Inner Flange Processing with Rotating In-Tube Fixturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high precision processing equipment for tubular structures with inner flanges is limited by the distance from the flange to the ends of the structure, making it difficult to process both sides effectively, especially when the distance exceeds the reach of conventional lifting equipment.
Innovation Solution
A flange processing device with a body portion and intermediate members, equipped with detachable fixation elements and a processing unit, allows rotation to access and process both sides of the flange by attaching and repositioning to facilitate complete processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed processing equipment is used, then processing precision can be achieved, but the equipment cannot access flanges located far from the ends of the tubular structure
Solution Approach 1:
The processing equipment is transformed from a fixed configuration to a movable one, allowing it to be transported along the tubular structure to reach flanges at various positions. The device includes movable mounting means that enable positioning at different locations, and the carriage can be relocated to access flanges far from structure ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing equipment is divided into separable components: a processing unit, mounting means, and a carriage. This segmentation allows the processing unit to be mounted on different carriers or repositioned along the structure, providing flexibility to access flanges at various positions while maintaining processing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the processing equipment is permanently fixed to process one side of the flange, then high precision processing can be achieved, but the equipment cannot process the opposite side without removal and reinsertion
Solution Approach 1:
The processing equipment is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to process both sides of the flange from a single position. The carriage can accommodate processing units oriented to access either side of the flange, eliminating the need for removal and reinsertion while maintaining high precision processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage and processing unit are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing rotation or repositioning to access both sides of the flange. This dynamic capability enables the equipment to maintain its fixed high-precision position while still processing both flange surfaces efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If manual processing is performed by staff entering the tubular structure, then some flexibility is achieved, but sufficient flatness cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The processing equipment is designed to be self-contained with integrated processing units, mounting mechanisms, and positioning capabilities. The automated processing system performs the flattening operation with precision that manual methods cannot achieve, while the movable design provides the operational flexibility previously requiring human entry.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A flange processing device (2) for processing a surface of an inner flange (6) of a tubular structure (8) is disclosed. The flange processing device (2) comprises a body portion (34), wherein a plurality of intermediate members (16) is attached to and protrudes from the body portion (34), wherein a moveably arranged fixation element (24, 25) is provided at the distal end of each intermediate member (16), wherein each fixation element (24, 25) is configured to provide a detachable attachment of the fixation element (24, 25) to the flange (6). The flange processing device (2) comprises a processing unit (12) moveably attached to the body portion (34), wherein the processing unit (12) is arranged and configured to process the surface of the flange (6). The flange processing device (2) comprises a rotation unit (18, 18') configured to rotate the body portion (34) about an axis (L) extending along a length of one of the intermediate members (16).