Metal Pipe Forming Layout That Clears Gas Supply Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In metal pipe forming systems, the gas supply unit often obstructs the transport path of metal pipe materials between preliminary forming, forming, and cutting devices, leading to increased moving mechanism size and longer forming cycle times.
Innovation Solution
The gas supply unit is strategically positioned off the direct transport paths between preliminary forming, forming, and cutting devices, allowing for a non-linear arrangement of these components, such as a V or U shape, to avoid obstruction and reduce the system's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the gas supply unit is disposed on the transport path between preliminary forming apparatus and forming apparatus, then the forming operation can be performed, but the gas supply unit becomes an obstacle that increases the size of moving mechanism and lengthens forming cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply unit is extracted from the transport path and positioned in a location that does not interfere with material flow. Specifically, the gas supply unit is arranged to supply gas to the metal pipe material from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, allowing forming operations while eliminating the need for large moving mechanisms and maintaining efficient cycle times.
2Ease of operation
If the gas supply unit is moved largely separated from the main body portion when metal pipe material is transported, then obstruction is avoided, but the size of moving mechanism increases and forming cycle time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the gas supply unit along the transport path (one-dimensional movement), the gas supply unit is positioned in a different spatial dimension - specifically, it supplies gas from a direction perpendicular to the transport path. This dimensional repositioning allows the gas supply unit to remain stationary while still performing its function, avoiding both obstruction and time loss.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gas supply unit is disposed on the transport path from forming apparatus to cutting device, then forming operation is enabled, but obstruction occurs that requires increased moving mechanism size
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply unit is positioned asymmetrically relative to the transport path, specifically offset to one side rather than centered on the path. This asymmetric positioning allows the gas supply unit to maintain its forming function while minimizing interference with the transport path, thereby reducing the overall system footprint and eliminating the need for oversized moving mechanisms.
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 configuration prevents the gas supply unit from obstructing metal pipe transport, reduces the need for large moving mechanisms, and decreases the overall site area required for the forming system, enabling more efficient processing without increasing the size of the moving mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a forming apparatus is known, which performs forming by supplying gas into a heated metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A disclosed forming system is a forming system which expands and forms a metal pipe in a die. The forming system includes a preliminary forming apparatus which preliminarily forms a metal pipe material, a forming apparatus which includes a gas supply unit which supplies gas into the preliminary-formed and heated metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material and a main body portion to which the die is attached, and a cutting device which cuts at least a portion of the formed metal pipe. The gas supply unit is provided so as not to be disposed on a first straight line which connects the preliminary forming apparatus and the main body portion in a plan view and a second straight line which connects the cutting device and the main body portion in a plan view.