TPT September 2013

Technology News

Milestone for tool-independent tube forming

COMPLEX requirements that place increasing demands on efficiency are mission-critical challenges for tube forming applications. This is particularly true for shipbuilding. The high investment in the tooling needed for forming machines has been an unnecessary cost driver. A corresponding tool had to be available for every possible combination of tube geometry and diameter. The engineers at transfluid Maschinenbau recognised this in 2011. At that time, they developed an efficient solution for the tool-independent forming of tube ends with the first CNC rotary forming machine. With a second new process, the company is now marking a further milestone in forming – without the tooling complexity. “We have managed to develop a flaring machine that has a positively guided cone. The machine only requires a clamp for flanging jobs,” said transfluid managing director Gerd Nöker. Attention to detail allowed the company’s engineers to develop the technology to a commercially viable level. This means that the flaring cone no longer corresponds with the forming geometry, as with conventional systems. The benefits include a lower investment in tooling and a manufacturing process optimised to the cycle-time, because the shape is sometimes achieved in two forming stages, or the flange is fitted to the tube end by welding. Because

The new transfluid flaring machine provides an efficient method of tube processing

tubes of 42.4 to 325mm. The transitional radius between the tube and flange can be freely selected and the radius can be very angular or well rounded. transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH – Germany Email: info@transfluid.de Website: www.tube-processing-machines.com

the flaring cone is located on a rotating shaft it is relatively difficult to control. This is why the cone is allowed to swing freely and only the axial feed is used as a ‘control medium’. This makes the construction of the whole machine simple and robust, and all forming options remain open during the forming process itself. The first machine, which was recently delivered, is capable of flanging

Triple station notcher for pipe ends

maintenance-free service. Individual removable punches allow for ease of sharpening. Tooling can be used in a mechanical punch press, iron worker or H237MP hydraulic mini press. Standard tool sets are available for any combination of 1", 1¼", 1½" and 2" pipe sizes.

INNOVO Corporation manufactures tube and pipe fabrication tooling and equipment. The company has introduced the 237SUT single unit triple station notcher for producing 90° joints on pipe ends. The design allows the user to combine three common sizes in a single unit, reducing the amount of tooling required and tool changeover time. A hardened housing combined with hardened D-2 tool steel cutting members will provide years of

Innovo Corporation – USA Fax: +1 847 616 0059 Email: info@innovo.us Website: www.innovo.us

H237MP hydraulic mini press

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S eptember 2013