Pipe Section Machining Line for Automated Cutting and Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual cutting, welding, and derusting of pipe sections in construction and engineering are inefficient, particularly when attaching large fittings, leading to labor-intensive work and suboptimal output.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent machining line comprising a cutting station, assembly station, and finished product station, equipped with conveyors, clamping modules, cutting modules, welding modules, and transfer modules, automated by a control unit to streamline the process of cutting, welding, and derusting pipe sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual cutting, welding, and derusting are performed on construction sites, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but productivity is significantly reduced and labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation flexibilityVSAvoidproduction output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated machinery systems. Cutting machines, welding robots, and derusting equipment perform operations that were previously done manually, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while dramatically increasing productivity and reducing labor intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The machining line is divided into distinct functional modules: cutting station, assembly station, and derusting station. Each module handles specific operations independently, allowing for optimized automation of each process while maintaining overall system flexibility through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If large flanges and branch pipes are attached and welded manually, then adaptability to complex fittings is maintained, but productivity falls far short of actual demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of various fittingsVSAvoidoutput rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs automated welding robots and specialized positioning equipment to handle complex fittings such as large flanges and branch pipes. These automated systems maintain the adaptability to handle various fitting configurations while dramatically increasing the assembly and welding productivity to meet actual demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly station is designed with universal positioning fixtures and adjustable clamping mechanisms that can accommodate different types of fittings (flanges, branch pipes, elbow pipes). This multi-functional design maintains versatility in handling various fitting configurations while enabling high-speed automated assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If separate procedures are used for cutting, welding, and derusting, then process simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity increases and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess structureVSAvoidmanual labor requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cutting, welding, and derusting operations into an integrated automated machining line. The conveyor system connects these previously separate procedures into a continuous automated flow, reducing manual labor requirements and minimizing waste through optimized material handling and process sequencing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated machining line implements continuous operation where pipes are continuously conveyed through cutting, assembly, and derusting stations without interruption. This eliminates idle time and manual repositioning between operations, maintaining process simplicity while dramatically reducing labor intensity and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250282011A1Intelligent machining line for pipe sections and method for machining same

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 CHINA CONSTR THIRD ENG BUREAU GRP CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an intelligent machining line for pipe sections and a method for machining same. The intelligent machining line for pipe sections includes: a cutting station, an assembly station, a finished product station, and a derusting station. The cutting station includes a first material conveying module, a clamping module and a cutting module. The assembly station includes a support module, a welding module, a first fitting storage module and a first transfer module. The finished product station includes a second transfer module and a finished product storage module. The first transfer module includes a driving structure and a grabbing assembly. The grabbing assembly is configured to grab a pipe section to be machined, a fitting or an assembled pipe section, and the driving structure is configured to drive the grabbing assembly to move among the assembly station, the cutting station and the finished product station.