Machine for processing tubes and profiles with at least one adaptable support element for supporting the tube or profile during processing

Abstract

A machine (M) for laser processing, in particular for laser cutting, of tubes and profiles, is described, which comprises at least one support element (10) for supporting the tube or profile being processed. The support element (10) comprises: a main body (14), a channel-like outer portion (16) of which defines a receiving cavity (12) for the tube, an outer layer (18) which covers the receiving cavity (12) and is intended to come into contact with the tube or profile when the latter is resting on the support element (10), and an intermediate layer (20) interposed between the outer layer (18) and the outer portion (16) of the main body (14) so as to support the outer layer (18), wherein the intermediate layer (20) is made as an elastically deformable structure, in particular as a three- dimensional lattice structure comprising a plurality of elementary cells interconnected with each other, so as to act as a dampening layer.

Description

[0001] MACHINE FOR PROCESSING TUBES AND PROFILES WITH AT LEAST ONE ADAPTABLE SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR SUPPORTING THE TUBE OR PROFILE DURING PROCESSING

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser processing (e.g. laser cutting) of tubes and profiles.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for processing tubes and profiles comprising at least one support element for supporting the tube or profile during processing, wherein the support element has a cavity for receiving the tube or profile having, in cross-section, a variable shape profile, in particular a profile in the shape of an arc of circumference with a variable radius, so that it can be adapted to tubes and profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and sizes.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles, the tube or profile being processed is normally gripped at its rear end, or tail end, by the gripping means of a workpiece-carrying carriage and is supported and guided near the working area, where a working head performs the required processing on the tube or profile by means of a focused laser beam, by a support and guide device. The gripping means of the workpiece-carrying carriage define a feed axis of the machine, with which the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile is aligned during processing, while the support and guide device has the function of supporting and guiding the tube or profile being processed near the working head, ensuring that the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile is aligned with the feed axis of the machine. Typically, the workpiece-carrying carriage is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile to control the forward movement of the tube or profile and is also equipped with rotation control means to control the rotation of the tube or profile about its longitudinal axis, while the support and guide device is mounted in a fixed position on the machine base, upstream or downstream (with reference to the feed direction of the tube or profile) of the working head. In order to ensure that the tube or profile being processed is properly supported along its entire length, avoiding or at least reducing as much as possible any deviations of the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile with respect to the feed axis of the machine, the machine is generally equipped with support devices arranged between the workpiece- carrying carriage and the support and guide device. These support devices may be of the type comprising an adaptable support element, i.e. a support element with a cavity for receiving the tube or profile having, in cross-section (i.e. in a section plane perpendicular to the feed axis of the machine), a variable shape profile so that it can be adapted to tubes or profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and sizes. Typically, a support element of this type is mounted so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation extending transversely with respect to the tube or profile being processed, i.e. lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile, so as to allow each time to select, by rotating the support element about its axis of rotation, the crosssection of the receiving cavity with the profile that is most suitable for supporting the tube or profile being processed.

[0007] In particular, the use of a support element with a receiving cavity having, in cross-section, a circumference arc profile with a radius that varies according to 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 . In this case, the receiving cavity is typically shaped in such a way that the radius of the circumference arc profile increases, in particular continuously or gradually, with the rotation of the support element in a given direction.

[0008] A machine for processing tubes and profiles comprising a plurality of support elements for supporting the tube or profile during processing, wherein each support element has a receiving cavity for the tube or profile having, in cross-section, a variable shape profile, is known from WO2024 / 134412.

[0009] Especially in the case of processing slender tubes or profiles, which are easily subject to flexural vibration phenomena due to the rapid accelerations, both in the translational movement along the feed axis and in the rotational movement about the feed axis, which are imparted to the tube or profile by the workpiece-carrying carriage during processing, such support elements are also used as damping elements to at least partially dampen the vibrations of the tube or profile being processed. However, the damping properties of the known support elements are rather limited, and this results in a processing quality that is not always satisfactory. There is therefore a need to provide a support element that is capable not only of supporting the tube or profile being processed as the latter is moved towards the working head, as well as possibly rotated about its own axis, but also of more effectively damping the flexural vibrations to which tubes or profiles, in particular slender tubes or profiles, are subjected during processing.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case of machines designed to process large and therefore heavy tubes and profiles, such support elements are typically mounted on the relevant structures with springs placed in between to allow a certain amount of movement of the support elements in a transverse vertical plane, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis of the machine, so as to prevent any movement of the tube or profile, given the high inertia of the latter, from causing damage to the components of the structures on which the support elements are mounted.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular a machine for laser processing (e.g. laser cutting) of tubes and profiles, with a support element for supporting a tube or profile that offers better performance compared to the prior art in terms of its ability to dampen the flexural vibrations of the tube or profile being processed.

