Apparatus for bending individual and grouped pipes

Abstract

An apparatus for bending individual and grouped pipes has several bending stations in succession and at least one transfer unit. As a result, the pipes that are to be bent can be provided with different bends in the first bending station and can then be transferred to the next bending station for further bending operations. While the next bending station is processing a first pipe, the previous pending station can be processing a further pipe.

1 . Apparatus ( 1 ) for bending individual ( 4 ) and grouped ( 16 ) pipes, wherein several bending stations ( 3 ) in succession and at least one transfer unit ( 5 , 8 ) are provided.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bending stations ( 3 ) are preceded by an infeed unit ( 2 ).  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the infeed unit ( 2 ) is designed in such a way that different pipes ( 4 ) can be fed in on a cycled basis.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein every bending station ( 3 ) has one or more bending units ( 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 ), which are capable of providing the pipes ( 4 ) with bends preferably from the outside to the inside.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein in the case of multiple bending units ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) the bending units ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) are able to provide the pipes ( 4 ) with bends alternately.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the bending unit ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) is designed so that it can move at least in the longitudinal direction of the pipe.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the bending unit ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) and/or its bending fingers are designed to rotate and/or pivot, preferably around the pipe axis.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the bending unit ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) is designed to permit free, three-dimensional movement.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the bending unit ( 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 ) is provided on a robot arm or similar device.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit ( 8 ) is provided between the bending stations ( 3 ).  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit ( 8 ) is designed to permit movement in the longitudinal direction of the pipe in particular.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a transfer beam is provided as the transfer unit ( 8 ).  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the transfer beam is located above or below.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit ( 8 ) has at least one swivelling gripper to take hold of and/or turn the pipes.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one and preferably two support units, which support and stabilise the pipes ( 4 ) preferably close to the ends of the pipes ( 4 ) and/or the pieces of the pipes that have not been bent yet, are provided in addition to the transfer unit ( 8 ).  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit ( 5 ,  8 ) has a transfer arm ( 31 ), which can be supported in such a way that the pipe ( 4 ) which is to be bent is transferred in a preferably horizontal plane.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein one end of the transfer arm ( 31 ) is designed to move along a preferably a preferably vertical axis.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the transfer arm ( 31 ) is supported in such a way that it can project in relation to its bearing when it is adjusted.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a control system ( 14 ) is provided which allows alternate bending of many different pipes ( 4 ).  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein pipes combined in groups are fed into the bending stations ( 3 ) and are bent there.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the bending of the grouped pipes is carried out pipe by pipe.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a station to check for leaks ( 12 ) in the individual pipes ( 4 ) is provided after the bending stations ( 3 ).  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one removal robot is provided which is able to remove and/or collect pipes ( 4 ).  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein several synchronous removal robots are provided.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a station with a unit for combining, grouping and/or fixing several pipes ( 4 ) bent after each other is provided.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bending stations ( 3 ) are followed by a plastic injection unit.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bending stations ( 3 ) are followed by a unit ( 11 ) for applying flanges, screw connections and/or hoses ( 15 ).  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein installation ( 11 ) and testing assemblies ( 12 ) provided after the bending stations ( 3 ) are located on robot arms.