator loosens the clamp bolts 61 to remove the cut pieces T2.

[0075] 3. Explanation of Effects (1) As shown in Figure 12, the cutting device 10 according to this embodiment divides the pipe T by alternately cutting the pipe T with the cutting unit 20 (band saw blade 33) and rotating the pipe T around its axis with the rotating support unit 50 (rotary table 52) until the individual pieces T2 reach a predetermined number of divisions.

[0076] This allows the pipe T to be cut multiple times along its axial direction, dividing it into individual pieces T2. The more individual pieces T2 are divided into, the smaller the weight and size of each piece T2 becomes, making it easier for workers to handle and improving the efficiency of post-cutting operations (e.g., decontamination and transportation).

[0077] Furthermore, since the cutting device 10 performs both the cutting of the pipe T and rotation around its axis, no operation or setup changes by the worker are required until the pipe is cut into a predetermined number of sections, thus reducing the burden on the worker.

[0078] (2) In this configuration, the disc wedge 42 is located on the cutting line when the band saw blade 33 cuts the pipe T, and is positioned behind (above) the band saw blade 33 with respect to the direction of movement of the band saw blade 33 during cutting (downward).

[0079] As a result, the disc wedge 42 enters the groove T1 of the pipe T created by the band saw blade 33, preventing the groove T1 from closing. Because the groove T1 is pushed open by the disc wedge 42, the band saw blade 33 does not get caught in the groove T1 during cutting, and the cutting of the pipe T is not interrupted.

[0080] Furthermore, when the band saw blade 33 returns in the opposite direction to the cutting direction (upward) through the cutting groove T1, the disc wedge 42 enters the cutting groove T1 before the band saw blade 33 and widens the cutting groove T1, so that the band saw blade 33 is not caught in the cutting groove T1. This prevents the band saw blade 33 from being caught both when the band saw blade 33 is cutting the pipe T and when the band saw blade 33 returns after cutting.

[0081] (3) In this configuration, the disc wedge 42 is disc-shaped, with its thickness increasing towards the center, and rotates about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the band saw blade 33 (Z direction, up and down direction) (X direction). In this way, even if the disc wedge 42 enters the cutting groove T1 and gets caught, the disc wedge 42 can rotate, allowing it to move up and down together with the band saw blade 33 while still inside the cutting groove T1.

[0082] (4) In this configuration, the band saw blade 33 contacts the pipe T at two opposing points on the pipe T, and can cut at both points simultaneously. This allows the pipe T to be divided into multiple individual pieces T2 in a short amount of time.

[0083] (5) In this configuration, when cutting pipe T into two or more sections, when pipe T is cut into individual pieces T2, the clamping mechanism displaces one of the gripping pieces radially outward from pipe T. This makes the gap in the cutting groove T1 wider than the saw blade thickness, which increases the upward speed of the saw blade and improves work efficiency.

[0084] <Other Embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the cutting of pipe T and the rotation after cutting were repeated 8 times from cutting point A to H, but the number of repetitions is not limited to 8. Any number of repetitions is acceptable as long as pipe T can be divided into at least two or more individual pieces T2.

[0085] (2) In the above embodiment, the cutting portion 20 had a disc wedge 42 that entered the cutting groove T1, but the cutting portion 20 does not have to have a disc wedge 42.

[0086] (3) In the above embodiment, the wedge (disc wedge 42) is a disc shape in which the thickness increases as it approaches the center, and is rotatable about the X direction as an axis. The shape of the wedge is not limited to a disc shape, but may be a rectangular plate shape or a rod shape. Furthermore, the wedge may not rotate.

[0087] (4) In the above embodiment, the case in which the saw blade of the cutting section 20 is a band saw blade 33 was described as an example, but it does not have to be a band saw blade. Other types of saw blades such as a reciprocating saw or a wire saw may also be used. Also, it is not necessary to cut the two places of the pipe at the same time, and it may be cut one place at a time with a reciprocating saw or a wire saw.

[0088] (5) In the above embodiment, the disc wedge 42 is provided only on the upstream side in the circumferential direction of the band saw blade 33, but it may also be on the downstream side. It may also be on both the upstream and downstream sides.

[0089] (6) In the above embodiment, the disc wedge 42 is provided on the outside of the pipe T, but it may also be on the inside of the pipe T.

[0090] (7) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the disc wedge 42 is attached to the saw blade guide 36 was illustrated, but the disc wedge 42 may be attached to a member other than the saw blade guide 36.

[0091] (8) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the pipe T is cut when the center C1 of the pipe T is located directly below the band saw blade 33. The pipe T may be cut even when the center C1 of the pipe T is not directly below the band saw blade 33.

[0092] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a pipe T is divided into 16 individual pieces using a rotary table having 16 pipe fixing jigs 53. The number of pipe fixing jigs is not limited to 16. The number of divisions is not limited to 16 and can be set to any number that does not exceed the number of pipe fixing jigs 53. In addition, the number of pipe fixing jigs 53 on the rotary table may be changed according to the number of divisions of the pipe. For example, if the number of divisions is 8, the pipe T can be divided using a rotary table having 8 pipe fixing jigs 53. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10 Cutting device 20 Cut section 21 Lifting device 22 Bandsaw 33 Bandsaw blades 36, 39 Saw blade guide 42. Circular wedge (an example of a "wedge") 50 Rotating support section 52 Rotating Table 53 Pipe fixing jig 80 Control Unit 81 Operation section 82 Control Panel T Piping T1 groove T2 piece

Claims

1. A cutting device for cutting pipes in the axial direction, A rotating support part that supports the aforementioned piping so that it can rotate around an axis, A cutting unit that moves along the axial direction of the aforementioned pipe and cuts the pipe in the axial direction, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit performs control to alternately repeat the cutting of the pipe by the cutting unit and the rotation of the pipe by the rotating support unit after cutting. The aforementioned rotating support part is A rotating table on which the piping is placed, The rotating table comprises a plurality of pipe fixing jigs provided around the rotation center, which are evenly positioned to approach or move away from the rotation center, By pressing multiple pipe fixing jigs against the side surface of the pipe placed on the rotating table, the pipe is centered so that its center coincides with the center of rotation. The aforementioned pipe fixing jig is A clamping mechanism for gripping the aforementioned pipe, The clamping mechanism comprises an elastic body that biases the clamping mechanism toward the radially outward direction of the pipe, The elastic body is a cutting device that, when the pipe is cut into multiple pieces by the cutting section, displaces one of the pieces gripped by the clamping mechanism toward the radially outward direction of the pipe.

2. A cutting device according to claim 1, The aforementioned cut portion is A saw blade and It has a wedge, The wedge is located on the cutting line in which the saw blade cuts the pipe, and is positioned behind the saw blade with respect to the direction of movement of the cutting portion during cutting, in a cutting device.

3. A cutting device according to claim 2, The wedge is disc-shaped, with its thickness increasing towards the center. A cutting device that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutting section.

4. A cutting device according to claim 3, The cutting device is a band saw blade that is wrapped between pulleys to cut two opposing points on the pipe.

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