[0013] This and other objects are fully achieved according to the present invention by means of a machine for processing tubes and profiles as defined in the attached independent claim 1.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the subject-matter of which is to be understood as forming an integral part of the following description.

[0015] In summary, the invention is based on the idea of using a support element comprising:

[0016] - a main body, an outer portion of which is shaped like a channel defining a receiving cavity for the tube or profile,

[0017] - an outer layer which covers the receiving cavity and is intended to come into contact with the tube or profile when the latter is resting on the support element, and

[0018] - an intermediate layer interposed between the outer layer and the channel-shaped outer portion of the main body so as to support the outer layer, wherein the intermediate layer is made as an elastically deformable structure configured to act as a damping layer. Thanks to the use of such an intermediate layer, it is possible to create a support element highly capable of dampening the flexural vibrations of the tube or profile that is supported by the support element during processing.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the intermediate layer is made as a three-dimensional lattice structure comprising a plurality of elementary cells interconnected with each other. Preferably, the support element, or at least its intermediate layer, is obtained using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies. By controlling the design parameters of the lattice, such as the thickness of the arms or the size and geometry of the elementary cell, it is possible to create an intermediate layer with predefined mechanical characteristics. Furthermore, by varying the parameters within the same lattice, it is possible to obtain areas of the intermediate layer with differentiated mechanical responses, depending on the variation of the aforementioned parameters.

[0020] Advantageously, thanks to additive manufacturing, the intermediate layer of the support element can achieve levels of geometric complexity that cannot otherwise be reproduced with traditional manufacturing technologies, in particular with so-called subtractive technologies in which the component to be produced is obtained by removing material from a semi-finished product. In fact, although it is certainly possible to produce simple lattice structures using traditional manufacturing technologies, such as CNC machining, welding or casting, additive manufacturing allows highly complex lattice structures to be printed in a single phase in a more cost-effective manner.

[0021] Preferably, the outer layer is made as a separate piece with respect to the intermediate layer and is suitably connected in a removable manner to the outer portion of the main body. This allows only the outer layer to be replaced when worn or damaged, without the need to replace the remaining part of the support element. Furthermore, this makes it possible to use different materials for the outer layer and the intermediate layer, suitably chosen according to the characteristics required for these two parts of the support element. For example, the outer layer may be made of steel, to be used, given its wear resistance characteristics, in the processing of tubes or profiles made, for example, of construction steel, or of polymeric material, to be used, given its lower hardness characteristics, in the processing of tubes or profiles made, for example, of stainless steel, aluminium or other "delicate" materials.

[0022] The intermediate layer and the outer portion of the main body of the support element are preferably made in one piece, in particular from plastic material, and, in this case, are both preferably made using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies.

[0023] Even more preferably, the intermediate layer and the entire main body of the support element are made in one piece, in particular from plastic material, and, in this case, are both preferably made using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given purely byway of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 is a perspective view showing in part, and also schematically, a machine for processing tubes and profiles, specifically a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, according to the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the support elements of the machine of Figure 1 ;

[0028] - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the support element of Figure 2; and

[0029] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of only the outer layer of the support element of Figure 2.

[0030] Detailed description

[0031] With reference first to Figure 1 , a machine for processing tubes and profiles, which in this case is a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, but might be another type of machine for processing tubes and profiles in which there is a need to support the tube or profile being processed along its entire length or part of its length, is generally indicated by M.

[0032] The machine M comprises, in a manner known per se, a working head W designed to perform processing operations (which in this case consist of cutting operations, but might also include other types of operations, such as welding operations), in particular by means of a focused laser beam B, on a tube or profile (in the example illustrated, a tube with a circular cross-section indicated by T). Although the tube T shown in Figure 1 has a circular cross-section, the machine M is still capable of processing tubes with crosssections of any other shape, such as square or rectangular shape, as well as profiles or beams of any shape, such as C-profiles, T-profiles, I PE profiles, HEA profiles, and the like.

[0033] The machine M also includes a workpiece-carrying carriage (not shown, but of a type known per se) equipped with gripping means configured to grip the tube or profile at one end (tail end). These gripping means define a feed axis x of the machine, with which the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile is aligned during processing. During processing, the tube or profile is moved forward by the workpiece-carrying carriage along the feed axis x towards the working head W, as well as possibly rotated about this axis.

