Embossed Stainless Pipe Forming for Precise Diameter and Pattern Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing embossed stainless steel pipe manufacturing processes face challenges in accurately setting the width of flat stainless steel sheets for precise outer diameters, managing increased hardness and tensile strength in thick sheets, adjusting gaps for smooth curving and rounding, and preventing pattern deformation during the manufacturing of embossed stainless steel pipes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a slitting machine to accurately cut flat stainless steel sheets with vertical planes, a tempering device to reduce hardness, and an optimized gap adjustment mechanism between rollers to ensure smooth curving and rounding, while maintaining the integrity of embossed patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large-width flat stainless steel sheet is used to manufacture embossed stainless steel pipes, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision of outer diameter deteriorates due to difficulty in setting the width corresponding to the outer diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidouter diameter precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the large-width flat stainless steel sheet into multiple smaller-width sheets using a slitting machine. This allows the production process to handle sheets of optimal width for precise embossed pipe manufacturing while maintaining high productivity through efficient utilization of the original large sheet material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the gap between curving rollers is adjusted for smooth curving of thick stainless steel sheets, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to pattern deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of curvingVSAvoidembossed pattern precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting the gap between curving rollers to optimal values that balance smooth curving of thick stainless steel sheets with preservation of embossed pattern precision. Through experimental optimization, specific gap parameters are determined that enable both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the embossed degree is increased to enhance product quality, then the product quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to need for precise gap adjustment and elasticity management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidgap adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical gap adjustment mechanisms with a hydraulic pressing system. The hydraulic press provides precise, controllable force application that achieves high embossed degrees without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for the precise manufacturing of embossed stainless steel pipes with accurate outer diameters, improved quality, and reduced defects by ensuring the correct sheet width, tempering for reduced hardness, and optimal roller gap adjustments, enhancing productivity and quality.

Implementation Method 1

a tempering device installed between the embossing machine and the pipe mill to temper the flat stainless steel sheet having a thickness of 2.5 mm or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 2

a slitting machine configured to slit a large-width flat stainless steel sheet into a plurality of flat sheets such that side surfaces of each of the slit flat stainless steel sheets are formed vertically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting:

Implementation Method 3

an embossing press roller including an upper roller having a relief embossing pattern formed thereon and a lower roller having an intaglio embossing pattern formed thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pressure:

Implementation Method 4

a pipe mill configured to curve and round the embossed stainless steel sheet supplied through the embossing machine in order to manufacture an embossed pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 5

the pipe mill being configured to weld the weld seam portion of the embossed stainless steel pipe in order to complete the embossed stainless steel pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3785816B1Embossed stainless pipe manufacturing apparatus and embossed stainless pipe manufacturing method using same
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 LEE BOHYUN
  • EP3785816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are an embossed stainless steel pipe manufacturing apparatus capable of changing the construction of an embossed stainless steel sheet such that the embossed stainless steel sheet is efficiently welded, selecting a welding means suitable for the construction of the embossed stainless steel sheet, and smoothly manufacturing an embossed stainless steel pipe from a thick stainless steel sheet using a tempering electric furnace and an embossed stainless steel pipe manufacturing method improved through the addition of a molten fusion process using the same material suitable for an embossed stainless steel pipe requiring narrow, precise, and accurate welding.