Tube End Expansion and Indentation for Floating Mandrel Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual preparation of pipe ends for slide drawing is inefficient and lacks automation, requiring high precision to accommodate a sliding mandrel, especially in pipes made of soft metals like copper.
Innovation Solution
A device with an expanding mandrel and pressing member for automated expansion and indentation of the pipe end, allowing easy insertion of a floating mandrel, combined with an injector for lubrication and a pointing press for sharpening, enabling automated preparation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual preparation of pipe ends is used, then high precision can be achieved for right-angled preparation, but productivity is low and automation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical preparation operations with an automated system comprising a holding member, expanding mandrel, and pressing element. The holding member automatically centers and secures the pipe end, while the expanding mandrel and pressing element automatically create positioning indentations, eliminating manual intervention and significantly improving productivity while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed to automatically center and hold the pipe end without manual positioning. The pipe end self-aligns within the holding member's cavity, and the pressing element automatically creates indentations at the correct positions, enabling the system to perform preparation operations autonomously without requiring manual precision alignment.
2Productivity
If automated expansion with conical mandrel is used, then productivity is improved, but axial forces during expansion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member first secures the pipe end in a fixed, centered position before the expanding mandrel is inserted. This preliminary action prevents pipe movement during expansion, allowing the conical mandrel to generate axial expansion forces without requiring excessive force to overcome pipe displacement or misalignment, thereby reducing the overall axial forces needed while maintaining automated productivity.
3Device complexity
If floating mandrel is inserted directly into unexpanded pipe end, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing element creates positioning indentations in the pipe end before the floating mandrel is inserted. These pre-formed indentations provide reliable positioning references that guide the mandrel into the correct position, ensuring reproducible and accurate mandrel placement without requiring complex positioning mechanisms or devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning indentations act as an intermediary feature between the pipe end and the floating mandrel. These indentations provide a mechanical interface that ensures accurate mandrel positioning and retention, bridging the gap between the simple insertion mechanism and the requirement for reliable mandrel placement.
4Reliability
If multiple indentations are created for mandrel retention, then mandrel positioning is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing element is designed with a single pressing element that performs multiple functions: it creates both the first indentation for initial mandrel positioning and the second indentation for mandrel retention. This multi-functional design achieves reliable mandrel retention through multiple indentations without requiring separate devices or complex mechanisms for each indentation, thereby maintaining device simplicity while improving reliability.
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
Ensures reliable and automated positioning and fixation of the sliding mandrel within the pipe end, reducing manual errors and enhancing the efficiency of the slide drawing process by maintaining defined dimensions and reducing axial forces during expansion.
Implementation Method 1
The pipe end is automatically widened by means of a conical expanding mandrel
Implementation Method 2
a press element for creating at least one indentation for holding the floating mandrel
Implementation Method 3
EP 0 189 293 A2 describes certain further developments of mandrels for drawing tubes in conjunction with a lubricant supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for preparing a tube end (4) for drawing by sliding action with a floating mandrel, comprising a detachable holder (2) for centrally holding of the tube end (4), wherein the tube end (4) is automatically expanded by means of a conical expansion mandrel (10).