[0034] The machine M also includes a support system for supporting the tube or profile during processing, preferably not only upstream but also downstream of the working head W. This support system includes a plurality of support devices S, each of which is provided with a support element 10 configured to provide a support surface for the tube or profile on which the tube or profile can slide during processing as a result of the forward movement of the tube or profile along the feed axis x, as well as possibly as a result of the rotational movement of the tube or profile about the feed axis x.

[0035] With reference now to Figures 2 and 3, each support element 10 has, in a manner known per se, a receiving cavity 12 adapted to partially accommodate a tube or profile (not shown) to be processed, so as not only to support the tube or profile vertically, but also to contain it laterally, preventing or at least limiting any oscillation or deviation of the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile with respect to the feed axis x of the machine that might occur during processing.

[0036] Preferably, the support element 10 is an adaptable support element, i.e. a support element capable of adapting to tubes and profiles of different shapes and sizes. In this case, as in the embodiment proposed herein, the receiving cavity 12 has, in crosssection (i.e. in a section plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine), a variable shape profile, in particular a circumference arc-shaped profile with a variable radius, so that it can adapt to tubes and profiles with cross-sections of different shapes and sizes. In particular, the receiving cavity 12 is shaped in such a way that the radius of the circumference arc profile of its cross-section varies continuously or gradually along the receiving cavity. For example, as in the embodiment proposed herein, the radius of the circumference arc profile of the cross-section of the receiving cavity 12 increases continuously or gradually in a given direction, so that by appropriately adjusting the orientation of the support element 10, it is possible to select the profile of the receiving cavity 12 that is most suitable for supporting the tube or profile being processed, depending on the shape and / or size of the tube or profile itself.

[0037] The support element 10 comprises a main body 14 having an outer channel-like portion 16 that forms the receiving cavity 12. According to a preferred embodiment (not shown), the main body 14 may also comprise a plurality of connecting arms that connect a central portion of the body itself to the outer portion 16. This preferred configuration of the main body 14 has been obtained by applying generative design methodologies, but many other configurations may also be envisaged.

[0038] 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 as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation y lying in a transverse plane, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine. Preferably, the axis of rotation y will be oriented horizontally, but it might even be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the horizontal. In this way, by rotating the shaft on which the main body 14 is mounted, it is possible to select the profile of the receiving cavity 12 that is most suitable for coming into contact with the tube or profile being processed.

[0039] Advantageously, the main body 14 is made in one piece, for example from plastic material, in particular using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies.

[0040] The support element 10 further comprises an outer layer 18, which covers the receiving cavity 12 and is intended to come into contact with the tube or profile to be supported, and, between the outer layer 18 and the outer portion 16 of the main body 14, an intermediate layer 20.

[0041] The outer layer 18 may be made as a separate piece with respect to the intermediate layer 20, in which case it will be suitably fixed to the outer portion 16 of the main body 14, preferably in a removable manner so as to allow the replacement of only the outer layer 18 when that layer is worn or damaged, without the need to replace other parts of the support element 10. Furthermore, in this case, it is possible to use different materials for the outer layer 18 and for the intermediate layer 20, suitably chosen according to the characteristics required for these two parts of the support element 10. For example, the outer layer 18 may be made of steel, to be used, due to its wear resistance characteristics, in the processing of tubes made, for example, of construction steel, or of polymeric material, to be used, due to its lower hardness characteristics, in the processing of tubes made, for example, of stainless steel, aluminium or other "delicate" materials. The outer layer 18 might also be made of other materials, such as composite material.

[0042] The outer layer 18 has a thickness comprised, for example, between 2 and 10 mm. The thickness of the outer layer 18 may be constant over the entire extent of that layer or, alternatively, may vary from area to area.

[0043] In the embodiment proposed herein, the outer layer 18 is connected to the outer portion 16 of the main body 14 by means of a plurality of mechanical connecting elements, in particular by means of screws (not shown) each inserted into a respective hole 22 provided in a respective mounting protrusion 24 formed by the outer layer 18. However, other connection arrangements are possible for removably securing the outer layer 18 to the outer portion 16.

[0044] The intermediate layer 20 is made as an elastically deformable structure (i.e. a structure capable of deforming when subjected to stress but returning to its undeformed state once the stress is not applied anymore) so as to act as a dampening layer, i.e. a layer capable of dampening vibrations and shocks. For example, the intermediate layer 20 may be designed as a structure with a geometry and / or density such as to impart vibration and shock absorbing properties. In particular, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the intermediate layer 20 is designed as a three-dimensional lattice structure comprising a plurality of elementary cells interconnected with each other. More specifically, the three-dimensional lattice structure forming the intermediate layer 20 is suitably designed to provide this layer with high vibration damping characteristics. In this way, the support element 10 has, compared to the prior art, a greater capacity to dampen the vibrations to which the tube or profile is subjected during processing. The intermediate layer 20 may also be suitably designed to meet additional requirements, for example in terms of stiffness, weight, heat exchange capacity, etc. The intermediate layer 20 is, for example, formed by a so-called "Voronoi" structure, which is well known for its energy absorption properties.

[0045] Preferably, particularly in the case where the intermediate layer 20 is designed as a three-dimensional lattice structure, this layer is manufactured using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies. Thanks to additive manufacturing, the three- dimensional lattice structure of the intermediate layer 20 can achieve levels of geometric complexity that cannot otherwise be reproduced with traditional manufacturing technologies, in particular so-called subtractive technologies in which the component to be produced is obtained by removing material from a semi-finished product.

[0046] The intermediate layer 20 has a thickness comprised, for example, between 2 and 10 mm, in particular between 4 and 7 mm. The thickness of the intermediate layer 20 may be constant over the entire extent of that layer or, alternatively, vary from area to area. The intermediate layer 20 may, however, be made in a different way from a three- dimensional lattice structure, for example, it may be made as an air cushion, it may be made of rubber or other polymeric material with vibration damping properties, or it may comprise a plurality of gel cushions.

[0047] The intermediate layer 20 and the outer portion 16 of the main body 14 may be made, particularly in the case where the intermediate layer 20 is formed by a three-dimensional lattice structure, in one piece, particularly from plastic material, and, in this case, they are both preferably made using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies. Even more preferably, the intermediate layer 20 and the entire main body 14 are made in one piece, in particular from plastic material, and, in this case, they are both advantageously made using additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies. Any of the following materials may be used as the plastic material: polyamide 12 (PA12), polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with carbon fibres, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyetherimide (PEI). However, other materials may also be used, in particular materials that have good mechanical properties and are suitable for additive manufacturing.

[0048] The present invention has been described herein with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It should be understood that other embodiments may be envisaged which share with the one described herein the same inventive core, as defined by the claims set out below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine for processing tubes and profiles, in particular for laser processing of tubes and profiles, comprising- a working head (W),- gripping means configured to grip the tube or profile to be processed at one end and feed the tube or profile along a feed axis (x) towards the working head (W) and / or rotate the tube or profile about said feed axis (x), and- a support system designed to support the tube or profile during processing, upstream and / or downstream of the working head (W), allowing the tube or profile to slide relative to the support system as a result of the translational movement of the tube or profile along said feed axis (x) and / or of the rotational movement of the tube or profile about said feed axis (x), wherein said support system comprises at least one support element (10) comprising a main body (14), having an outer portion (16) in the shape of a channel defining a receiving cavity (12) for the tube or profile, and an outer layer (18) which covers the receiving cavity (12) and is intended to come into contact with the tube or profile when the latter is resting on the support element (10), characterized in that said at least one support element (10) further comprises an intermediate layer (20) which is interposed between the outer layer (18) and the outer portion (16) of the main body (14) so as to support the outer layer (18) and is made as an elastically deformable structure configured to act as a dampening layer.

2. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer (20) is formed as a three- dimensional lattice structure comprising a plurality of elementary cells interconnected with each other.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer (20) is made of plastic material.

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate layer (20) and the outer portion (16) of the main body (14) are formed in one piece.

5. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate layer (20) and the entire main body (14) are made in one piece.

6. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer (20) is made of rubber or other polymeric material with vibration damping properties.

7. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer (20) is designed as an air cushion or comprises a plurality of gel cushions.

8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer layer (18) is formed as a separate piece with respect to the intermediate layer (20) and is removably connected to the outer portion (16) of the main body (14).

9. Machine according to claim 8, wherein the outer layer (18) forms a plurality of mounting protrusions (24) each having a respective hole (22) and is connected to the outer portion (16) of the main body (14) by means of a corresponding plurality of mechanical connecting members, in particular threaded connecting members, each inserted into a respective one of said holes (22).

10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving cavity (12) has, in cross-section, a variable-shaped profile, in particular a profile in the shape of an arc of circumference with a variable radius.

11. Machine according to claim 10, wherein the receiving cavity (12) is shaped such that the radius of the circumference arc profile of its cross-section varies continuously or gradually along the receiving cavity (12).

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